Senior Utility Project Associate

About the role

In this pivotal position, you will be instrumental in managing the entire project lifecycle for essential power and water infrastructure, ensuring that Rowan's growing data center portfolio is delivered on time and within budget. Your role will involve close collaboration with utility partners to achieve goals related to capacity, reliability, and sustainability for hyperscale data centers. This position is vital to furthering Rowan's commitment to offering efficient and sustainable solutions in the data center sector.

Key facts

What you'll do

• Lead the execution of projects related to water conveyance and wastewater infrastructure, focusing on pipelines, pump stations, storage facilities, and treatment systems specifically designed for data centers.
• Oversee the management of various water and wastewater utilities, districts, and contractors throughout all stages of projects, from initial agreements to commissioning and operational handover.
• Review and validate engineering designs, ensuring they meet requirements for hydraulic modeling, sizing of pipelines and pump stations, and treatment systems.
• Analyze the water demands of cooling systems in relation to the available water supply and the capacity for wastewater discharge at project sites.
• Collaborate with utility partners and municipalities to develop and implement innovative solutions for last-mile water and wastewater distribution challenges.
• Facilitate effective communication and ensure deliverables are met among utility partners, regulatory agencies, and internal teams.
• Prepare and present project updates and reports to stakeholders, ensuring transparency and alignment with project goals.
• Identify potential project risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure successful project delivery.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation and records to support compliance and operational efficiency.
• Foster a culture of safety and sustainability within project teams, ensuring all activities align with Rowan's environmental goals.
• Engage in continuous learning and professional development to stay updated on industry trends and best practices.

Requirements

• A Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, or Water Resources Engineering, Construction Management, or a related technical discipline, OR a minimum of five years of project management experience in the data center, water, or wastewater sectors.
• A minimum of three years of hands-on experience with water conveyance and/or wastewater infrastructure projects (five years is preferred).
• Willingness to travel up to 30% for company events, utility meetings, and site visits.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects concurrently while maintaining high standards of quality.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and with external partners.
• Excellent organizational capabilities to handle complex project details.
• Comfort in navigating ambiguous situations and making informed decisions.
• Strong analytical skills and a knack for problem-solving.
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced, cross-functional work environment.

Nice to have

• Certification as a Project Management Professional (PMP).
• In-depth technical knowledge of U.S. water systems, including aspects of hydraulics, sizing of pipelines and pump stations, storage solutions, treatment processes, and effluent discharge/reuse systems across all project phases.
• Familiarity with water rights, utility service agreements, and the regulatory frameworks surrounding discharge permitting.

Skills & tools

• Proficient in Microsoft Excel for data analysis and reporting.
• Experience with PowerPoint for creating presentations and project updates.
• Familiarity with MS Project for project scheduling and management.

Practical notes

• Rowan promotes a hybrid work model, allowing flexibility with offices located in Denver, CO, and Seattle, WA.
• Employee benefits include comprehensive health insurance, a 401(k) plan with company contributions, unlimited paid time off (PTO), and reimbursement for RTD ECO passes or parking expenses.
• Rowan is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.

About the company

Rowan Digital Infrastructure is redefining how data centers are delivered - faster, smarter, and at scale. We partner with hyperscale customers to provide tailored, high-performance infrastructure with a focus on sustainability, efficiency, and flexibility.