Design Engineer

American Water; Camden (NJ); Hybrid; USD 81,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water is seeking a Water/Wastewater Design Engineer to execute detailed engineering design for capital projects across water and wastewater facilities. The role includes data interpretation, calculations, and permit preparation, with coordination across internal teams and external consultants.

Primary responsibilities include CAD work, creating specs, and supporting construction, commissioning, and initial operation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering or a related field.
• EIT certification or 2+ years’ experience in water and/or wastewater engineering design and permitting.

Responsibilities

• Execute detailed engineering design for capital investment projects addressing water and wastewater facilities.
• Prepare calculations, drawings, technical specs, and bidding documents; perform CAD design and coordinate drawings.
• Coordinate with internal teams and external consultants to ensure timely task completion.

Skills

AutoCAD

CAD drafting

Hydraulics

Process design

Team collaboration

Safety procedures

Education

Bachelors in Civil or Environmental Eng

EIT certification or 2+ years experience

Tools

AutoCAD MEP

Civil 3D

Revit/BIM

Job description

Share Our Purpose. Be Yourself. Feel Valued.

People are the heart of our business. As an American Water employee, you will be offered a competitive salary and health benefits package, along with opportunities to develop, grow, and evolve your career. Our benefits packages focus on key areas such as health & wellness, emotional & well-being, and savings for current & future goals.

We are Beautifully Different. We strongly believe having diversity across our company makes us more successful and helps us provide essential services to our customers. We are stronger because we embrace different ideas, viewpoints, experiences, and backgrounds. American Water is the best choice for your next role! Click here for more information on our inclusion, diversity, and equity journey.

About American Water
American Water (NYSE: AWK) is the largest regulated water and wastewater utility company in the United States. With a history dating back to 1886 and celebrating 140 years in 2026, We Keep Life Flowing® by providing safe, clean, reliable and affordable drinking water and wastewater services to approximately 14 million people with regulated operations in 14 states and on 18 military installations. American Water’s approximately 7,000 talented professionals leverage their significant expertise and the company’s national size and scale to achieve excellent outcomes for the benefit of customers, employees, investors and other stakeholders.

Job Title: Water/Wastewater Design Engineer

Posting Start Date: 11/12/26

Job Description:

Job Information

Salary Range: $80,500 - $94,500

The base salary range represents a good faith salary range for this position. This position is eligible for annual incentive pay and has the opportunity for continued salary growth. If you are hired at American Water your base salary compensation will be determined based on factors such as market, geography, skills, education and/or experience. At American Water, we are committed to pay equity. In addition to compensation, you will be offered a comprehensive benefits package including 401(k), Defined Contribution Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan, medical, prescription, dental and vision coverage, plus disability, paid time off, life insurance, voluntary benefits, health and wellness programs and much more!

American Water is also proud to offer employees learning opportunities and work experiences to grow professionally!

Primary Role

The Design Engineer is responsible for executing detailed engineering design for capital investment projects addressing water and wastewater treatment, pumping, and conveyance facilities. Under the general guidance of senior engineering staff, the role includes interpreting data, understanding end user requirements, preparing calculations and design documents, assisting with the determination of permitting requirements and preparation of permit application packages, and providing technical support during construction, commissioning, and initial operation. The Design Engineer coordinates with internal technical resources, external consulting firms, and other project team members to ensure timely completion of assigned tasks. Within the assigned area of expertise, the role includes supporting the development of technical standards, standard specifications, and approved product/vendor lists, all in support of overall operational excellence and engineering center of excellence initiatives within American Water.

Key Accountabilities

• Participate in evaluations and inspections of water and wastewater facilities to identify deficiencies and capital improvements necessary to reliably meet current and future service needs. Develop design solutions for assigned components of new facilities and expansion/renovation of existing facilities.
• Prepare calculations, drawings, technical specifications, permitting documents, and bidding documents associated with delivery of assigned capital investment projects. This includes performing design work directly in CAD software and coordinating drawing production with other engineering staff.
• Manage small projects or components of larger projects, coordinating with internal team members and third party consulting firms to ensure timely task completion. Anticipate and communicate potential implementation obstacles to senior engineering staff.
• Apply Company standards for capacity, performance, reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance; participate in quality control reviews of own work and the work of others as assigned.
• Provide technical support during construction, commissioning, and initial operation of assets, including review of submittals and responses to requests for information under the guidance of senior engineering staff.
• Develop proficiency in matters within assigned discipline, including technical design, maintenance, asset management, and operations.
• Support the development of Engineering Standards, specifications, and equipment manufacturer recommendations as directed by senior engineering staff and Engineering Directors.
• Participate in special assignments including technology research, professional development activities, and other matters of strategic interest to the Company.

Knowledge/Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering design theory and practice.
• Familiarity with water and wastewater treatment, pumping, and conveyance facilities, and with utility maintenance and operations.
• Working knowledge of hydraulics, process design fundamentals, and equipment selection for water and wastewater facilities.
• Familiarity with CAD drafting procedures and technical specification preparation.
• Knowledge of safety procedures and guidelines.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD is required. Experience with AutoCAD MEP, Civil 3D, Revit, or other BIM software is a plus.
• Sound judgment and developing business acumen.
• Effective quantitative and analytical skills; attention to detail.
• Effective verbal and written communications skills (e.g., report writing, listening, and presentation).
• Strong interpersonal skills (e.g., tact/diplomacy, team building, cooperation) and the ability to work effectively as part of a multidisciplinary project team.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and priorities to meet project schedules.

Experience/Education

• Bachelor’s Degree in civil or environmental engineering or a related field. Advanced degree preferred.
• EIT or 2+ years’ experience in water and/or wastewater engineering design and permitting.

Certifications & Licenses

• Valid Driver’s License
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred; EIT or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure expected to be pursued upon meeting eligibility requirements.

Travel Requirements

Periodic travel with overnight stays required; generally, less than 10% of total time is anticipated away from office

Work Environment

Primarily office with occasional local / overnight work in the field. Up to 2 days work from home permitted per week

Competencies

Plans & Aligns Decision Making Communicates Effectively Builds Networks Action Oriented

Join American Water... We Keep Life Flowing ™

American Water is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based on his or her age, race, color, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, marital status, citizenship, or because they arean individual with a disability, protected veteran or other status protected by federal, state, and local laws.