Project Engineer (Water/Wastewater Planning)

Wwoap; Allentown (Lehigh County); On-site; USD 85,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Salary

Medical, Dental, Vision Insurance

Paid Time Off

Retirement Plans

Job summary

Lehigh County Authority in Allentown, PA is seeking a Project Engineer (Water/Wastewater Planning) to shape how the region delivers safe, reliable water and wastewater services. You’ll blend long‑range planning with hands‑on project development to support growth and resiliency.

You will lead hydraulic modeling, I&I reduction, and technical studies, collaborate with municipalities and regulators, and guide projects from planning through design and construction to ensure timely delivery.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in water or wastewater engineering in utilities, municipality, or consulting.
• Experience with system planning, hydraulic modeling and data interpretation.
• Engineering degree; PE license preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Lead long-range water and wastewater capacity planning for regional demand and regulatory needs.
• Direct and execute I&I reduction initiatives to improve performance and reduce costs.
• Produce planning studies including hydraulic modeling and watershed planning.
• Evaluate asset capacity and identify capital investment needs for treatment, distribution, and collection.
• Collaborate with municipalities, regulators, and large customers on compliance and strategy.
• Coordinate with internal teams to transition projects from planning through design and construction.

Skills

Water/wastewater engineering

Hydraulic modeling

Data analysis

Stakeholder communication

Education

Engineering degree

PE license preferred

Tools

Hydraulic modeling software

Job description

Company: Lehigh County Authority

Job Location: Allentown PA, 18102 United States

Job Overview

If you naturally think beyond the project in front of you and consider how systems will perform years down the line, this role was designed with you in mind. As a Project Engineer (Water/Wastewater Planning) at Lehigh County Authority (LCA), you’ll play a central role in shaping how a growing region delivers safe, reliable water and wastewater services – today and into the future. This is a strategic, high‑impact role where planning meets execution. You’ll influence major infrastructure investment decisions while collaborating with municipalities, regulators, and internal teams to ensure the region’s systems can meet evolving demand. If you’re energized by complex systems, meaningful public impact, and the opportunity to think beyond the immediate project, this is a role where your work truly matters – we’d love to hear from you!

What the Job Looks Like

This role blends long‑term system planning with hands‑on project development to support regional infrastructure growth and resiliency. Day-to-day you’ll:

• Lead the development of long‑range water and wastewater capacity planning strategies, ensuring systems meet future regional demand and regulatory requirements.
• Direct and execute infiltration and inflow (I&I) reduction initiatives to improve system performance and reduce excess treatment costs.
• Produce and manage technical planning studies, including hydraulic modeling, watershed planning, and water supply optimization.
• Serve as a technical expert on system planning, evaluating treatment, distribution, and collection asset capacity and identifying capital investment needs.
• Analyze system data such as sewer metering and billing trends to uncover anomalies and inform operational and financial decisions.
• Collaborate with municipal leaders, regulators, and large customers to address compliance requirements and advance regional service strategies.
• Coordinate closely with internal teams to ensure smooth transition of projects from planning through design and construction, enabling effective project delivery.

What We’re Looking For

Responsibilities and qualifications for this role include:

• Around 5+ years of experience in water or wastewater engineering within a utility, municipality, or consulting environment.
• Hands‑on experience with system planning, hydraulic modeling, or infrastructure design – and the ability to interpret complex operational data.
• A strong foundation in water and wastewater systems, including collection, treatment, transmission, or supply management.
• Working knowledge of environmental and utility regulations such as the Clean Water Act, Safe Drinking Water Act, or NPDES programs.
• Experience managing or collaborating with engineering consultants and cross‑functional teams on technical studies or capital projects.
• The ability to clearly communicate technical and financial concepts to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• A degree in engineering is preferred; a PE license is a plus, but not required.
• Curiosity, proactive attitude, and comfort working independently while influencing decisions across a broad group of stakeholders.

Benefits

We value our employees and offer a comprehensive benefits package that ensures you and your family are well taken care of. Here’s what you can look forward to:

• Competitive Salary: $85,000 - $95,000/yr. depending on experience and role alignment.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance: Coverage for you and your eligible dependents.
• Generous Paid Time Off: Vacation days, excused absences, personal days, and holidays.
• Comprehensive Insurance: Company‑paid life insurance, long‑term disability, and short‑term disability coverage.
• Retirement Plans: Eligibility for the Pennsylvania Municipal Defined Benefit Retirement Plan and a 457 plan through Empower.

Equal Opportunities

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees. We do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, national origin, veteran status, or any other protected status. Employment decisions are based on qualifications, merit, and the needs of our business.