Water Wastewater Engineer

Job Title:

Senior Water/Wastewater Conveyance Project Manager Job Description This Senior-level Water/Wastewater Conveyance Project Manager role leads complex municipal water infrastructure projects involving pipelines, pumping stations, recycled water, and potable water systems. You will combine hands-on technical design with project management, client engagement, regulatory coordination, and team mentorship. The position is ideal for a California-licensed Professional Engineer who enjoys remaining deeply involved in technical work while guiding multi-disciplinary teams through planning, design, permitting, and construction support phases. Responsibilities Lead water, wastewater, recycled water, and potable water conveyance and storage projects from initial planning through design, permitting, and construction support. Provide technical leadership on conveyance projects, ensuring robust hydraulic and system design for pipelines, pumping stations, storage facilities, and related infrastructure. Perform detailed hydraulic calculations and system modeling, and review the work of others to ensure accuracy, efficiency, and compliance with project requirements. Oversee and mentor junior engineers, CAD staff, and external consultants, fostering technical growth and collaboration across the project team. Own project schedule, budget, and quality, proactively managing risks and implementing mitigation strategies to deliver successful outcomes. Prepare, review, and approve technical specifications, drawings, and construction documents for water and wastewater conveyance systems. Coordinate permitting activities with California regulatory agencies, including Water Boards and other permitting authorities, to secure timely approvals. Interface regularly with clients to understand project needs, provide status updates, and maintain strong, long-term relationships. Collaborate with regulatory agencies and stakeholders to ensure projects meet applicable standards, codes, and environmental requirements. Provide construction administration and field support, including review of contractor submittals, responses to RFIs, and participation in site visits and walk-throughs. Support business development efforts by contributing to and leading proposal development, scope definition, and level-of-effort estimates. Contribute to master planning efforts and, where applicable, support pilot testing and other advanced planning activities. Participate in and occasionally lead internal project meetings, design reviews, and coordination sessions to align teams and maintain project momentum. Essential Skills 10-15+ years of progressive water and wastewater engineering experience, with a strong focus on conveyance systems. Demonstrated expertise in the design and analysis of conveyance systems, including pipelines, pumping stations, storage facilities, and recycled water infrastructure. Active Professional Engineer (PE) license with the ability to obtain or transfer licensure in California quickly; California PE strongly preferred. Strong proficiency in hydraulic calculations and system modeling for water and wastewater conveyance systems. Proven project management experience, including responsibility for budgets, schedules, quality control, and risk mitigation. Demonstrated technical leadership experience guiding multi-disciplinary teams and overseeing the work of junior engineers and technical staff. Experience working within California regulatory frameworks, including coordination with Water Boards and permitting agencies. Hands-on experience with planning, design, and construction support for municipal water and wastewater infrastructure projects. Proficiency with hydraulic modeling tools such as WaterGEMS and SewerGEMS or similar software. Strong communication skills for effective client interface, regulatory coordination, and internal team collaboration. Additional Skills & Qualifications Bachelor of Science (BS) in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering is required. Master of Science (MS) in Civil or Environmental Engineering is preferred. Professional Engineer (PE) - California preferred, with other state licensure considered if transferable. Experience with California master planning efforts for water and wastewater systems. Exposure to Arizona permitting processes is a plus. Experience working on federal projects, including those involving the US Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA), is advantageous. Background in master planning and pilot testing for water and wastewater systems is highly valued. Demonstrated experience in business development, including proposal preparation and leadership, is a strong plus. Proven ability to mentor and develop junior engineers, including providing technical guidance and career development support. Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects and priorities. Work Environment This is a full-time, on-site role based in Fountain Valley, California. You will work primarily in an office setting within a collaborative engineering environment that encourages teamwork, knowledge sharing, and professional growth. The position also includes regular field visits to project sites, which may involve walking on uneven terrain and participating in site walks and inspections. Occasional travel within California is required to support client meetings, site visits, and project coordination, with periodic travel to Arizona considered a plus. You will work with modern engineering tools and software, including hydraulic modeling platforms such as WaterGEMS and SewerGEMS, and will collaborate closely with engineers, CAD staff, and other technical professionals in a professional office setting. Job Type & Location This is a Permanent position based out of Fountain Valley, CA. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $200000.00/yr.

Health & Wellness:

Medical, dental, and vision plans, Flexible Spending Accounts (HSA), and reimbursement for wellness programs.

Financial Security:

401(k) matching and life/disability insurance.

Professional Development:

Tuition reimbursement, in-house training, mentorship, and specialized training in water resource management.

Culture:

Regular, team-building events like in-house massages, yoga Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Fountain Valley,CA. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 21, 2026. About Actalent Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law. If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability. Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.