Principal Water Wastewater Engineer

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 173,200 - 268,700; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Paid family leave

Flexible spending accounts

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Principal Water/Wastewater Engineer in Irvine, California. The role involves client service management, project delivery, and design management for water/wastewater projects. Candidates should have extensive experience in planning, design, and construction administration of water infrastructure. This position offers a chance for significant career advancement, mentorship opportunities, and involvement in innovative solutions. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package included.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 15 years of water/wastewater treatment experience.
• Valid California Professional Engineering license or ability to obtain it.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Engage in business development as a client-facing Project Leader.
• Manage project staff, financials, and contracts.
• Provide technical guidance for innovative solutions.

Skills

Project management

Client service

Technical guidance

Communication skills

Mentorship

Education

B.S. degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering

M.S. preferred

Job description

Your Opportunity

Stantec's Water practice is seeking a highly motivated Principal Water/Wastewater Engineer to join our successful water team in our Irvine, California office. Primary responsibilities include client service management, project delivery, design management, and project management for water and wastewater treatment and conveyance projects. We are looking for professionals with experience in the evaluation, planning, design and construction administration of water, recycled water, and wastewater infrastructure projects including proposal, scope, and fee development; alternatives analysis; treatment plant, pump station, and pipeline design; and engineering services during construction. This position offers the right candidate the ability to make a major career advancement. This is an opportunity to improve and grow leadership skills and become a recognized technical resource for a growing California water practice.

Your Key Responsibilities

• Become engaged in business development and project delivery as a client-facing Project Leader in the Municipal and/or Industrial Water market in California.
• Manage project staff, financials, and contracts meeting performance goals and client expectations.
• Promote Stantec’s project delivery structure that includes Project Managers and Project Technical Leads.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership in the development of innovative technical solutions for water and/or wastewater projects.
• Communicate effectively and coordinate with clients on projects during planning, design, and construction.
• Work closely with leadership to identify strategic client relationships to be developed, fostered and/or maintained in California and lead business development efforts.
• Engage our clients in meaningful discussions about their most critical issues and translate those discussions into opportunities to deliver solutions.
• Support Stantec’s reputation for innovation and research through participation in California conferences, professional associations, and academic partnerships.
• Mentor young professionals in the California offices.
• Comply with Stantec safety procedures and protocols.

Your Capabilities and Credentials

• Experience organizing, planning, and executing water and/or wastewater treatment and/or conveyance designs from pursuit to design and construction.
• Experience leading, coordinating, and managing multidisciplinary teams involving internal personnel, subconsultants, vendors, and suppliers.
• Experience with collaborative delivery projects working with contractors and vendors.
• Strong client service, project management, and/or design management skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Passion for team building, collaboration, and mentoring.
• Strong technical skills with at least one area of specialized expertise.
• Ability to meet client expectations on project budgeting and quality management.
• Experience managing or participating in market and strategic client relationship development campaigns and proposal writing.
• Must have a good driving record and valid driver’s license.

Education and Experience

• Education: B.S. degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering, M.S. preferred
• Experience: Minimum of 15 years of water/wastewater treatment or conveyance experience
• Licenses/Certifications: Valid California Professional Engineering license, or Professional Engineering license in another state with ability to obtain California license within 1 year of employment required.

Typical office environment working with computers and sitting at a desk for long periods of time.

Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.

Pay Range

Locations in WA, DC & Various CA areas - Min Salary $ 173,200.00 - Max Salary $ 268,700.00

Pay Transparency

In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.

Benefits Summary

Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements

Primary Location

United States | CA | Irvine

Organization

BC-1840 Water-US Pacific

Employee Status

Regular

Business Justification

New Position

Travel

Yes

Schedule

Full time

Job Posting

09/09/2025 04:09:28

Req ID

REQ2500026Z

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.