Principal-Water/Wastewater Engineer
About The Position
The Principal – Water/Wastewater Engineer will provide entrepreneurial leadership to establish and expand a new Water/Wastewater practice throughout California. The role combines technical expertise with client development, revenue generation, and practice leadership. Working closely with senior management, the Principal will define the practice’s growth strategy, identify target markets, develop key client relationships, and position the firm as a trusted provider of water and wastewater engineering services across California. The firm will support the Principal with strategic planning, recruiting, technical resources, administrative support, marketing and proposal assistance, and investment in tools needed to build a sustainable business line. The position is fully remote for candidates based in Northern California or the Bay Area, with periodic travel throughout California for client meetings, business development, project oversight, and industry events.
Requirements
- 15+ years of progressively responsible engineering consulting experience, with substantial experience in water, wastewater, stormwater, or utility infrastructure.
- At least 5 years of experience leading or managing a practice, business line, regional operation, or similar organization.
- Active California Professional Engineer (PE) registration.
- Proven success in client development, strategic growth, and revenue generation.
- Strong existing relationships with California municipalities, utilities, industrial clients, and/or regulatory agencies.
- Demonstrated ability to build and manage multidisciplinary engineering teams.
- Experience leading complex infrastructure projects from planning and design through construction.
- Expertise in one or more of the following: water supply, wastewater, recycled water, stormwater, infrastructure planning and design, utility operations technology, and rehabilitation/retrofit.
- Familiarity with CAD platforms, hydraulic modeling software, and infrastructure design applications.
- Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules, contracts, and financial performance.
- Entrepreneurial mindset and ability to identify opportunities, develop relationships, and build a sustainable practice.
- Must be based in Northern California or the Bay Area.
- Periodic travel throughout California is required.
Responsibilities
- Lead the strategic development and growth of the Water/Wastewater practice across California, including annual growth plans, staffing strategies, market expansion, and operational oversight.
- Develop and maintain relationships with municipal, utility, industrial, and private-sector clients.
- Generate annual net revenue exceeding $750,000 through client development, project pursuits, and strategic business development.
- Lead strategic pursuits, proposals, client presentations, interviews, and contract negotiations.
- Provide executive oversight and technical leadership for water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater projects from planning and design through construction.
- Serve as a senior technical resource for hydraulic modeling, condition and vulnerability assessments, asset management, capital improvement planning, conveyance systems, treatment facilities, and rehabilitation/retrofit projects.
- Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering and technical professionals to support practice growth.
- Oversee quality assurance for engineering calculations, technical reports, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and construction documents.
- Represent the firm at industry organizations, conferences, professional associations, and other strategic forums.
- Partner with senior leadership on long-term business strategy, financial performance, staffing, and market expansion.
Benefits
- Competitive base salary of $170,000–$200,000, based on experience and qualifications.
- Support and resources to build and grow a new business line.
- Strategic, technical, recruiting, administrative, marketing, and proposal support.
- Opportunity to play a significant role in the firm’s long-term California growth strategy.
- Additional benefits are available; specific benefits package to be confirmed.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Principal
Education Level
No Education Listed
