Water - Wastewater Engineering Project Lead

GAI Consultants•Jacksonville, FL

1d•Hybrid

About The Position

GAI Consultants is seeking a project engineer for its Florida Water Division to lead municipal infrastructure work, build client relationships, and expand the practice. This role offers the chance to work across the full project life cycle, from planning and design through permitting, construction, and start-up, while playing a visible part in client development and practice growth. It is ideal for someone from another consulting firm who wants to move beyond execution and into broader influence, stronger career momentum, and a more strategic role.

Requirements

Approximately 10+ years of water/wastewater engineering experience, ideally in a consulting environment serving municipal clients.
Strong background in planning, design, permitting, and construction support for water and wastewater infrastructure.
Experience managing projects and coordinating directly with clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
Ability to combine technical strength, sound judgment, and client awareness to solve complex engineering challenges.
A proactive, self-directed style with interest in mentoring others and contributing to practice growth.
B.S. in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering; master’s degree preferred.
Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in Florida.
Working knowledge of tools such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS, and hydraulic/design modeling software.

Responsibilities

Lead and support planning, design, permitting, and construction-phase services for municipal water and wastewater infrastructure projects, including collection and distribution systems, pump stations, storage facilities, treatment plants, and renewal and replacement programs.
Take ownership of technical delivery across project phases, including concept development, design calculations, plans and specifications, cost estimating, permitting coordination, bid support, and construction documentation.
Manage projects and client coordination with responsibility for scope, schedule, budget, quality, and overall execution.
Lead technical tasks such as design calculations, plans preparation, hydraulic modeling, master planning, alternative analysis, project prioritization, equipment selection, and capital improvement planning.
Build strong relationships with municipal clients and support business development through opportunity identification, proposals, interviews, and presentations.
Mentor junior engineers and contribute to a collaborative, high-performing team environment.