Project Manager, Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)

Lockwood Andrews & Newnam•Houston, TX

About The Position

The SUE Project Manager is responsible for managing subsurface utility engineering and utility coordination projects from initial planning through design and construction. This position leads project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, technical execution, quality control, client communication, and coordination with utility owners and project stakeholders. The Project Manager will oversee the development and delivery of Quality Level D through Quality Level A SUE services and lead utility coordination efforts to identify, evaluate, and resolve utility conflicts. The successful candidate may be a licensed Professional Engineer or an experienced non-licensed utility professional; however, both candidates must demonstrate the technical knowledge, leadership ability, and experience necessary to independently manage SUE and utility coordination assignments. This position will also support client development, proposal preparation, staff development, and the continued growth of the firm’s SUE and utility coordination practice.

Requirements

High School Diploma
At least ten years of experience in the field of subsurface utility engineering and/or utility coordination
PE license and 6 years of experience may substitute

Nice To Haves

Experience managing SUE and utility coordination assignments for TxDOT, municipalities, counties, transit agencies, river authorities, or other Texas public agencies and private clients.
Knowledge of utility accommodation, utility coordination, and right-of-way processes.
Experience with utility conflict matrices, utility engineering investigations, utility adjustment concepts, relocation schedules and agreements.
Experience managing Quality Level B designating and Quality Level A test-hole efforts, including traffic control, permitting and surveying.
Familiarity with AutoCAD/Civil 3D, MicroStation/OpenRoads, ArcGIS, and related design or document-management platforms.
Experience supporting business development, client relationships, proposal preparation, fee negotiations, and project interviews.
Experience developing SUE or utility coordination procedures, quality-control processes, training materials, or technical standards.

Responsibilities

Manage SUE and utility coordination projects from scope development and fee preparation through final delivery and project closeout.
Establish project scope, schedule, budget, staffing needs, deliverables, quality requirements, and communication protocols.
Direct the execution of SUE services in accordance with applicable standards, including ASCE 38-22 and client-specific requirements.
Plan and oversee Quality Level D records research, Quality Level C surface-feature surveys, Quality Level B utility designating, and Quality Level A test-hole investigations.
Develop SUE work plans that support design milestones and provide utility information in time for critical design decisions.
Coordinate field crews, engineers, designers, and specialty service providers.
Review utility records, field data, survey information, test-hole data, utility mapping, reports, and other technical deliverables for completeness and consistency.
Establish and implement project-specific quality assurance and quality control procedures.
Lead coordination with utility owners, public agencies, design teams, contractors, property owners, and other project stakeholders.
Develop and maintain utility contact lists, records-request logs, utility conflict matrices, action-item logs, meeting minutes, and project correspondence.
Identify potential utility conflicts and work with the design team and utility owners to evaluate avoidance, minimization, protection, accommodation, or relocation strategies.
Coordinate utility adjustment requirements, relocation concepts, schedules, cost estimates, agreements, permitting, right-of-way needs, and construction sequencing, as applicable.
Facilitate utility coordination meetings and clearly communicate responsibilities, decisions, deadlines, and unresolved issues.
Track project progress, budgets, labor utilization, subcontractor costs, invoicing, accruals, earned revenue, and estimates to complete.
Identify changes in scope, schedule, or level of effort and prepare amendments or additional-service requests when appropriate.
Proactively identify project risks, resolve technical and coordination issues, and develop contingency plans.
Prepare and deliver progress reports, technical memoranda, proposals, presentations, and other project documentation.
Serve as the primary point of contact for clients and maintain responsive, professional communication throughout the project.
Delegate work to appropriate team members and hold staff and subcontractors accountable for assigned responsibilities.
Mentor and develop junior staff.
Support workload planning and coordination across multiple offices and project teams.
Develop and maintain relationships with clients, utility owners, teaming partners, and subconsultants.
Assist with the development and implementation of SUE and utility coordination procedures, standards, templates, training, and best practices.
Perform occasional field visits to assess project conditions, support field operations, meet with stakeholders, and verify that work is being performed in accordance with project requirements.
Perform other duties as assigned.