Principal Engineer – Water, Wastewater & Recycled Water

Dudek•San Diego, CA

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Dudek is seeking an experienced Principal Engineer with specific focus on Water, Wastewater & Recycled Water to join our growing Engineering team. As an employee-owner at Dudek, you will lead complex treatment and conveyance projects that strengthen community resilience, expand regional water supply, and support sustainable infrastructure throughout California and the Western U.S. This senior role is ideal for a technically strong, people-focused leader who thrives on delivering high-quality solutions, building trusted client relationships, and mentoring the next generation of Dudek engineers.

Requirements

B.S. in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering (M.S. preferred).
California Professional Engineer (PE) license.
18+ years of experience delivering water, wastewater, or recycled water treatment systems.
Proven success managing in excess of $2M to $5M municipal capital improvement projects.
Technical expertise in treatment processes (e.g., filtration, GAC, IX, biological treatment, disinfection, RO/NF, brine management, recycled water compliance).
Proficiency with California water/wastewater regulatory frameworks (SWRCB, DDW, RWQCB).
Strong communication, leadership, and client service skills with an “owner mindset.”
Ability to work collaboratively across multiple practices in a fast-moving, enjoyable, employee-owned organization.
Must possess a valid driver’s license and have active personal automobile liability insurance by the first day of employment

Nice To Haves

Experience with advanced treatment design and implementation.
Experience with major California funding programs.
Experience supporting construction management, commissioning, or startup.

Responsibilities

Lead the planning, design, and implementation of water, wastewater, recycled water, and advanced treatment facilities.
Manage multi-disciplinary teams across civil, mechanical, electrical, process, and controls engineering, including close coordination with Dudek’s in-house hydrogeology, environmental and other professionals.
Oversee preparation of technical documents including basis-of-design reports, P&IDs, design drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and permitting packages.
Drive project performance with full ownership of scope, schedule, budget, risk management, QA/QC, and change control.
Build and maintain strong client relationships with municipal agencies, special districts, and regional utilities.
Represent Dudek in workshops, stakeholder engagements, and project meetings.
Mentor less-tenured engineers, supporting their growth and reinforcing Dudek’s People First and employee-owner culture.
Contribute to strategic pursuits, including proposal development and interview participation, for large capital projects across California and the US.