Director of Engineering

About the role

The Director of Engineering is responsible for the strategic leadership, operational management, financial performance, and growth of the firm's engineering operations, including both Civil/Land Development and Water/Wastewater practice areas. This leader oversees engineering staff, project delivery, business development, client relationships, resource planning, budgeting, and operational excellence across multiple offices and disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Leadership
• Develop and execute the engineering division's strategic plan in alignment with corporate objectives.
• Establish annual growth, revenue, profitability, staffing, and operational goals.
• Provide leadership and direction for Civil/Land Development and Water/Wastewater business units.
• Identify new market opportunities, service offerings, and geographic expansion initiatives.
• Participate in executive leadership planning and decision-making.
• Operational Management
• Direct the overall operations of engineering departments and project teams.
• Ensure consistent project execution, quality control, and adherence to company standards.
• Monitor key performance indicators (KPIs), utilization rates, project profitability, backlog, and resource allocation.
• Drive process improvements that increase efficiency and project delivery effectiveness.
• Develop and implement best practices for project management and engineering operations.
• Financial Management & Budgeting
• Develop and manage annual departmental budgets.
• Monitor revenues, expenses, profitability, and forecasting.
• Review project financial performance and implement corrective actions when necessary.
• Support pricing strategy, contract reviews, and project risk management.
• Ensure achievement of revenue, margin, and growth objectives.
• Staff Leadership & Talent Development
• Lead, mentor, and develop engineering managers, project managers, and technical staff.
• Oversee workforce planning, recruitment, retention, succession planning, and organizational development.
• Conduct performance evaluations and establish individual development plans.
• Foster a culture focused on accountability, safety, innovation, and professional growth.
• Support employee engagement and retention initiatives.
• Client Development & Relationship Management
• Build and maintain strong relationships with municipal, commercial, industrial, and development clients.
• Serve as an executive-level point of contact for key accounts and strategic projects.
• Lead major pursuits, presentations, proposals, and negotiations.
• Support business development efforts and identify opportunities for revenue growth.
• Increase client satisfaction through exceptional project execution and responsiveness.
• Project Oversight
• Provide executive oversight of engineering projects and programs.
• Ensure projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with contractual requirements.
• Monitor project risks, staffing demands, and workload allocation.
• Review and resolve escalated project issues and client concerns.
• Champion quality assurance and quality control initiatives.
• Risk Management & Compliance
• Ensure compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Oversee engineering standards and professional practice requirements.
• Mitigate operational, contractual, and project risks.
• Promote workplace safety and regulatory compliance.
• Support legal and contractual review processes as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil, Environmental, or related Engineering discipline required.
• Master's Degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) required.
• Florida PE License required or ability to obtain through reciprocity.
• 15+ years of progressive engineering experience.
• 7+ years of leadership experience managing engineering teams.
• Experience overseeing multiple engineering disciplines.
• Demonstrated success leading engineering operations and project delivery.
• Proven business development and client management experience.
• Experience managing departmental budgets, staffing plans, and financial performance.