Senior Program Manager - Water Well Engineering & Capital Projects (Bakersfield)

Senior Program Manager – Water Well Engineering & Capital Projects

Hybrid – San Jose, CA | Los Angeles, CA | Bakersfield, CA | Chico, CA | Full-Time

Estimated Duration: 24 months, then conversion to direct hire with utility

About the Role

Our client, a major California water utility, is seeking a Senior Program Manager – Water Well Engineering & Capital Projects to lead a portfolio of drinking water well projects across planning, design, construction, and startup. This role is ideal for an engineering-trained Program Manager with hands-on experience in water well development, groundwater systems, and California permitting requirements.

You will oversee the full lifecycle delivery of new well construction, well rehabilitation, and groundwater treatment integration, working closely with engineering consultants, drilling contractors, hydrogeologists, and internal utility stakeholders. Success in this role requires a strong blend of technical engineering fluency, program management discipline, and California regulatory expertise, particularly in CEQA and county-level well permitting.

This is a high-impact, senior-level position driving mission-critical water supply infrastructure that directly supports system reliability and long-term resource resilience.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead full lifecycle delivery of new potable water wells, well rehabilitation, and groundwater infrastructure projects
• Provide technical oversight for well design, drilling plans, construction methodologies, and rehabilitation strategies
• Coordinate closely with engineering, environmental, operations, and construction teams
• Direct the work of drilling contractors, hydrogeologists, engineering consultants, and construction partners
• Maintain integrated schedules (MS Project), risk registers, budgets, and Power BI dashboards
• Manage contract performance, scope evolution, change orders, and field issues
• Ensure engineering standards and technical requirements are met in planning, design, and construction
• Oversee and coordinate all aspects of California well permitting, including:
• CEQA compliance (IS/MND, EIR support)
• County Environmental Health Department well permits
• RWQCB-related discharge, dewatering, and groundwater conditions
• Encroachment, CUP, and related agency interactions
• Prepare and deliver executive-level reports and program summaries

Minimum Qualifications

• Engineering background required (civil, mechanical, or related discipline)
• 7+ years of program or project management experience in capital infrastructure
• Hands-on experience with water wells (e.g., drilling, design, rehab, groundwater investigations, pumping systems)
• Direct familiarity with California well permitting and environmental processes — CEQA, county well permits, environmental health, groundwater conditions, or related regulatory requirements
• Experience coordinating with multiple agencies and permitting stakeholders
• Strong contractor, consultant, and cross-functional leadership skills
• Proficiency with MS Project and Power BI

Preferred Qualifications

• California PE Certification
• Experience working for a California water utility, groundwater consulting firm, or engineering consultancy
• PMP, PgMP, or equivalent project leadership credential
• Exposure to groundwater treatment, PFAS, or aquifer recharge projects
• Experience writing or reviewing technical engineering documents

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $185,000-$255,000 per year
• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA) with generous employer funding for premiums and eligible health expenses
• 401(k) with 6% company match, fully vested immediately
• Paid holidays, sick leave, and vacation time (2–4 weeks annually depending on tenure)
• Access to employee discount programs for travel, retail, and entertainment
• Opportunities for professional development and growth
• A supportive and collaborative work environment