Engineer (P.E.)

San Diego County Water Authority; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

9/80 work schedule

Telework option (up to 1 day bi-weekly

Job summary

San Diego County Water Authority is seeking a licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) to lead the Engineering Department in CIP project design and construction. The role focuses on planning, analysis and budgeting for water infrastructure projects, with responsibilities spanning from initial concepts to final design and construction oversight.

The Engineer will manage budgets, schedules and cross-functional teams while coordinating with member agencies and stakeholders to ensure timely, compliant

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering required.
• Six years of professional engineering experience including public water/utility design and construction.
• Two years of experience at the Water Authority's Engineer II level.

Responsibilities

• Manage small- to medium-sized CIP projects or act as project engineer on large projects.
• Conduct engineering planning, analysis and design for capital construction and improvement programs.
• Write engineering specifications and prepare design plans and reports.
• Review design parameters of pipelines and flow control facilities.
• Perform hydraulic calculations, modeling, and stress analysis.
• Prepare cost estimates and manage consultants; negotiate contracts and changes.
• Represent the Authority with consultants and contractors; coordinate with departments and member agencies.
• Develop project budgets and schedules and monitor progress.

Skills

Project management

Hydraulic design

Budgeting & scheduling

Team leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Job description

JOIN THE SAN DIEGO COUNTY WATER AUTHORITY!

The San Diego County Water Authority is an independent public agency established in 1944 that serves as San Diego County's regional water wholesaler. Our mission is to provide a safe and reliable water supply to 22 retail water providers, including cities, special districts and a military base.

For jobseekers, the Water Authority offers the opportunity to contribute to meaningful, high-impact work. Our team supports a $267 billion regional economy and the quality of life for 3.3 million residents through a multi-decade water supply diversification plan, maintaining major infrastructure, and forward-thinking policies that promote fiscal and environmental responsibility. We’re also exploring new ways to strengthen regional water security, support strategic water resource management across Southern California, and deliver cost savings for local families.

Learn more at www.sdcwa.org.

We welcome veteran or transitioning military to apply. Are you a transitioning or former member of the military with experience as a Combat Engineer, Construction Engineer, Civil Engineer Officer, Facilities Engineer, or Engineering Officer or in a similar military role? Your engineering, infrastructure planning, construction management, project delivery, and public works experience may translate directly into success in this position. Applicants may also explore how their military experience aligns with civilian roles by using the Military Skills Translator at https://www.military.com/mst/military-iframe/mos-translator.

The Engineering Department

The Engineering Department is responsible for the design and construction of regional water facilities in the Capital Improvement Program (CIP); identifying and employing value engineering design concepts to optimize facility and aqueduct system performance; managing major emergency facility repairs; and providing overall CIP programmatic monitoring and controls. It also manages the Water Authority's real-estate interests by acquiring, disposing of, and leasing real property; patrolling and managing 168 miles of right of way; and providing survey services. In addition, the department provides technical support to other agencies, departments, and member agencies. The Water Authority’s Energy Program also resides within the Engineering Department, focused on developing low-cost energy supplies, generation, and storage opportunities; improving the Water Authority’s energy resilience; fostering collaborative energy relationships; and supporting the Water Authority’s legislative energy initiatives.

The Design Services Group

The Engineering Department's Design Services Group is a team of engineers and drafters responsible for in-house design execution of Water Authority CIP projects. The Design Services Group develops biddable plans and specifications for a wide variety of water infrastructure projects and provides engineering support for the Right of Way and Construction Groups as well as the Operations and Maintenance and Water Resources Departments. The Design Services Group also procures and manages consultant designs for Water Authority CIP projects.

The Engineer (P.E.) participates in the conduct of difficult and technical engineering projects, conducts engineering analyses, and performs research, planning, and design work for various capital construction and maintenance or improvement programs.

This position will lead the daily development and technical execution of Water Authority CIP projects, performing professional-level engineering planning, analysis, and calculations required for water facility design and construction administration. Responsibilities include managing small to medium-sized projects, encompassing project budgeting, scheduling, oversight of team members' work, and maintaining communication with member agencies, stakeholders, and management.

The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience in engineering design and construction support, specifically developing plans and specifications for water conveyance infrastructure, from preliminary to final design. The desired experience includes in depth understanding of pipeline hydraulics, and leading technical tasks and managing project budgets and schedules. They will also excel in providing comprehensive scheduling support for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, adapt well to shifting priorities and tight deadlines, and quickly grasp complex issues. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. Additionally, the candidate will thrive in team settings, demonstrate reliability, and engage in professional and respectful feedback exchanges with colleagues.

Distinguishing Characteristics

Engineer (P.E.) is the skilled, journey-level class in the professional engineering series. Incumbents independently perform a variety of engineering activities that involve evaluating, selecting and applying difficult engineering techniques and processes in the design and construction of Water Authority pipelines and facilities.

Representative Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

• Serves as project manager on small- to medium-sized CIP projects or as project engineer on large projects.
• Performs engineering planning, analysis and design for Water Authority capital construction and improvement programs.
• Writes engineering specifications, prepares preliminary and final engineering design plans and reports for Water Authority projects.
• Reviews and evaluates design parameters of pipelines and flow control facilities.
• Performs hydraulic calculations, modeling, gradient analysis, aqueduct system analysis, pipeline design calculations and stress analysis.
• Formulates instructions for technical staff and interns.
• Reviews shop drawings and contractor submittals for conformance with construction specifications.
• Prepares cost estimates and professional service RFPs; assists in evaluating and selecting consultants; negotiates and administers agreements for design, construction management, inspection and other specialty services; reviews drawings and specifications for compliance with standards; interprets specifications and Water Authority policies and initiates or reviews change orders; prepares periodic project status reports.
• Represents Water Authority with consultants and contractors; prepares correspondence on technical engineering issues; coordinates project engineering planning, design, and construction activities with Water Authority departments, member agencies and other entities; interprets applicable laws, regulations, policies and design standards; drafts construction contract documents; coordinates and responds to requests for information from contractors; negotiates change orders and obtains Water Authority approval for contract changes.
• Represents the Water Authority on assigned committees; assists with budget development and operational or maintenance issues that arise throughout the year.
• Analyzes and responds to requests for information from member agencies, other public entities and the public; represents the Water Authority at meetings.
• Develops project budgets and schedules; tracks, evaluates and prepares reports and presentations on design and construction project progress; drafts engineering correspondence, interoffice memoranda, and bid documents; collects supporting data for EIR and administrative reports; performs special engineering studies.
• Monitors and evaluates construction work in progress, site investigations, to ensure compliance with budget, approved plans, specifications and material standards.
• Inspects and evaluates existing Water Authority facilities, structures, and/or pipelines.

For further details regarding the duties and responsibilities, and qualification guidelines for this class specification, please click on the following link: Engineer (P.E.).

Work Schedule

Employees assigned to work at the Kearny Mesa office work a 9/80 schedule, where the entire facility is closed every other Friday. An option to telework up to one day bi-weekly is available for this position. Employees authorized to telework must be able to report to Water Authority facilities as needed, depending on the operational needs of the department and/or area of assignment.

The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in civil engineering or related field supplemented by six years of professional engineering experience, including experience in public water/utility design and construction, and two years of experience at the level of the Water Authority's Engineer II class.

Licenses and Other Requirements

• A valid certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the State of California.
• A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority's Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Tentative Exam Schedule

Application Deadline: 11/08/2026

Written Exam: 11/18/2026

Tentative Interview Date: Week of 12/07/2026

For technical assistance with the online application system, please review the Government Jobs online application guide, or contact their toll-free applicant support line at [phone]. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at [phone].

The San Diego County Water Authority is an Equal Opportunity Employer and does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy status), gender, gender identity and/or expression, sexual orientation, marital status, age, genetic information, mental or physical disability (whether perceived or actual), ancestry, military or veteran status, citizenship status, medical condition, and/or national origin. The San Diego County Water Authority welcomes veterans or transitioning military. If you have questions whether your Military Occupational Specialties or rating qualifies you for a job opening, please visit TIPS & RESOURCES FOR VETERANS APPLYING FOR JOBS IN WATER, on the Water Authority’s regional workforce development website, SanDiegoWaterWorks.org. Applicants may also explore how their military experience aligns with civilian roles by using the Military Skills Translator at https://www.military.com/mst/military-iframe/mos-translator.

Should you have any questions regarding the recruitment process or require accommodations pursuant to the Americans with Disabilities Act, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at [phone].