Water Systems Engineer

California Water Service Group•Torrance, CA

1d•$112,582 - $160,353•Onsite

About The Position

California Water Service Group (Cal Water) is hiring an intermediate-level Water Systems Engineer to support water system planning and capital project development. The role performs routine engineering projects using prescribed methods and standard solutions, or specific portions of broader assignments, under the technical guidance of higher-level engineers, managers, or supervisors. The position requires increasing independence of judgment and action. With guidance, the engineer presents to districts and outside agencies and may coordinate and participate in meetings with them. The engineer assesses district water systems and translates infrastructure needs into actionable capital improvements. Work includes analyzing system data and demand scenarios, developing and evaluating planning-level alternatives, defining conceptual scopes and preliminary cost estimates, coordinating investigations and technical support, and documenting project justifications and planning decisions. The role also supports capital budgets and General Rate Case filings, CPUC proceedings, and coordination with Rates and other departments. The position is based at the assigned office in San Jose, Bakersfield, or Torrance, California, and includes site visits and work on site at the assigned office.

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 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 district water systems to identify current and future 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 infrastructure improvements consistent with applicable requirements and Cal Water planning criteria.
Work with regional water system operators and other engineering disciplines to understand water system operations, issues, and short- and long-term needs.
Lead cross-functional planning meetings to evaluate and prioritize capital projects for rate case filings, balancing system needs, regulatory requirements, risks, and customer affordability.
Develop and evaluate project alternatives; recommend planning-level solutions and document their technical basis, assumptions, constraints, risks, tradeoffs, and consequences of not proceeding.
Develop conceptual engineering solutions and planning-level scopes for water infrastructure projects, including preliminary facility requirements, supporting calculations, layouts, and information for planning-level cost estimates.
Identify and coordinate field investigations, technical studies, permitting requirements, and specialized engineering support.
Review capital project scopes, analyses, conceptual designs, and cost estimates for alignment with project needs, company requirements, and operating conditions.
Gather and evaluate cost information for preliminary budgeting, alternative comparisons, and reasonableness reviews.
Prepare clear project justifications describing project needs, supporting data, alternatives, selected solutions, conceptual scopes, regulatory or operational bases, risks, and consequences of inaction.
Document data sources, calculations, assumptions, limitations, stakeholder input, 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 planning and budgeting systems.
Coordinate with Rates and other departments to evaluate budget and rate impacts of proposed capital projects.
Prepare tables, exhibits, summaries, and justification materials for annual capital budgets, GRC applications, and CPUC review.
Support CPUC rate-case proceedings, including data requests, testimony support, district tours, settlement responses, negotiations, and 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, scope development, project justifications, documentation, 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.