Principal - Water/Wastewater - Design Center

About the role

As a Principal Design Center Lead, you will be responsible for establishing and growing a centralized design capability that supports projects across multiple regions. You will define the vision, build the team, and implement the processes, tools, and culture needed to deliver high-quality, efficient, and scalable engineering solutions. This role blends technical leadership, business strategy, and people development-ideal for a leader who thrives on building something from the ground up and driving measurable impact.

Responsibilities

• Build & Scale the Design Center
• Establish the vision, structure, and operating model for a centralized design center
• Recruit, develop, and lead high-performing engineering teams (EITs, PEs, designers, PMs)
• Create scalable delivery frameworks to support multi-office and national project needs
• Project Delivery & Fiscal Oversight
• Oversee delivery of design for infrastructure projects including water and wastewater treatment, distribution/collection systems, and stormwater management.
• Ensure technical excellence, quality control, and adherence to scope, schedule, and budget.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and QA/QC oversight to project teams.
• Manage project performance, including backlog, utilization, and profitability metrics.
• Drive Technical Excellence & Delivery
• Ensure consistent, high-quality design standards across all projects
• Oversee production for water/wastewater treatment, conveyance, and infrastructure projects
• Champion innovation, digital design tools, and process efficiency improvements
• Lead Strategy & Growth
• Partner with regional and market leaders to align resources with project demand
• Drive utilization, performance metrics, and operational efficiency
• Support business development by positioning the design center as a differentiator
• Develop Talent & Culture
• Build a strong pipeline of engineering talent through mentorship and career development
• Foster a collaborative, high-accountability environment grounded in ownership and continuous improvement
• Promote a culture of learning, innovation, and inclusion
• What You Bring
• 15+ years of experience in water/wastewater engineering and project/program delivery
• Proven experience leading teams, projects, or operations at scale
• Strong understanding of design delivery models, project workflows, and quality standards
• Demonstrated ability to build and grow teams, develop leaders, and drive performance
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to build and implement new operating models
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred
• Why This Role Matters
• This is not a traditional leadership role-it is a build-and-scale opportunity. You will play a critical role in shaping how engineering work is delivered, enabling growth, improving consistency, and elevating the overall impact of the organization.
• You'll have the autonomy to lead, the support to build, and the platform to make a lasting impact across projects, teams, and clients.
• Why you'll love working for us:
• Company-subsidized medical and dental.
• Company-paid life, short, and long-term disability.
• 401k match, tuition assistance, and more.
• Cross-training and the ability to work on a variety of projects.
• Performance-based bonuses or other incentives.
• Working with the best and brightest in the industry.
• 2,000+ employee national firm with 70+ locations across th

Benefits

Additional Information

Are you driven to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact? At Apex, we're building more than a consulting and engineering firm-we're creating a place where your career accelerates, your contributions matter, and your potential is fully realized. We believe your growth is our growth, which is why we invest in your development at every stage of your career. Here, you'll work on projects that shape communities, protect the environment, and create lasting impact, all while being empowered with the autonomy and flexibility to do your best work. Fueled by high quality delivery, exceptional client retention, and strategic acquisitions, Apex Companies continues to rank among the fastest-growing firms in the AEC industry, recently recognized by the Zweig Group for our industry-leading growth. Our success is grounded in strong leadership, a collaborative culture, and a shared commitment to delivering exceptional outcomes. As we continue to grow, we're focused on building a team of high-performing professionals who are ready to lead, collaborate, and push what's possible. At Apex, you don't just join a company, you help shape what comes next. Apex Companies is hiring a Principal - Water/Wastewater to lead the build-out of a design center. We are seeking a strategic and entrepreneurial Principal-level leader to build, scale, and lead a high-performing Design Center focused on water and wastewater infrastructure. This role is a unique opportunity to shape a center of excellence that drives technical delivery, innovation, and operational efficiency across the organization.

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