Civil Engineer Project Manager - Drainage
Christopher B. Burke Engineering · Chicago, Illinois, United States ·
- Employment
- Fellowship
- Category
- Project management
- Experience
- 7+ years
- Company size
- 501-1000
Lead civil engineering drainage projects in Chicagoland, managing teams and budgets while ensuring quality design and client delivery.
If you enjoy solving technical challenges, managing multidisciplinary teams, and guiding projects from concept through completion, this opportunity puts you at the center of impactful work across the Chicagoland area.
At CBBEL, our values guide everything we do:
Integrity – We follow through on our promises.
Excellence – We’re always learning, growing, and raising the bar.
Fellowship – We support each other like a true team.
Resilience – We stay steady even when challenges arise.
Collaboration – We bring our best when we work together.
Sound like your kind of environment? Let’s dive into the details.
What You’ll Do
- Lead and manage the Drainage team across multiple projects, ensuring top‑quality design and documentation.
- Direct project planning, tracking, scoping, and change management while keeping timelines and budgets on target.
- Serve as the primary contact for clients, subconsultants, and internal teams.
- Make independent, experience-based design decisions and champion value engineering, optimization, and innovative solutions.
- Develop proposals, set project budgets, and ensure deliverables meet design standards and scope.
- Oversee QA/QC, contract review, monthly invoices, progress reports, and financial tracking.
- Mentor Drainage Engineers, Project Engineers, and Lead Project Engineers in their technical and professional growth.
- Drive client relationship development, including outreach, feedback loops, and identifying new business opportunities.
- Participate in networking, professional organizations, and industry events to strengthen CBBEL’s presence and build future talent pipelines.
- Support staffing planning, policy adherence, and department-wide initiatives.
What You Bring
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field
- Experience managing multiple projects over extended periods
- At least 7 years of relevant experience
- Strong leadership, communication, and team-building skills
- Ability to mentor engineering staff
- Experience with Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, preferably MicroStation
- Strong communication, organization, and problem-solving skills
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively
- Attention to detail and a commitment to quality
Not Sure You’re a Perfect Match?
If you have drainage or civil design experience, enjoy leading teams, and want to grow your imprint on projects that serve communities, we encourage you to apply. Bring your leadership and initiative - we’ll bring support, mentorship, and opportunities to advance.
Why Join CBBEL?
CBBEL is a full-service civil engineering firm with more than 250 professionals committed to delivering accurate, timely and cost-effective solutions to a wide range of engineering and environmental challenges. One out of every three team members has been with us for more than 20 years, demonstrating how our values create a place where people want to grow.
Our team serves as Municipal Engineer for 26 communities and supports hundreds of public and private sector clients with planning, design, and construction services. We boast a highly talented, experienced and educated team and are proud of our successful, long-term relationships with a wide variety of clients throughout Chicagoland. When you join us, you’ll find:
- Clear progression pathways
- Supportive mentorship and hands-on project exposure across multiple disciplines
- Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance, generous PTO, 401(k) matching, and discretionary year-end bonuses
- A collaborative team that values your ideas, supports your career goals, and celebrates shared success