Senior Project Manager

Job DescriptionJob DescriptionAbout Adaptive Water

Texas' 2022 State Water Plan projected that by 2030, demand would exceed supply by approximately 20%—and that analysis predated the data center boom now accelerating water stress across the state. Conventional, once-through water systems are unsustainable in Texas' increasingly arid climate, forcing large industrial facilities, municipalities, agriculture, and ecosystems into direct competition for scarce resources. To overcome our supply deficit, Texas needs more than incremental efficiency improvements to a fundamentally broken water supply model. Adaptive Water is redefining how water-intensive facilities source, treat, use, and reuse water. We design, build, and operate decentralized, multi-source systems that harvest and reuse alternative supplies—stormwater, wastewater, graywater, and brackish groundwater—eliminating dependence on potable water for applications that don't require it.

About the Role

As Project Manager, your first project will be to lead end-to-end delivery of a complex, high-stakes water infrastructure project for a gigascale data center campus. That means you have an unprecedented opportunity to demonstrate how Texas' rapidly expanding data center ecosystem can achieve water resilience, without dewatering or polluting communities or ecosystems.

You'll lead the planning, design, construction, and commissioning of a multi-source onsite water system engineered to support hyperscale computing infrastructure in one of Texas' most water-constrained regions. Success requires technical excellence, creative problem-solving, stakeholder coordination across public and private entities, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments.

Adaptive is an early-stage startup. In this role, you'll establish the processes, standards, and team culture that will define how Adaptive's Project Management Office delivers projects as we grow. You will work directly with the CEO and founding leadership team alongside leading water engineers, policy experts, and conservation scientists across Texas.

What You'll Do

• Direct all phases of project execution from scoping through commissioning for hyperscale data center water infrastructure supporting 5+ GW capacity
• Develop and manage comprehensive project plans including schedules, budgets, resource allocation, risk registers, and performance metrics
• Coordinate across engineering teams, specialized subcontractors, equipment manufacturers, regulatory agencies, and client stakeholders
• Translate Adaptive's technical vision into executable project strategy with clear milestones and deliverables
• Establish quality assurance protocols ensuring systems meet performance specifications and regulatory requirements
• Navigate complex permitting processes across multiple jurisdictions and regulatory frameworks
• Manage public-private partnership dynamics, including coordination with municipal utilities and local government entities
• Build, motivate, and develop high-performing project teams capable of executing complex, multi-disciplinary water infrastructure projects in dynamic, fast-paced environments
• Design and implement scalable project management frameworks, tools, and standards that will support Adaptive's growth

Who You Are

Adaptive Water is seeking a highly accomplished and results-oriented Project Manager to lead the delivery of complex design-build-operate (DBO) assignments. The ideal candidate will serve as a process owner from project conception through design, construction, and operational launch. The successful Project Manager will demonstrate a passion for operational excellence, adept risk management, and a commitment to long-term project success.

Minimum Requirements:

• Professional project management certification (PMP, PMI-ACP, or equivalent strongly )
• 7+ years leading enterprise-scale infrastructure projects in mission-critical environments (data centers, advanced manufacturing, industrial facilities, utilities, or water/wastewater treatment)
• Experience with water infrastructure projects including treatment systems, industrial process water, or onsite water reuse
• Direct experience navigating permitting or compliance for regulated facilities, with understanding of environmental compliance and water quality regulations
• Demonstrated success delivering complex projects involving multiple engineering disciplines, regulatory agencies, and stakeholder groups
• Strong working knowledge of design and construction standards, regulatory requirements, project commissioning, and water infrastructure operations and maintenance
• Proficiency with project management software, BIM tools, and relevant engineering applications
• Exceptional organizational and communication skills, with ability to collaborate effectively across technical and non-technical audiences
• Advanced problem-solving skills with a pragmatic and adaptable approach to resolving project challenges
• Strong sense of responsibility, accountability, and ethical conduct in all aspects of project delivery
• Personal commitment to solving Texas' most pressing natural resource challenge

:

• Professional engineering license or advanced degree in civil, environmental, chemical, or mechanical engineering, construction management, or a related technical field
• Familiarity with data center operations, cooling systems, and critical infrastructure (experience in advanced manufacturing, power , or other high-reliability industrial environments translates well)
• Familiarity with aquifer storage and recovery, managed aquifer recharge, or advanced water treatment technologies
• Background in Texas water policy, groundwater districts, or municipal utility operations
• Experience with projects involving complex contracting, such as public-private partnerships (P3), utility coordination, long-term facility management engagements, or operational handover
• Experience in high-growth startup or scale-up environments where you've built operational capabilities from scratch

Why This Role Matters

Too often, water supply projects compete for limited resources and deprive neighboring communities and ecosystems of the water they need to thrive. Adaptive Water's mission is to expand access to resilient, affordable onsite water solutions that reduce dependence on shared resources. Your work will establish proof points showing that the data center industry can support Texas' economic growth without depleting the water resources upon which communities and ecosystems depend.

What We Offer

The annual salary range for this role is $110,000 - $160,000. This range includes both performance-based incentives and the annual base salary. This salary range will be narrowed during the interview process based on a number of factors, including the candidate's experience and qualifications. Additional benefits for this role may include: equity, 401(k) plan; medical, dental, and vision benefits; and wellness stipends.

Location & Travel

This role requires regular presence at the project site during active construction phases, with flexibility for remote work during planning and design stages. We're building a distributed team across Texas with strong preference for candidates based in Austin or willing to relocate to Central Texas. Relocation assistance is available for exceptional candidates.

We look forward to hearing from you

At Adaptive, we're looking for people with passion, grit, and integrity. You're encouraged to apply even if your experience doesn't precisely match the job description. Your skills and passion will stand out—and set you apart—especially if your career has taken some extraordinary twists and turns. At Adaptive, we welcome diverse perspectives from people who think rigorously and aren't afraid to challenge assumptions. Join us in building a water secure future for Texas.