Planning Engineer

American Water Co.; Plainfield (NJ); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

American Water is seeking a Planning Engineer to advance long-term water and wastewater system planning, performing hydraulic modeling, demand projections, and asset assessments to ensure reliable service.

You will support teams, supervise consulting engineers and CAD operators, establish budgets, and contribute to strategic studies for growth and system improvements.

Qualifications

• EIT or 2–4 years’ experience in engineering design, planning, construction, project delivery and/or project management.
• Water system hydraulic modeling experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Assist with preparation of strategic water and wastewater system planning studies.
• Conduct system capacity evaluations and analyses of source, treatment, pumping, and distribution for growth opportunities.
• Develop hydraulic models for water distribution and wastewater systems.
• Assist with multiple small to medium projects; perform planning, design or construction tasks.
• Convert technical information into feasible engineering approaches.
• Establish project budgets and scopes; support consulting and construction selection processes.

Skills

Engineering design

Project management

Water/wastewater operations

Analytical skills

Verbal communication

Team leadership

Budgeting

Education

EIT

Tools

CAD

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!

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.

The Planning Engineer is responsible for engineering tasks focused on assessing the long-term needs of our water and/or wastewater utility systems and developing project solutions that will ensure the efficient and reliable delivery of services to our customers. This role will assist their respective teams with completing engineering tasks such as hydraulic modeling, demand projections, asset condition and performance assessments, developing treatment strategies, and preparing comprehensive planning recommendations. Responsibilities may also include technical partnering and supervision over consulting engineers, technicians, and/or CAD operators.

Key Accountabilities

• Assist with the preparation of strategic water and wastewater system engineering planning studies.
• Conduct system capacity evaluations, analysis of water source, treatment, pumping and collection/distribution, storage, or other system deficiencies as assigned to support ongoing operations, service extension requests or regional growth opportunities.
• Hydraulic model development, calibration and analysis for water distribution systems and wastewater collection systems.
• Assist with multiple small to medium size projects and perform varied engineering assignments associated with planning, design or construction.
• Develop technical information and concepts into feasible and effective engineering approaches.
• Establish project budgets and scope.
• Support the pre-qualification and selection of consulting and construction organizations for projects using negotiation or competitive selection processes

Knowledge/Skills

• Demonstrated knowledge of engineering design theory and practice.
• Familiarity with project management, construction and contract management, water and wastewater facilities, and utility operations.
• Knowledge of current trends in water quality and treatment and other aspects of the water industry.
• Familiarity with environmental regulatory requirements, and trends impacting the water industry.
• Sound business acumen and judgment.
• 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, persuasion, team building, cooperation, leadership, ability to motivate others.
• Financial analysis skill, including budget management, business modeling, and basic accounting knowledge.

Experience/Education

• EIT or 2 - 4 years’ experience in Engineering design, planning, construction, project delivery and/or project management.
• Water system and wastewater collection system hydraulic modeling experience is a plus.

Certifications & Licenses

• Valid Driver’s License
• Primarily in the office with occasional work in the field at water/wastewater facilities to conduct site investigations and participate in on-site project kick-off/review meetings

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.