Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

Project Overview

The Second Karachi Water and Sewerage Services Improvement Project (KWSSIP-2) is a major infrastructure and institutional reform initiative being implemented by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) with financing support from the World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), and the Government of Sindh. The program aims to improve water supply and sanitation services, strengthen utility performance, expand critical infrastructure investments, and support long-term sector reforms across Karachi. The project represents an investment of approximately USD 600 million and includes major infrastructure, institutional strengthening, and project management activities.

To support implementation of this large-scale, multi-stakeholder program, KW&SC will engage a Program Management Consultancy (PMC) team to provide strategic advisory, coordination, planning, monitoring, reporting, risk management, contract administration, and institutional strengthening support to the Project Implementation Unit (PIU).

Position Description

The Senior Water & Civil Engineer (Technical Lead) will serve as the lead technical specialist within the PMC team, providing strategic engineering guidance and technical oversight across the project portfolio. The role will support the Project Director, PIU, and Team Leader by reviewing designs, monitoring construction activities, evaluating technical performance, advising on implementation challenges, and strengthening quality management systems across water and wastewater infrastructure investments.

The Technical Lead will work closely with Design & Supervision Consultants (DSCs), contractors, utility stakeholders, and project management personnel to help ensure that project activities are delivered in accordance with approved technical standards, schedules, quality requirements, and international best practices

Please note: Local staff are required to be physically present in Karachi for at least fifty (50) percent of their allocated time input. International staff are expected to spend a minimum of fifty (50) percent of their time in Karachi to support the PIU.

*This is an anticipated position for a proposed project. Recruitment and employment are contingent upon successful project award and client approval.

Responsibilities

Technical Leadership and Engineering Advisory

• Serve as the principal technical advisor to the Team Leader, Project Director, and PIU on water supply, wastewater, and civil infrastructure matters.

• Provide technical guidance on project implementation strategies, engineering challenges, construction sequencing, and infrastructure performance.

• Support technical decision-making and recommend solutions to complex design and construction issues.

Design and Technical Reviews

• Review engineering studies, designs, specifications, reports, and technical submissions prepared by consultants and contractors.

• Assess the technical adequacy, constructability, functionality, and sustainability of proposed engineering solutions.

• Provide recommendations on design optimization, risk mitigation, and technical improvements.

Construction Monitoring and Implementation Support

• Monitor the progress of ongoing infrastructure works and identify technical constraints that could impact project delivery.

• Participate in site visits and progress reviews to verify implementation quality and compliance with project requirements.

• Support resolution of technical issues affecting project schedules, costs, and performance.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control

• Support the review and strengthening of QA/QC systems established for project implementation.

• Assess quality management processes, inspection procedures, testing protocols, and performance standards across project contracts.

• Advise project leadership on corrective actions and opportunities for continuous improvement.

Procurement and Bid Evaluation Support

• Provide technical support during the preparation and review of procurement documents for major infrastructure investments.

• Participate in technical evaluations of bids and proposals submitted by contractors, suppliers, and consulting firms.

• Assist in assessing methodologies, staffing plans, equipment proposals, and technical compliance.

Risk Management and Contract Support

• Identify engineering and implementation risks that could affect project outcomes.

• Support the development of mitigation measures and corrective action plans.

• Provide technical input related to contract administration, variations, claims, disputes, and performance management.

Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer

• Mentor and support PIU personnel to strengthen technical and project management capabilities.

• Contribute to training programs, technical workshops, and institutional strengthening initiatives.

• Support documentation of lessons learned and best practices for long-term sector development.

Skills & Abilities

• Advanced knowledge of water supply, wastewater, sewerage, and utility infrastructure systems.

• Strong understanding of engineering design principles, construction methodologies, and project delivery processes.

• Demonstrated experience reviewing complex civil and water infrastructure designs.

• Strong construction monitoring and contract administration capabilities.

• Ability to identify technical risks and develop practical, cost-effective solutions.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.

• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams and diverse stakeholder groups.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of technical reports and recommendations.

• Familiarity with international quality management standards and engineering best practices.

• Fluency in English.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering.

• Master's Degree in Civil Engineering, Sanitary Engineering, Water and Wastewater Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related discipline. Candidates possessing only a Bachelor's degree may be considered if accompanied by exceptional relevant experience.

• Minimum 15 years of professional experience in water supply, wastewater, sewerage, utility, or related infrastructure projects.

• Demonstrated experience in engineering design review, construction supervision, project implementation support, and quality management.

• Experience working on large-scale infrastructure projects involving multiple contracts and stakeholders.

• Membership in, or eligibility for membership in, a recognized professional engineering institution.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience serving as Technical Lead, Senior Engineer, Chief Engineer, Resident Engineer, Engineering Manager, or similar leadership role on major infrastructure programs.

• Experience with World Bank, AIIB, ADB, or other internationally financed infrastructure projects.

• Experience supporting urban water supply, wastewater, sewerage, drainage, or utility modernization programs.

• Familiarity with FIDIC-based contract administration and international construction management practices.

• Experience reviewing engineering designs and overseeing implementation of large-scale utility infrastructure programs.

• Experience working in South Asia, Pakistan, or comparable developing-country infrastructure environments.

• Experience supporting quality assurance, quality control, and performance monitoring systems on major construction projects.

Amount of Travel Required

20% - 40%
Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.
Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
Visa Sponsorship Available

No - We are not open to sponsoring for this position
Agency Disclaimer

All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.