Deputy Director, Design and Construction (Tunnel)

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Summary:

Oversees the management of engineering, design, and construction projects related to the Tunnel Program and rehabilitation and capital improvement of other water and wastewater facilities and infrastructure. Applies professional engineering principles and exercises independent engineering judgment. Manages professional staff in the Tunnel Program.

Posting Period: 8/31/2026 to 9/14/2026
Location: Chelsea, MA
Salary: $180,000.00 - $187,000.00 Annually
Work Schedule: Monday - Friday 8:00am - 4:00pm

Key Responsibilities

• Serves as the lead design manager during the design of the tunnel systems related to the Tunnel Program, including developing detail designs and/or reviewing designs received from consultant engineering firms which involves the oversight and management of schedules and budgets.
• Participates in consultant selection procedures and contract negotiations for projects. Additionally, oversees applicable phases of consultant selection for assigned projects including development of scope of services, specifications, cost estimates, work schedules, negotiations, and preparations of contract award recommendations.
• Supervises professional multi-disciplinary design work of large and complex projects applying professional engineering principles and exercising independent judgment.
• Oversees the work of professional engineering consultants for large complex projects, including all work products for quality of work, budget, schedule, and compliance with contractual terms and MWRA objectives and policies.
• Reviews work of professional engineering consultants related to all aspects of final design of the tunnel system, connections to existing MWRA systems, long term operations, permits, design reports, and contract documents (plans and specifications).
• Performs engineering analysis, prepares engineering documents, and writes project reports.
• Identifies, schedules, tracts, and monitors all permit needs for the Tunnel Program. Ensures compliance with permit requirements.
• Identifies stakeholder requirements associated with the Tunnel Program. Ensures stakeholder requirements are appropriately incorporated into the final designs and contract documents, and implemented during construction.
• Oversees and monitors key performance indicators to ensure budgets and schedules are met and develops corrective actions.
• Oversees the preparation, update, and maintenance of integrated project/program schedules for engineering/design, procurement, construction, and commissioning/closeout.
• Determines cost and schedule impacts associated with risks that have been identified for the Program.
• Directs preparation of Program cost estimates. Prepares and updates construction budget and schedule projections.
• Oversees and monitors quality management during design and construction phases. Ensures that Quality Assurance/Quality Control practices and procedures are followed by the project team through project audits and surveillance.
• Oversees constructability and value engineering reviews of design submittals.
• Manages professional staff including assigning projects, evaluating performance and planning staff development.
• Addresses community and professional organizations and maintains liaison with other agencies.
• Assists with compliance with MWRA procedures and policies, local, state, and federal environmental regulatory requirements and applicable engineering standards.
• In coordination with MWRA senior staff, supports all project activities and coordinates with MWRA divisions and departments, outside regulatory and permitting agencies and communities, as appropriate.
• Works collegially with and coordinates with staff in other MWRA divisions and departments and advances the goals, objectives and strategies of the MWRA business plan.
• Assists in implementing the goals and commitments of MWRA in the areas of customer services, economy and efficiency, health and safety, emergency response and security, integrity, and public trust.
• Manages the department in a manner that is consistent with MWRA's goals of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
• Oversees the recruiting, professional development, training, and performance evaluation of staff for assigned department.
• Performs other related duties as required.

Required Qualifications

• A Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or geotechnical engineering, or associated engineering field is required; advanced degree or other significant post-graduate educational experience in an engineering discipline preferred; and
• At least eleven (11) years demonstrated success in progressively responsible positions in environmental or engineering design, project management, and/or construction functions relating to large water distribution systems, large wastewater collections systems and/or other large civil works systems including at least five (5) years in a managerial capacity; or
• Any equivalent combination of education or experience.
• A valid Massachusetts Class D Motor Vehicle Operators License or driver's license from another state.
• A Registered Massachusetts Professional Engineer license is preferred.
• Certified Project Management Professional (PMP) by the Project Management Institute is preferred.
• This position has been designated as essential in instances where the MWRA Executive Director requires essential personnel to report to work such as inclement weather or other emergencies.
• This position is eligible for up to 50% telework.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Experience in project management, project controls, risk management, contract administration and/or claims management in a public sector environment is preferred. Experience using alternative delivery methods on large complex projects is preferred. Design or construction experience on megaprojects (i.e., projects over $1B) is preferred.
• Knowledge of principles of and practices of civil, environmental, geotechnical or tunneling engineering.
• Advanced understanding of issues related to design, construction and operation of large and complex facilities and infrastructure.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a senior leadership position of a collaborative project team and to function independently with minimal supervision.
• Demonstrated understanding of Massachusetts bidding laws, including MGL Chapter 30 and Chapter 149 construction bidding regulations.
• Knowledge of environmental regulations and permitting requirements.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Exceptional leadership and project management skills.
• Excellent interpersonal, written, and oral and communication skills.

Tools and Equipment Used

Office equipment as normally associated with a professional office environment, including the use of telephones, personal computers, typical office software, email, videoconference applications, copiers, scanners and fax machines.

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, feel or operate objects, tools, or controls and reach with hands and arms. The employee occasionally is required to sit, stand and walk. The employee is frequently required to climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; taste or smell.
The employee must frequently lift and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.
While performing the duties of this job, the employee regularly works in an office environment.
The employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions. The employee occasionally works near moving mechanical parts and is occasionally exposed to wet and/or humid conditions and vibration. The employee occasionally works in high, precarious places and is occasionally exposed to fumes or airborne particles, toxic or caustic chemicals, and risk of electrical shock.
The noise level in the work environment is usually loud in field settings, and moderately quiet in office settings.

Supervision Received and Exercised

Works under the general supervision of the Director of Design and Construction (Tunnel).
Directly manages the Manager, Design as well as other Tunnel Department professional staff and consultants.

Other Position Information
PCR: 3640013
Division: Operations
Department: Tunnel Redundancy
Union/Grade: Non-Union/Grade 15

Massachusetts Water Resources Authority (MWRA) is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, sex or gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or veteran status.