Water Systems Engineer

California Water Group•San Jose, CA

7h•Onsite

About The Position

California Water Service Group (Cal Water) is hiring an intermediate-level Water Systems Engineer to plan water system infrastructure improvements. Under the technical guidance of higher-level engineers, managers, or supervisors as needed, the role performs routine engineering projects using prescribed methods and standard solutions, or handles defined portions of broader assignments. It requires increasing independence in judgment and action. With guidance, the engineer presents to districts and outside agencies and may coordinate and participate in meetings with outside agencies. The engineer assesses district water systems and translates current and future needs into planning-level capital improvements. The work includes analyzing system data and demand scenarios; developing and evaluating alternatives; preparing conceptual solutions, scopes, estimates, and project justifications; and supporting capital budgets and General Rate Case (GRC) filings and proceedings. The position collaborates with district operators, engineering disciplines, Rates, and other stakeholders, and supports regulatory requirements and continuous improvement. The position is based on site at an assigned office in San Jose, Bakersfield, or Torrance, California. The stated salary ranges are $112,581.62–$156,594.70 in Bakersfield, $115,283.58–$160,352.98 in Torrance, and $115,058.42–$160,039.79 in San Jose, depending on experience (DOE). Applications are accepted until filled.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience.
At least four 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 water-system hydraulic models.
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 district water systems to identify current and future infrastructure needs related to supply, storage, demand, pressure, fire flow, growth, water quality, reliability, asset condition, and operations.
Collect and analyze system data and demand scenarios to identify operational, regulatory, and reliability deficiencies and determine necessary improvements consistent with Title 22, CPUC General Order 103A, and Cal Water planning criteria.
Work with regional water system operators and engineering disciplines to understand district operations, issues, and short- and long-term needs.
Lead cross-functional planning meetings and evaluate and prioritize capital projects for rate case filings, balancing system needs, regulations, risks, and customer affordability.
Develop and evaluate project alternatives, recommend preferred planning-level solutions, and document technical bases, assumptions, constraints, risks, tradeoffs, and consequences of not proceeding.
Develop conceptual engineering solutions and planning-level scopes, including preliminary facility requirements, supporting calculations, layouts, and information needed for planning-level cost estimates.
Identify and coordinate field investigations, technical studies, permitting requirements, and specialized engineering support needed to complete project scopes.
Review capital project scopes, analyses, conceptual designs, and cost estimates for consistency with project needs, Company requirements, and operating conditions.
Gather and evaluate cost information for preliminary budgeting, comparison of alternatives, and reasonableness reviews.
Prepare clear, defensible project justifications describing project need, supporting data, alternatives, selected solution, conceptual scope, regulatory or operational basis, risks, and consequences of inaction.
Document data sources, calculations, assumptions, limitations, stakeholder input, project prioritization, and QA/QC reviews to support planning decisions and GRC filings.
Create and maintain proposed capital projects, scopes, schedules, costs, and supporting information in PowerPlan and other designated planning and budgeting systems.
Coordinate with Rates and other departments to evaluate budget and rate impacts of proposed capital projects.
Prepare project tables, exhibits, summaries, and justifications for annual capital budgets, GRC applications, and CPUC review.
Support CPUC rate-case proceedings through data-request assistance, testimony support, district tours, settlement responses, negotiations, and other capital-related information requests.
Present proposed projects, system assessments, recommendations, and analyses to internal leadership, district stakeholders, consultants, and regulatory participants.
Conduct site visits to validate field conditions, understand operational constraints, confirm planning assumptions, and support conceptual scope development.
Track capital project cost, schedule, and completion trends and recommend improvements to planning assumptions, project development practices, and future budgets.
Develop guidance and train staff on capital planning methods, system assessments, project scope development, project justifications, documentation requirements, and planning tools.
Participate in and support the Company’s Continuous Improvement program and projects.
Perform other duties of a similar nature or level.
Perform work on site in the assigned office location.