Project Engineer - Water

HDR, Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Project Engineer for its Water Business Group in Phoenix, AZ. You will contribute throughout planning, design, and delivery of water infrastructure projects, delivering safe drinking water and sustainable systems.

You will perform analyses, prepare plans and specs, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, supervise junior staff, and apply digital/AI tools to improve project outcomes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license recognized by the licensing board.
• Self-motivated and able to work independently on a project team.
• Committed to employee-owned culture and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Perform engineering analyses, calculations, and design for water infrastructure projects.
• Prepare plans, specifications, technical reports, and design documentation.
• Coordinate project tasks, schedules, and deliverables with teams.
• Participate in field investigations, condition assessments, and construction support.
• Interface with clients, regulators, and stakeholders during meetings.

Skills

Independent work

Communication

Problem solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

PE license

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Water

We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you'll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people's lives. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

As a Project Engineer, you will play a key technical role on water projects and contribute throughout planning, design, and delivery.

You will

• Perform engineering analyses, calculations, numerical simulations, and design for water infrastructure projects
• Prepare and develop plans, specifications, technical reports, and design documentation
• Apply sound engineering judgment in the evaluation, selection, and modification of standard engineering techniques and procedures
• Support project teams with coordinating project tasks, schedules, and deliverables
• Participate in field investigations, condition assessments, and construction support activities
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental, and planning staff
• Interface with clients, regulators, and stakeholders during meetings and work sessions
• Supervise and mentor junior staff and technicians, as needed
• Serve as a technical specialist or task lead, and potentially manage mid-size projects as your responsibilities expand
• Apply digital and AI-enabled tools to enhance project planning, coordination, and documentation

Why This Role Matters

The infrastructure you help design will deliver safe drinking water, improve treatment and water quality. Your engineering decisions will affect how communities function for decades.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience performing technical studies, analyses, and/or preparing plans and specifications for water projects
• Ability to make independent engineering decisions and take accountability for results
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on a project team
• Experience in advancing digital delivery and AI-supported workflows in infrastructure projects.

What We Are Looking For

We are seeking an engineer who is curious, collaborative, and motivated to grow. You enjoy solving real-world problems and want to see your designs built and used.

Successful candidates typically

• Ask questions and seek to understand the full project context
• Take ownership of their work and follow through Communicate clearly with both technical and nontechnical audiences
• Want increasing responsibility and client interaction

  What You Will Gain

  At HDR, you will not be limited to a narrow technical role. You will gain exposure to the full project lifecycle and the decision-making processes that shape each phase of a project. You will work directly with experienced project managers and technical leaders, develop task leadership and project management skills, gain client interaction and meeting experience, see projects through design and into construction, and grow within an employee-owned company that values initiative and collaboration

  If you want to design infrastructure that matters and accelerate your professional growth, we would like to meet you.

  #LI-JM8

  Required Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent field
  • Previous experience designing and creating plans and specifications for water and wastewater projects
  • Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
  • Self-motivated, able to work independently and with a project team to completion of a task
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

  What We Believe

  HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

  Our Commitment

  As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

  Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

  Primary Location: United States-Arizona-Phoenix

  Industry: Water

  Schedule: Full-time

  Employee Status: Regular

  BusinessClass: Water Treatment

  Job Posting: Oct 1, 2026