Local Service Lead - Transportation Drainage Lead

Westwood Professional Services, Inc.

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is searching for a Local Service Transportation Drainage Lead in Houston, TX to drive and grow our water resources and transportation engineering practices.  The ideal candidate will have 6-10+ years of experience and a strong background in the analysis and design of drainage infrastructure projects, including but not limited to culverts, bridges, storm sewers, open channels/bar ditches, and scour analysis.  The candidate will work closely work with Transportation project teams to ensure designs meet technical regulatory, and project standards, supporting safe and effective drainage management with the transportation infrastructure.  The leadership role involves strategic planning, team development, innovation, and collaboration to enhance our market presence and technical excellence.  Join Westwood to lead a dedicated team, leveraging industry trends and innovative solutions to significantly impact our projects and communities.

You will be joining a 2024 Top Work Place and play key role in leading and shaping our Water Resources Engineering/Transportation Team

This position will help expand our Texas markets, including Houston. This pivotal role offers the opportunity to lead and develop and grow our local practice, driving excellence, innovation, and efficiency.

• Conduct detailed hydrologic and hydraulic analysis for Transportation (TxDOT, Municipal, County) projects, focusing on drainage infrastructure such as culverts, bridges, storm sewer systems, open channels and bar ditches.
• Perform scour analysis and floodplain impact studies to assess and mitigate the risks of erosion and flooding.
• Develop and review drainage design plans, specifications, and calculations for compliance with TxDOT, Municipal, and County standards and relevant environmental regulations.
• Utilized design software (e.g., HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, MicroStation, GeoPak Drainage) to create efficient, accurate designs.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including structural, roadway, and environmental engineers, to integrate drainage designs into larger transportation projects.
• Provide technical expertise and recommendations to project teams and clients on drainage-related issues and solutions.
• Manage and review project documentation, ensuring accuracy and compliance with TxDOT and local (municipal, county) standards.
• Assist in preparing cost estimates and schedules for drainage components of transportation projects.
• Support field teams during project inspections and construction phases, ensuring adherence to design specifications.

• Exceptional communication skills, capable of engaging effectively at all organizational levels.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and a deep understanding of the water resources consulting business as it relates to the Transportation discipline.
• Proven experience with TxDOT drainage design standards and guidelines.
• Proficiency with design and analysis software (HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, MicroStation, GeoPak Drainage, or similar).
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment and adapt to evolving project requirements.
• Proven track record in technical project management within the water resources or related sectors.
• Willingness to travel as needed to project sites and other Westwood offices nationwide.

• 6+ years of progressive experience in design, project management, and client management, with a focus on drainage infrastructure design.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Texas

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.

Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.

We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision. We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make. 

We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work. 

Join us in creating a better world.

In 2023, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #12 and #30, respectively, on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood two national 2nd place awards for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #79 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2023. The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.