Senior Project Manager - Marine Structures

KCI is an employee-owned engineering, consulting, and construction firm serving clients throughout the United States. The Senior Project Manager will provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for complex marine inspection, forensic engineering, condition assessment, failure investigation, and rehabilitation programs across coastal and waterfront structures. The role also manages multidisciplinary teams, client relationships, project finances, safety and compliance, technical deliverables, and business development.

Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage marine inspection and forensic engineering projects, including above-water and underwater condition assessments, routine and special inspections, damage investigations, load ratings, and remaining service life evaluations
• Direct multidisciplinary teams consisting of engineer-divers, marine structural engineers, geotechnical and coastal engineers, NDT technicians, surveyors, and materials specialists
• Develop and communicate comprehensive inspection work plans, defining scope, level of effort, access methods, documentation standards, dive safety requirements, and reporting deliverables
• Manage project scope and change control, particularly when field findings expand the investigation beyond the original scope
• Develop and maintain project schedules, proactively identifying risks related to tides, currents, water clarity, weather windows, vessel traffic, and facility operations
• Oversee project budgets and cash flow, with attention to inspection-specific cost drivers such as dive spreads, vessel and barge support, specialty testing, and laboratory work
• Serve as the primary client liaison for port authorities, municipalities, state DOTs, USACE, NAVFAC, USCG, private terminal operators, and facility owners
• Apply deep knowledge of marine deterioration mechanisms — corrosion and section loss, marine borer attack, timber decay, concrete spalling and delamination, chloride intrusion, fatigue, scour and undermining, vessel impact, and overload — to interpret findings and advise clients
• Lead forensic investigations of marine structural failures, distress, and damage events, including vessel allisions, storm and surge damage, collapse, and progressive deterioration
• Establish root cause through field observation, materials testing, structural analysis, review of design and construction records, and reconstruction of loading conditions
• Prepare clear, defensible forensic reports suitable for owners, insurers, and legal proceedings
• Provide expert witness and litigation support, including depositions, testimony, and technical rebuttal, as needed
• Advise clients on emergency response, interim stabilization, and load restrictions following damage events
• Mentor and develop Project Managers, engineers, and engineer-divers within the Marine group, strengthening KCI's internal inspection and forensic expertise
• Ensure compliance with KCI policies, the Quality Management System (QMS), and marine inspection best practices
• Lead development and implementation of dive and overwater safety plans, including compliance with ADCI Consensus Standards, OSHA commercial diving regulations (29 CFR 1910 Subpart T), and USCG requirements
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Federal, state, and local regulations and inspection protocols, including USACE, NAVFAC UFC waterfront inspection criteria, NBIS requirements for underwater bridge inspection, and state and port authority standards
• Negotiate contracts, scopes, and fees with clients, subconsultants, dive contractors, and testing laboratories
• Prepare and manage client and subconsultant contracts
• Achieve or exceed utilization targets (typically 70–80%) while supporting practice growth
• Track and report project performance metrics, budgets, WIP, AR, and cash flow monthly
• Prepare monthly project progress and completion reports and present results at Project Review Meetings
• Identify opportunities to improve efficiency through improved inspection technology, data collection methods, and reporting workflows
• Serve as a key leader in growing KCI's marine inspection and forensic practice, identifying opportunities in asset management programs, multi-year inspection contracts, resiliency assessments, and post-event response work
• Participate in go/no-go decisions, teaming strategies, and preparation of inspection-focused proposals and SOQs
• Lead and support client presentations, pursuit strategies, and interviews
• Strengthen relationships with port authorities, coastal municipalities, maritime agencies, insurers, and facility owners
• Support marketing efforts through project write-ups, photography, technical thought leadership, and conference participation
• Actively participate in at least one marine, maritime, coastal, or industry organization (e.g., PIANC, ASCE Coasts, Oceans, Ports & Rivers Institute, AMPP, ADCI, CMAA)
• Provide full oversight of inspection, assessment, and forensic deliverables required by contract
• Conduct and oversee site visits, underwater and above-water inspections, and field assessments in active waterfront and marine environments
• Oversee application of inspection and testing methods, including Level I/II/III underwater inspection, ultrasonic thickness testing, half-cell potential and corrosion surveys, concrete coring and chloride sampling, timber probing and boring, GPR, sonar and hydrographic survey, and photogrammetry or LiDAR documentation
• Review and interpret construction drawings, specifications, geotechnical reports, hydrographic surveys, and historical inspection records to establish baseline conditions
• Compare field conditions and inspection data to original design assumptions and identify deviations, deficiencies, and rates of deterioration
• Lead or oversee preparation of condition assessment reports, structural evaluations, load ratings, repair and rehabilitation plans, and prioritized capital planning recommendations
• Maintain current knowledge of applicable codes and standards, including ASCE Waterfront Facilities Inspection and Assessment, AASHTO, ACI, AISC, USACE Engineer Manuals, UFC criteria, PIANC guidance, and ASTM testing standards

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in related field (AEC Industry) and minimum of 6 years of related professional experience, or 10 years of equivalent professional experience
• Experience should include a track record of expanding project management duties
• Proven experience in project management roles, with a focus on managing larger-scale projects or programs
• Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with clients, team members, and stakeholders
• Proficiency in project management software and tools, with the ability to develop and maintain comprehensive project plans and documentation
• Knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to project management, quality assurance, and safety protocols
• Effective problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement solutions in a fast-paced environment
• Strong negotiation skills to manage contracts, scope changes, and stakeholder agreements effectively
• Strong understanding of accounting principles to effectively manage project budgets, financial reporting, and resource allocation
• Ability to complete the KCI PM Training and Contract Risk Training along with passing the PM Board within 6 months of start date
• Master's Degree in related field (AEC Industry)