Senior Water Systems Planning Engineer
About The Position
California Water Service Group (Cal Water) is hiring an advanced journey-level engineer to plan and improve water systems. The engineer exercises full technical and functional supervision of assigned projects, uses independent judgment, and may serve as a technical resource. The position leads and reviews engineering work, guides junior engineers, and may represent the company in meetings with outside agencies to address or negotiate complex issues. The role can be based in San Jose, Bakersfield, or Torrance, California, and work is performed at the assigned office location, with travel to field locations in a company-provided vehicle. The position assesses water-system needs and develops solutions and actionable capital improvements. Work includes research and analysis of infrastructure, hydraulic analysis, project planning and development, cost estimating, preparation of capital budget and Public Utility Commission rate case materials, and coordination with staff, public agencies, contractors, and consultants. The engineer also directs and trains other engineers, technicians, and interns; manages project resources; prepares project safety documentation; presents information publicly; and contributes to continuous improvement.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
- At least six years of progressively responsible engineering experience in water utility engineering, hydraulic modeling, system planning, operations engineering, infrastructure planning, engineering design, or related fields.
- Ability to independently assess complex water systems and translate identified needs into actionable capital improvements.
- Knowledge of water system planning, design, operations, and infrastructure improvement programs.
- Experience performing hydraulic analyses or developing, reviewing, or interpreting hydraulic models for water systems.
- Knowledge of capital planning, project development, prioritization, budgeting, and asset management principles.
- Ability to assess infrastructure needs, develop planning-level solutions, and prepare project scopes and justifications.
- Ability to analyze technical, operational, regulatory, and financial information to support capital investment decisions.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparing reports, project justifications, presentations, procedures, and technical documentation.
- Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders and maintain effective working relationships.
- Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
- Public speaking and presentation skills.
- Valid California Driver License.
Nice To Haves
- Master's degree.
- California Engineer in Training certification.
- California Professional Engineer registration.
- Experience with hydraulic modeling software such as InfoWater or similar platforms.
- Knowledge of utility regulatory requirements, including drinking water regulations and Public Utilities Commission rate case processes.
- Experience with GIS, asset management systems, capital planning systems, project management software, or related engineering applications.
Responsibilities
- Assess, analyze, and solve problems related to the position's job functions.
- Organize, attend, and lead meetings with Cal Water staff and public agencies to assess problems and determine solutions.
- Research existing infrastructure using databases, maps, drawings, photographs, and paper files; independently locate or develop needed data.
- Perform engineering calculations to solve advanced problems using logical assumptions.
- Prepare project solicitation documents, review contractor and consultant bids, and select the most appropriate bidder.
- Update maps, drawings, and databases to reflect new projects or correct errors.
- Prepare data tables, graphs, cost estimates, justifications, and reports for project evaluation.
- Assess proposed solutions, assist with planning and preparation of projects for the capital budget and PUC rate case filings, and support cost estimates, justifications, data requests, tours, rebuttals, and settlements for complex projects.
- Direct the work of technicians and interns; routinely direct and train other engineers and occasionally review their work.
- Operate a company-provided vehicle to travel to field locations.
- Participate in Continuous Improvement activities to improve company operations.
- Conduct project safety planning and develop project safety documentation.
- Present information in public forums to state or local government agencies, special districts, or local communities.
- Make project-related decisions based on lowest life-cycle cost calculations.
- Manage project resources.
- Review policies, procedures, specifications, and standard drawings; research new technologies and revise documents as needed to reflect technology and company changes.
- Perform other duties as assigned and appropriate for the classification.
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
