Principal - Water/Wastewater - Design Center
Apex Companies · Houston, TX
- On site
- Full-time
- $150,000 / year
- Houston, TX
Job highlights
- Lead water/wastewater design center build-out.
- Recruit, develop, and lead engineering teams.
- Oversee infrastructure project design delivery.
- Drive technical excellence and process innovation.
- Shape organizational delivery and enable growth.
About the role
Principal - Water/Wastewater - Design Center Lead
Are you driven to grow, lead, and make a meaningful impact? At Apex Companies, 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.
The Opportunity
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.
What You’ll Do
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 the US.
Apex Job Title: Principal
Req ID: 11680
We believe in equality for all and celebrate the diversity and differences of our employees, customers, and communities. We do not discriminate based on gender, race or color, ethnicity or national origin, age, disability, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law. Apex aims to make apexcos.com accessible to all users. If you have a disability or special need that requires accommodation to navigate our website or complete the application process, please contact Talent@apexcos.com or (301) 417-0200. Likewise, feel free to reach out to us if you would like to view or discuss Apex policy related to equal employment opportunity or have any related concerns. EO/AA/VEV/Disabled Employer
TO ALL RECRUITMENT AGENCIES: Apex Companies does not accept unsolicited agency resumes. Please do not forward resumes for any of our job postings to our career’s sites, or to any employees of Apex Companies or affiliates. Apex Companies is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes.
Key skills/competency
- Water/Wastewater Engineering
- Design Center Leadership
- Project Management
- Team Building
- Business Strategy
- Operational Efficiency
- Client Relations
- Quality Control
- Innovation
- Talent Development
Skills & topics
- Principal
- Water
- Wastewater
- Engineering
- Design Center
- Leadership
- Project Management
- Infrastructure
- AEC Industry
- Hiring
How to get hired
- Tailor your resume: Highlight 15+ years of water/wastewater engineering, project delivery, and leadership experience. Emphasize team building and scaling operations.
- Showcase your vision: Prepare to discuss your strategy for building and growing a design center from the ground up. Demonstrate your entrepreneurial mindset.
- Quantify your impact: Provide examples of how you've driven technical excellence, improved operational efficiency, and managed project profitability.
- Research Apex Companies: Understand their growth, culture, and commitment to client satisfaction and employee development.
- Prepare for leadership questions: Be ready to discuss your approach to talent development, fostering collaboration, and driving accountability.
Technical preparation
Behavioral questions
Frequently asked questions
- What is the primary goal of the Principal - Water/Wastewater Design Center Lead role at Apex Companies?
- The primary goal is to strategically build, scale, and lead a high-performing Design Center focused on water and wastewater infrastructure, establishing a center of excellence for technical delivery, innovation, and operational efficiency across Apex Companies.
- What level of experience is required for the Principal - Water/Wastewater position?
- A minimum of 15 years of experience in water/wastewater engineering and project/program delivery is required, along with proven experience leading teams, projects, or operations at scale.
- Is a Professional Engineer (PE) license mandatory for this Principal role at Apex Companies?
- While a Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred, it is not strictly mandatory. However, it is a strong asset for this Principal - Water/Wastewater Design Center Lead position.
- What kind of team will the Principal - Water/Wastewater Design Center Lead manage?
- You will be responsible for recruiting, developing, and leading high-performing engineering teams, including EITs, PEs, designers, and project managers within the water and wastewater domain.
- How does Apex Companies support employee growth in this Principal role?
- Apex Companies invests in employee development through cross-training, opportunities to work on diverse projects, and by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement, alongside benefits like tuition assistance.
- What is the work arrangement for the Principal - Water/Wastewater position?
- While not explicitly stated, the description focuses on building and leading a centralized design center that supports multiple regions, suggesting a significant leadership presence is required. It's likely a hybrid or on-site role, depending on the specific needs of the design center's location.
- What makes this Principal role at Apex Companies unique?
- This role is a build-and-scale opportunity, offering the autonomy to shape how engineering work is delivered, enable organizational growth, and elevate the company's overall impact, rather than a traditional leadership position.
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