Confidential Opportunity · C.H. Nickerson & Company
Project Engineer
Water & Wastewater Construction
A specialized Northeast contractor with ~$500M in backlog is looking for a Project Engineer to support technically complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Why This Is Worth Exploring
What Makes This Opportunity Different
~$500M
Current Backlog
Significant visibility into future work across the Northeast water and wastewater construction market.
$750M+
Backlog Growth Target
The company is actively pursuing additional work with a clear growth trajectory over the next five years.
Up to 9%
401(k) Combined Contribution
When an employee contributes 6%, the company adds 3% — bringing the combined total to approximately 9%.
$20K+
Year-End Bonus Potential
Performance-based year-end bonus, typically structured as a percentage of base salary.
~80%
Health Premium Covered
Company pays approximately 80% of health insurance premiums, plus approximately 50% of the deductible for individual and family plans.
$160M+
Largest Project Size
Projects range from smaller municipal work to large-scale infrastructure exceeding $160 million — exposure that builds real technical depth.
The Company
C.H. Nickerson & Company
C.H. Nickerson & Company is a general contractor and design-build firm headquartered in Torrington, Connecticut, with a strong and established presence in the Northeast water and wastewater construction market.
The company builds water treatment plants, wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and infrastructure projects across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island — serving municipal, commercial, institutional, and industrial clients.
With approximately $500 million in current backlog and continued pursuit of new work, the company has strong visibility into its pipeline. Many core employees have remained with the company since early in their careers — a reflection of the culture and the stability of the work.
Built for the Long Term
Stability You Can See
The company has a strong pipeline of water and wastewater infrastructure work across the Northeast, with continued pursuit of additional projects. This is not a company in transition — it is a contractor with a long track record, a loyal workforce, and a clear growth trajectory.
~$500M
Current Backlog
$750M+
Backlog Growth Target (5 Years)
CT · MA · RI
Primary Project Geography
Low
Employee Turnover
Backlog figures are approximate and based on information available at the time of this posting.
Project Environment
The Work You'd Be Supporting
C.H. Nickerson builds technically complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the Northeast. As a Project Engineer, you would be working on projects ranging from smaller municipal work to large-scale treatment plant construction and upgrades exceeding $160 million.
Water Treatment Plants
Design-build and construction of municipal and industrial water treatment facilities, including upgrades, expansions, and new construction.
Wastewater Treatment Plants
Complex wastewater treatment plant construction and renovation projects for municipal and industrial clients across Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island.
Pump Stations
Pump station construction and upgrades as part of larger infrastructure systems and standalone municipal projects.
Utilities & Infrastructure
Underground utilities, site infrastructure, and related civil work supporting water and wastewater systems.
Common Project Components
The Role
Typical Project Engineer Responsibilities
The following reflects typical Project Engineer responsibilities in water and wastewater construction. Specific scope, reporting structure, and project assignments will be discussed confidentially based on the candidate's background.
- Supporting Project Managers and Superintendents on active projects
- Managing RFIs and submittals
- Maintaining project documentation, logs, and records
- Tracking drawings and specifications
- Coordinating material procurement and deliveries
- Assisting with subcontractor coordination
- Tracking project schedules and milestones
- Supporting change-order documentation
- Assisting with cost tracking and reporting
- Coordinating with owners, engineers, vendors, and subcontractors
- Supporting field coordination and issue resolution
- Reviewing drawings for scope and coordination issues
- Assisting with punch-list, startup, commissioning, and closeout
- Helping keep information moving between the field and project management team
Career Development
Build the Skills That Matter
A Project Engineer role in this environment offers exposure to technically complex construction that is difficult to find elsewhere. The skills you build here — documentation, coordination, scheduling, cost awareness, field communication — form the foundation for broader project management responsibilities over time.
Project Documentation
Develop fluency in RFIs, submittals, change orders, and project records across complex infrastructure projects.
Field & Office Coordination
Work between field teams and project management, building the communication skills that define effective PMs.
Scheduling & Cost Awareness
Gain exposure to project schedules, milestones, and cost tracking in a structured, process-driven environment.
Complex Systems Exposure
Learn the technical side of water and wastewater construction — treatment plant systems, process piping, mechanical coordination — from experienced teams.
Who This May Be Right For
This May Be Worth Exploring If You...
C.H. Nickerson is open to different experience levels, including candidates building toward water/wastewater from adjacent construction backgrounds.
- Have construction experience as a Project Engineer, Field Engineer, Assistant Project Manager, or similar role
- Have a background in water/wastewater, heavy civil, utilities, environmental construction, or municipal infrastructure
- Want exposure to technically complex infrastructure construction
- Are comfortable working between field and office teams
- Understand or want to deepen your knowledge of RFIs, submittals, schedules, drawings, procurement, and project documentation
- Want to build stronger project management experience over time
- Value learning from experienced Project Managers and Superintendents
- Are looking for a stable company with a long track record and low turnover
Earlier in Your Career?
Adjacent Backgrounds May Also Be Worth Exploring
This may also be worth exploring if you have a strong construction foundation but are still building direct water/wastewater experience. Relevant backgrounds may include heavy civil, utilities, infrastructure, environmental construction, concrete, mechanical construction, underground utilities, field engineering, or construction management.
Candidates with no relevant construction background are not likely to be a fit for this role.
Compensation & Benefits
What's on the Table
Specific compensation will be discussed confidentially based on experience and background.
Base Salary
Competitive, based on experience
Discussed confidentially during the process
Year-End Bonus
Can exceed $20,000
Performance-based, typically structured as a percentage of base salary
401(k)
Up to 9% combined contribution
Employee contributes 6%, company adds 3%
Health Insurance
~80% of premiums covered
Company also covers ~50% of the deductible for individual and family plans
Dental
Standard dental coverage
~$1,000 annual limit; routine cleanings covered
Paid Time Off
3 weeks PTO
Plus 7 paid holidays and 5 sick days
Vehicle Support
Company truck or vehicle support where appropriate
Plus gas card
Equipment
Cell phone and laptop provided
Culture & Environment
What the Work Environment Is Like
C.H. Nickerson has a family-oriented culture with an open-door leadership style. The company places a strong emphasis on employee retention and invests in training new employees and setting them up for success.
Low turnover is a consistent characteristic of the company. Many core employees have remained with the organization since early in their careers — which speaks to both the stability of the work and the quality of the environment.
The company's continued growth allows it to invest back into its people. For a Project Engineer looking to build a long-term career in specialized infrastructure construction, this is the kind of environment where that is possible.
Want to learn more before committing to a conversation?
Book a Confidential CallWhat Success Looks Like
How You'd Know It's Working
Information Moves Cleanly
RFIs, submittals, and project documentation are tracked, organized, and moving without bottlenecks. The PM and Superintendent have what they need.
You Know the Project
You understand the drawings, the schedule, the open issues, and the procurement status. You're not waiting to be told — you're tracking it.
Field and Office Stay Connected
You're the link between what's happening in the field and what the project team needs to know. Issues surface early, not late.
You're Growing
You're building real technical and coordination skills on complex infrastructure projects — and the team sees it.
Candidate FAQs
Common Questions
Do I need direct water/wastewater experience?
Not necessarily. C.H. Nickerson is open to candidates with backgrounds in heavy civil, utilities, environmental construction, or municipal infrastructure who are looking to build toward water/wastewater. Direct experience is a plus, but adjacent backgrounds will be considered.
Is this a field role, an office role, or both?
Project Engineers in this environment typically work between the field and the office. The balance will depend on the specific project and phase of work. This is not a purely desk-based role.
What does the process look like?
We start with a confidential conversation to understand your background and goals. If there's a fit worth exploring, we'll share more detail and facilitate introductions. Nothing moves forward without your knowledge and consent.
Is my current employer going to find out I'm looking?
No. All conversations are handled confidentially. We do not share your information with any company without your explicit approval.
What if I'm not sure I'm ready for this role?
That's worth a conversation. C.H. Nickerson is open to different experience levels. If you have a relevant construction background and want to build toward this kind of work, it may still be worth exploring.
Honest Assessment
This Probably Isn't for You If...
- ✕You want to leave construction entirely
- ✕You do not want a role involving detailed project coordination and documentation
- ✕You strongly dislike working between office and field teams
- ✕Your experience and interests are limited exclusively to residential or small interior renovation work
- ✕You are looking for a role with little exposure to schedules, drawings, subcontractors, or project controls
Ready to Learn More?
Let's Talk
If this looks like it could be worth exploring, the next step is a confidential conversation. No commitment required — just a chance to learn more and see if there's a fit.
Prefer email? info@unrivaledsearch.com