Principal-Water/Wastewater Engineer

Kimmel & Associates • San Jose, CA

2d • Remote

About The Position

The Principal – Water/Wastewater Engineer will provide entrepreneurial leadership to establish and expand a new Water/Wastewater practice throughout California. This senior role combines technical expertise with client development, revenue generation, and practice leadership. Working with senior management, the Principal will define the practice’s growth strategy, identify target markets, develop client relationships, and establish 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. The position is fully remote, with candidates required to be based in Northern California or the Bay Area. Periodic travel throughout California is required for client meetings, business development, project oversight, and industry events.

Requirements

• 15 or more years of progressively responsible engineering consulting experience, including 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 water supply, wastewater, recycled water, stormwater, infrastructure planning and design, utility operations technology, or rehabilitation and 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.
• Willingness to travel periodically throughout California.

Responsibilities

• Lead 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 and 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; the specific benefits package is to be confirmed.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Principal
• Education Level: No Education Listed