Who is Water Mission?
Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission.
What is the Opportunity?
The Director of Engineering Design and Support is responsible for leading a team of engineers that provide technical support to Water Mission safe water, sanitation, and hygiene projects, as well as to the projects of partner ministries and other organizations as needed. This full-time position reports to the Sr. Director of Engineering and Innovation and will be responsible for managing team members focused on this effort. This position requires a commitment to servant leadership, sound engineering principles, as well as excellent communication skills. This role is based in Charleston, SC, though travel to remote locations in developing countries is required. As needs arise, candidates need to be prepared to travel one to three months out of the year (i.e., multiple trips during a single calendar year totaling one to three months), with trip lengths ranging from one to four weeks.
A successful Director, Engineering Design and Support will:
- Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, the communities we serve, and the public.
- Engage and participate in prayer before and after team meetings.
- Lead and participate in biblically based staff devotions.
- Lead the provision of high-quality engineering support services for worldwide Water Mission projects and partner ministries, ensuring adherence to approved standards and reporting procedures
- Demonstrate a strong ability to understand and navigate diverse cultural contexts and communicate effectively across cultural differences.
- Set a vision together with the Engineering & Innovation leadership team, and drive towards a future state where Water Mission has a global engineering team fully capable of preparing excellent engineering designs, calculations, clear construction drawings, and specifications, incorporating other engineering and technical disciplines into a full and well-documented design package.
- Manage multiple simultaneous projects, competing priorities, and concurrent deadlines, while maintaining effective communication with ministry leadership, staff across multiple countries and time zones, and outside entities.
- Prepare and present to various stakeholders, including departments, country program office staff, strategic partners, outside organizations, government officials, donors, and volunteers.
- Track and measure the effectiveness of engineering support, collaborating with the Engineering & Innovation Department to strengthen engineering skills and effectiveness.
- Develop and manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets for special projects.
- Support disaster response activities as needed at headquarters, field offices, and remote locations.
- Perform Supervisory duties such as ensuring milestones, goals, and deadlines are met, processing invoices, approving administrative tasks related to time and expenses, onboarding team members, and participating in occasional interviews.
- Lead and mentor as a servant leader who exhibits the fruit of the spirit, fostering a flourishing culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous learning (Galatians 5:22)
- Perform other duties as assigned.
What is required?
- Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
- Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Civil, Chemical, Environmental, Electrical, Mechanical, or other), Master’s preferred.
- Certifications: Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) preferred, and Project Management Professional (PMP) preferred.
- Experience: 5-10 years of engineering experience, including a minimum of 4 years supervising teams and leading projects. Experience in developing countries preferred.
- Skills: Excellent analytical and relationship skills, proficiency in office computer programs (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, Teams), and competency in engineering and project management software (AutoCAD, EPANET, HydroCAD, WaterGEMS, SmartSheets).
- Leadership: Proven ability to coach, mentor, delegate, and support teams to achieve excellence and timeliness.
- Language: English required, Spanish language skills are a plus.
- Travel: Willingness to travel up to 25% of the time, mostly in developing countries, with trips lasting 1-4 weeks. Ability to handle long car rides, stand for extended periods in hot weather, and lift heavy items.
- Flexibility: Ability to work periodic nights and weekends as required for ministry operations and operate a computer in a standing/sitting position for the majority of the workday.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to clearly articulate ideas and provide constructive feedback.
- Home internet bandwidth is strong enough to support video conferencing and other job-related responsibilities (for times when working remotely from home).
- Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.
