SUE Engineering Manager

ESP Associates, Inc. (ESP) is seeking a SUE Engineering Manager to lead and manage Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE) services for transportation and civil infrastructure projects across multiple states. This role carries direct responsibility for utility coordination support and oversees SUE scope, quality, schedule, budget, and client deliverables. The SUE Engineering Manager will coordinate with utility owners, DOT and local agencies, design teams, survey crews, and geophysics crews to reduce utility risk and improve constructability.

Responsibilities:

Lead SUE delivery for multi-discipline projects, including scope development, staffing plans, schedules, budgets, and oversight of field-to-office workflows.

Manage utility coordination activities:

identify utility owners, initiate contact, request records, coordinate meetings, track responses, and support conflict resolution with design and construction stakeholders. Oversee SUE investigations consistent with ASCE 38 (current edition): quality level strategy (QL-D through QL-A), utility designating, locating, vacuum excavation test holes, and data integration. Develop and review deliverables including utility base maps, SUE plans/utility exhibits, test hole logs, utility conflict matrices, risk registers, and coordination logs. Ensure TxDOT and local agency compliance with project requirements (as applicable), standards, and submittal formats; support PS&E milestones and design reviews. Provide QA/QC leadership by implementing SUE and utility coordination quality plans, checking drafting/CAD/GIS outputs, and ensuring accurate depiction of horizontal and vertical utility information and metadata. Serve as primary point of contact for assigned client accounts; participate in scoping, proposals, change orders, and progress reporting. Lead, mentor, and develop project managers, SUE coordinators, and technicians; support recruiting, onboarding, training, and performance feedback. Enforce field safety practices (traffic control awareness, confined space as applicable, excavation safety, and equipment use) and promote a strong safety culture. Refine standard operating procedures, templates, and metrics for productivity, quality, and utility risk reduction. Conduct marketing activities across multiple states and platforms. Represent ESP through presentations across various platforms and audiences.

Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Geomatics, or related field preferred. Minimum of [X] years of experience in subsurface utility engineering or utility coordination. Strong working knowledge of ASCE 38 quality levels and SUE field methods. Experience managing TxDOT or other DOT projects, including PS&E and utility agreement processes. Proficiency in CAD and/or GIS platforms used in SUE deliverable production. Demonstrated experience leading project teams and managing client relationships. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Ability to travel as needed for project coordination and marketing activities. Must pass a background check, drug screening, and have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the company's driving (MVR) policy.

Corporate Information:

ESP is a multi-discipline engineering design and consulting firm providing clients with civil engineering, surveying, planning/landscape architecture, geosciences, environmental, subsurface utility engineering, and construction engineering inspection services. Through years of dedicated service to our clients, ESP has received a designation of 195 on the 2025 ENR Top 500 Design Firm rankings. For our primary territory, the ENR Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms, ESP received a 2025 ranking of 52. ESP offers an excellent employee benefits package including: Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility after 60 days) PTO (Paid Time Off) & 10 Paid Holidays VTO (Volunteer Time Off) of 4 hours each year (prorated during first year based on hire date) Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days) Behavioral Medicine through Teladoc Short-Term Disability Insurance (Employer paid) Long-Term Disability Insurance Life Insurance Pet Insurance Education Reimbursement Opportunities Flexible and Dependent Benefits Plan Referral Bonuses