Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater

Kennedy Jenks Consultants; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

dental

vision

life and disability insurance

health savings account

a 401(k)

bonus programs

tuition reimbursement

employee ownership opportunity

professional registration support

business travel assistance

competitive paid time off and holidays

employee assistance program

additional programs that support your

Job summary

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Project Engineer to join our Oregon team, focusing on municipal water and wastewater infrastructure from planning through construction.

You will collaborate with Project Managers, engineers, and specialists to deliver designs, calculations, and reports, while supporting field activities and ensuring quality and on‑time delivery. Hybrid work is available in our Portland-area office.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or related field.
• Professional licensure: Oregon PE license in Civil or Environmental Engineering preferred.
• Experience: Five or more years on municipal water and wastewater projects.
• Knowledge: Understanding of municipal water/wastewater design, construction methods and codes.
• Software: Proficient with design/doc review tools including Bluebeam Revu, MS Project, AFT Fathom, Visual Hydraulics.

Responsibilities

• Develop designs, plans, specifications, calculations, and technical reports for municipal water and wastewater projects.
• Coordinate tasks with Project Managers and technical teams to track deliverables and schedules.
• Collaborate across disciplines to address interfaces and maintain project alignment.
• Evaluate alternatives using standards and regulatory requirements to propose practical solutions.
• Support construction activities with site visits, RFIs, submittal reviews, and field observations.
• Review technical work for accuracy and communicate issues to keep projects on track.
• Mentor junior engineers and share knowledge to support team growth.

Skills

Engineering experience

Project coordination

Accountability and initiative

Technical problem-solving

Communication and teamwork

Technical tools

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in engineering

Oregon PE license preferred

Tools

Bluebeam Revu

Microsoft Project

AFT Fathom

Visual Hydraulics

Job description

Founded in 1919, KJ has always looked to the future. With a talented team of professionals and a culture of continuous improvement, we deliver exceptional engineering, environmental consulting, and construction management services, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Using advanced analytics, technology, and tools, KJ improves designs, reduces risk, and finds better ways to deliver projects from planning through construction. KJ is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for clients, including green infrastructure design, strategies to reduce energy use and environmental impacts, award-winning water reuse projects, and efficient construction management practices that ensure quality, safety, and on‑time delivery. We are known for our dedication to industry‑leading client service and tailored solutions.

Kennedy Jenks is looking for a Project Engineer to join our Oregon team and contribute to the delivery of municipal water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This role is a great fit for an engineer who enjoys solving technical challenges, working across disciplines, and helping move projects from initial planning and design through construction.

You’ll work closely with Project Managers, engineers, and technical specialists to develop design solutions, coordinate project activities, and deliver quality engineering work. From preparing calculations and technical reports to supporting construction activities and resolving design questions, you’ll have an active role in the successful execution of projects that serve local communities.

This position offers the opportunity to deepen your technical expertise, take ownership of project deliverables, and collaborate with a multidisciplinary team while supporting the development of emerging engineering talent.

What You’ll Do

• Develop engineering solutions: Prepare designs, plans, specifications, calculations, and technical reports for municipal water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate project activities: Work with Project Managers and technical teams to organize design tasks, track deliverables, and support project schedules and budgets.
• Connect disciplines and design efforts: Collaborate with process, civil, structural, architectural, mechanical, electrical, instrumentation and controls, and other engineering disciplines to address design interfaces and maintain project alignment.
• Evaluate technical challenges: Apply engineering principles, design standards, and regulatory requirements to assess alternatives and develop practical solutions.
• Support construction and field activities: Participate in site visits and inspections, review contractor submittals and shop drawings, respond to requests for information (RFIs), and document field observations.
• Maintain quality and follow-through: Review technical work for accuracy, communicate project issues, and coordinate next steps to help ensure timely resolution.
• Contribute to team development: Share knowledge, collaborate with colleagues, and provide day‑to‑day technical assistance to junior engineers as appropriate.

What Makes This Role Different

• Varied technical work: Apply your engineering experience across municipal water and wastewater projects, with opportunities to work on complex treatment and infrastructure systems.
• A connected project role: Work at the intersection of engineering design, multidisciplinary coordination, and construction support, gaining a broader understanding of project delivery.
• Collaborative problem‑solving: Partner with specialists across engineering disciplines to work through design challenges and develop coordinated solutions.
• Room to grow: Build your technical capabilities, take on increasing responsibility for project deliverables, and help support the growth of other team members.

What You Bring

• Engineering experience: A background in municipal water and wastewater infrastructure, including experience contributing to multidisciplinary projects.
• Project coordination: The ability to organize technical work, communicate effectively across teams, and keep assigned tasks and deliverables moving forward.
• Accountability and initiative: A proactive approach to identifying issues, exercising sound judgment, and following through on responsibilities until they are resolved.
• Technical problem‑solving: The ability to evaluate engineering challenges, apply relevant standards, and develop accurate, practical solutions.
• Communication and teamwork: Strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work effectively with colleagues, clients, and external partners.
• Technical tools: Familiarity with engineering design documentation, hydraulic modeling, project scheduling, and document review software.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's or master's degree in engineering or a related scientific discipline.
• Experience: Five or more years of relevant engineering experience in the planning, design, and analysis of municipal water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Professional licensure: Oregon Professional Engineer (PE) license in Civil or Environmental Engineering preferred.
• Technical knowledge: Understanding of municipal wastewater systems, engineering design principles, construction methods, and applicable codes and standards.
• Software: Experience with Bluebeam Revu, Microsoft Project, AFT Fathom, and Visual Hydraulics, and is preferred.

Kennedy Jenks supports a healthy work‑life balance and utilizes a hybrid model of home and office work, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. This approach empowers our people to thrive, collaborate, and achieve their full potential.

Salary range for this position is anticipated to be $90,000 to $135,000 and may vary based upon education, experience, qualifications, licensure/certifications, and geographic location.

Benefits summary:

• Medical
• dental
• vision
• life and disability insurance
• a health savings account
• a 401(k)
• bonus programs
• tuition reimbursement
• employee ownership opportunity
• professional registration support
• business travel assistance
• competitive paid time off and holidays
• an employee assistance program
• additional programs that support your wellbeing and professional growth

#LI-Hybrid

Kennedy Jenks is an Equal Opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy and pregnancy‑related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.