Project Engineer / Project Manager - Water & Wastewater

Location: Irvine, CA
Industry: Civil / Environmental Engineering

Position Overview

We are seeking a talented Project Engineer / Project Manager to join our growing Water & Wastewater team in Irvine, California. This role offers the opportunity to lead the planning, design, and delivery of critical infrastructure projects that improve water quality, reliability, and sustainability for communities throughout Southern California.

The ideal candidate will bring a strong technical foundation in water and wastewater treatment, conveyance, and municipal infrastructure projects, along with the ability to manage client relationships, mentor junior staff, and oversee project execution from concept through construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Manage projects involving treatment plants, pump stations, pipelines, reservoirs, lift stations, and related facilities.
• Prepare and oversee engineering studies, technical reports, design calculations, specifications, and construction documents.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary project teams including civil, mechanical, electrical, structural, and process engineers.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, scope, and resource allocation to ensure successful delivery.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for municipal, utility, and private-sector clients.
• Conduct quality reviews and provide technical oversight throughout project development.
• Support proposal preparation, project pursuits, and business development initiatives.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and technical staff.
• Participate in client meetings, stakeholder presentations, and regulatory coordination efforts.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, or related Engineering discipline.
• California Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 6+ years of experience in water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Experience managing or supporting the delivery of municipal infrastructure projects.
• Strong understanding of water distribution, wastewater collection, treatment processes, and utility infrastructure.
• Experience with project budgeting, scheduling, and client management.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced consulting environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous project management experience with Southern California municipalities and water agencies.
• Experience with treatment plant improvements, rehabilitation projects, and capital improvement programs (CIPs).
• Familiarity with California regulatory requirements and permitting processes.
• Experience mentoring junior engineers and leading technical teams.
• Master's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
• PMP certification or desire to pursue project management credentials.

Technical Skills

• AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Revit (preferred)
• WaterCAD / SewerGEMS
• InfoWater Pro
• GIS Applications
• Hydraulic Modeling Software
• Microsoft Project
• Bluebeam

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive base salary plus annual performance bonus.
• Hybrid work schedule with flexibility.
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) or employee ownership opportunities, where applicable.
• Generous PTO and paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support.
• PE license renewal and continuing education reimbursement.
• Clear advancement path toward Senior Project Manager, Group Manager, and Practice Leadership positions.

This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys both the technical and client-facing aspects of project delivery and is looking to play a key role in shaping critical water and wastewater infrastructure throughout Southern California.