Production Designer - Water/Wastewater

Ardurra; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Ardurra seeks a Production Designer – Water/Wastewater to join our California team. This role leads CAD production across water and wastewater projects statewide, collaborating with engineers, PMs, and technical staff to ensure design quality and schedules.

The position supports and mentors design staff, uses Civil 3D and Revit, and requires California residency with preferred offices in Fresno, Sacramento, San Jose, or Bakersfield. Remote candidates are considered.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent; Associate’s degree preferred.
• 8+ years of design experience in water/wastewater projects.
• Proficiency with Civil 3D, Revit, and CAD standards.
• Experience leading production design teams and mentoring staff.
• Ability to coordinate with engineers, PMs, and technical staff.
• Residency in California is required; California-based work preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the CAD team producing drawings/models for water and wastewater projects.
• Maintain Ardurra CAD standards to improve productivity and quality.
• Collaborate with engineers and project managers to meet requirements.
• Mentor Production Design staff and foster continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with Tech Ops and project teams for quality control.
• Support design for facilities, pipelines, pump stations, and treatment facilities.
• Utilize Civil 3D, Revit, and other relevant applications.
• Perform additional duties as assigned.

Skills

Design management

Leadership

Mentoring

Coordination with engineers

CAD oversight

Project scheduling

Communication

Education

High school diploma

Associate's degree preferred

Technical certificate preferred

Tools

Civil 3D

Revit

Microsoft Office

Job description

Ardurra is seeking a Production Designer – Water/Wastewater to join our growing California team. This is an opportunity to support and lead production design efforts across meaningful water and wastewater infrastructure projects throughout the state while working closely with experienced engineers, project managers, and technical teams.

This position may be based out of any of our California offices, but is ideally located in Fresno, Sacramento, San Jose, or Bakersfield. This role is open to remote candidates; however, residency in California is required.

Primary Duties

• Lead the CAD team in producing high-quality engineering drawings and models for water and wastewater projects, ensuring adherence to project specifications, design standards, and schedules.
• Implement and maintain best practices for CAD design, including Ardurra standards, processes, and tools to improve productivity, consistency, and quality.
• Collaborate closely with engineers and project managers to ensure designs align with project requirements and objectives.
• Mentor and train Production Design staff, providing technical guidance and fostering continuous improvement.
• Coordinate with Ardurra Tech Ops and project teams to support quality control and technical consistency.
• Support discipline-specific design and production requirements for water and wastewater facilities, pipelines, pump stations, treatment facilities, and related infrastructure.
• Utilize applicable design software, including Civil 3D, Revit, and other discipline-specific applications as required.
• Perform additional duties as assigned by management.

Knowledge, Skills And Abilities

• Knowledge of project-level design management, labor estimating, scheduling, and performance evaluation practices.
• Skilled in establishing design criteria, coordinating production across project phases, and developing solutions for complex water and wastewater design challenges.
• Ability to assign, coach, and evaluate technical personnel while maintaining design accuracy, quality, and schedule.
• Ability to coordinate with engineers, project managers, technical staff, and other stakeholders to resolve conflicts, balance priorities, and support project completion.
• Knowledge of client relationship strategies with the ability to build trust, deliver high-quality solutions, and prioritize internal and external customer needs.
• Skilled in leadership, coaching, and talent development, with the ability to foster collaboration, delegate effectively, and support open communication.
• Ability to address technical and project challenges directly, navigate conflict fairly, and maintain focus on key priorities under pressure.

Education And Experience Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent required; Associate’s degree or Technical Certificate preferred.
• Proven mastery of Production Designer III duties with 8+ years of design experience.
• 5+ years of related work experience preferred, including significant experience supporting water, wastewater, or similar civil infrastructure projects.
• Proficiency with applicable CAD and design applications, including Civil 3D, Revit, and other software as required.
• Proficiency with internal CAD standards and practices; applicable CAD certifications preferred.
• Strong understanding of industry design standards and specifications, particularly as they relate to water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office programs.
• Proven ability to independently lead project design and mentor technical staff.
• Highly organized, self-motivated, and detail-oriented.
• Proven experience leading and developing high-performing design teams to deliver quality project outcomes.

Working Environment/Physical Requirements

Work is generally conducted in a standard office administrative setting with limited exposure to physical hazards. This role involves minimal to moderate physical activity, including handling items weighing up to 20 pounds. It may require occasional standing or walking but primarily focuses on working at a keyboard, workstation, or desk.

Compensation and Benefits

Compensation is based on experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $140,000 to $170,000. The firm offers a salary and benefits, and most importantly, an opportunity for engagement and support from an engineering team that has led major regional and national water resource projects.

Why Ardurra?

While Ardurra offers competitive compensation and rich benefits programs, it is our culture that truly sets us apart from our peers. We nurture a family-like culture, striving to create a work environment that is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding but also fun. We are acutely focused on developing our staff, whether through our internal Ardurra Academy or through our industry-leading Leadership program. We have made a deliberate and focused commitment to nurture a people-centric culture where people are: valued as individuals; supported in their professional and career development with multiple, varied career paths; provided the tools and resources to be successful, engaged, and satisfied in their work; and positive benefits, time-off programs, and flexibility to help maintain a healthy balance between work and home.

Ardurra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.