Principal Engineer - Water/Wastewater
Principal Engineer - Water/Wastewater
Location: Los Angeles, CA | Hybrid
A highly respected, water-focused engineering consulting firm is seeking a Principal Engineer to play a key leadership role in the delivery of complex water and wastewater infrastructure projects across the Los Angeles region. This is an opportunity to operate at the intersection of technical excellence, project leadership, and client strategy within a firm known for delivering impactful water solutions.
The Opportunity
This role is suited to an experienced engineer who is recognized for their technical expertise and leadership capabilities and is ready to take on broader influence across both project execution and client engagement.
You will serve as a senior technical authority, guiding project teams, supporting strategic decisions, and contributing to the successful delivery of major infrastructure programs. The firm provides a platform where Principal-level engineers are empowered to shape solutions, mentor teams, and influence long-term client relationships.
Key Responsibilities
- Provide technical leadership and oversight across water and wastewater projects, including treatment, conveyance, and system upgrades
- Serve as a senior advisor on complex engineering challenges, ensuring high-quality, effective solutions
- Support project delivery teams by guiding design approach, reviewing key deliverables, and maintaining technical standards
- Collaborate with Project Managers and client teams to align technical solutions with project goals and long-term strategies
- Engage directly with municipal and regional clients, supporting relationship development and technical discussions
- Contribute to proposal efforts, project pursuits, and strategic business development initiatives
- Mentor and develop engineering staff, supporting technical growth and knowledge sharing across the team
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, or related Engineering field
- Professional Engineer (PE) license required
- Typically 15+ years of experience in water/wastewater engineering
- Strong background in technical leadership across complex infrastructure projects
- Experience supporting or leading client relationships and business development efforts
- Demonstrated ability to guide teams and deliver high-quality engineering solutions
What Sets This Role Apart
- Opportunity to serve as a senior technical leader within a dedicated water-focused practice
- Work on large-scale, high-impact infrastructure programs across the Los Angeles region
- Influence both technical direction and client strategy, not just project execution
- Access to a deep technical bench and collaborative team environment
- A platform to shape project standards, approaches, and long-term solutions
- Clear pathway into senior leadership and strategic roles within the organization
Compensation
$180,000 - $240,000 base salary, depending on experience, plus performance-based bonus and comprehensive benefits.
This role is ideal for a seasoned engineer seeking to take on a high-impact leadership position, combining technical excellence, client engagement, and strategic influence within a well-established and growing organization in the water sector.
FAQs
Congratulations, we understand that taking the time to apply is a big step. When you apply, your details go directly to the consultant who is sourcing talent. Due to demand, we may not get back to all applicants that have applied. However, we always keep your resume and details on file so when we see similar roles or see skillsets that drive growth in organizations, we will always reach out to discuss opportunities.
Yes. Even if this role isn’t a perfect match, applying allows us to understand your expertise and ambitions, ensuring you're on our radar for the right opportunity when it arises.
We also work in several ways, firstly we advertise our roles available on our site, however, often due to confidentiality we may not post all. We also work with clients who are more focused on skills and understanding what is required to future-proof their business.
That's why we recommend registering your resume so you can be considered for roles that have yet to be created.
Yes, we help with resume and interview preparation. From customized support on how to optimize your resume to interview preparation and compensation negotiations, we advocate for you throughout your next career move.
