Chief Engineer

$240,000 - $280,000/Yr

Kennedy/Jenks Consultants - Dallas, TX

Full-time - Senior

Hybrid - Dallas, TX

Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services

About the position

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a collaborative and influential Chief Engineer to serve as a responsible, strategic leader with the authority to lead, validate, direct, and develop technical standards and approaches for the delivery of engineering services. This role encompasses various methodologies including conventional design-bid-build, design-build, engineering during construction, and aspects of construction management. The Chief Engineer will play a pivotal role in assessing, developing, and implementing necessary changes to the company's technical practices and processes to continuously evolve all aspects of project delivery within the organization. A necessary focus is the minimization of organizational risk through the development and continuous improvement of the firm's design processes, templates, and standards, as well as enhancing the understanding and capabilities in identifying and managing contract and project risk. The Chief Engineer will be empowered to oversee and develop systems, tools, processes, and policies that adhere to company standards and enforce accountability around the application of these standards to the products developed for clients. This position requires continual assessment of the adequacy and relevance of the firm's technical standards, processes, and approaches, updating and developing new technical standards as necessary. The Chief Engineer will also lead a Standards Committee that reviews data on necessary changes to the firm's design standards and approaches, focusing on risk mitigation and project efficiency. In addition, the Chief Engineer will set standard evaluation processes that aggregate corporate experience and judgment regarding unique and emerging technologies for application on company projects. Collaboration with Construction Management Leads is essential to develop and maintain processes for construction phase management, project engagement, and issue resolution. The role also involves developing a monthly Technical Learning Program aimed at sharing key aspects of technical advancements and project delivery approaches among the firm's technical staff. The Chief Engineer will provide strategic direction on technical aspects of projects, review proposals, and maintain processes for quality assurance and quality control (QAQC) across all projects, ensuring compliance with approved processes.

Responsibilities

• Assess, develop, and implement necessary changes to company technical practices and processes.
• Minimize organizational risk through the development and continuous improvement of design processes, templates, and standards.
• Oversee and develop systems, tools, processes, and policies that adhere to company standards.
• Continually assess the adequacy and relevance of the firm's technical standards and update as necessary.
• Lead a Standards Committee to review and update design standards and approaches.
• Set standard evaluation processes for emerging technologies applicable to company projects.
• Collaborate with Construction Management Leads to develop processes for construction phase management and issue resolution.
• Develop and manage a monthly Technical Learning Program for sharing technical advancements and project delivery approaches.
• Provide strategic direction on technical aspects of projects during pursuit or delivery stages.
• Review scope, schedule, budget, and staffing for large and complex proposals.
• Develop and maintain QAQC processes for all projects in accordance with approved standards.
• Collaborate with the Project Management Office to ensure QAQC processes are applied to each project.
• Chair the Risk Committee and manage risk assessment discussions.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or similar engineering field required.
• Master's degree strongly preferred.
• Practical PM and PE required.
• 20+ years of experience in water/wastewater design through construction and project delivery.
• Deep understanding of the design process and application of engineering-related software including AutoCAD, MicroStation, Civil3D, Revit, and Microsoft Products.
• Ability to read, analyze, and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, government regulations, reports, plans, specifications, and standards.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a team member.
• Ability to communicate and influence decisions at all organizational levels.

Nice-to-haves

• Experience with green infrastructure design and sustainable solutions.
• Familiarity with advanced analytics and technology in engineering.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance
• 401k
• Bonus opportunities
• Tuition reimbursement
• Professional registration support
• Competitive PTO and holiday plan
• Other benefits and programs