Senior Civil Engineer – Water & Wastewater

Thompson & Litton; Bristol (TN); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Competitive compensation

Health coverage

Retirement benefits

Job summary

Thompson & Litton (T&L) seeks a Senior Civil Engineer – Water & Wastewater to lead design and delivery of public infrastructure projects in Tennessee or West Virginia. Expect ownership of project strategy and mentorship of engineers.

Active PE license and 8+ years of progressive civil experience are required. Proficiency with WaterCAD/SewerCAD and familiarity with AutoCAD are preferred; opportunity to advance to Lead Engineer within a collaborative ESOP-focused firm.

Qualifications

• PE license required; licensure by reciprocity as needed.
• 8+ years of progressive civil engineering experience with focus on water/wastewater utilities.
• Proficiency with hydraulic modeling tools WaterCAD and SewerCAD; AutoCAD preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of complex water and wastewater projects, including pumps and treatment-related upgrades.
• Review plans and calculations for quality, constructability, and regulatory compliance.
• Direct project schedules and budgets, and manage design staff to ensure on-time delivery.
• Oversee permitting packages with local, state, and federal agencies.
• Coordinate construction administration and field activities with public-sector clients.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Client coordination

Regulatory understanding

Education

Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering

Tools

WaterCAD

SewerCAD

AutoCAD

Job description

Are you an experienced engineering professional looking to lead high-impact public infrastructure projects and step into a primary leadership role? Thompson & Litton (T&L), an established multi-disciplined firm serving both public and private sector clients, has an immediate opening for a Senior Civil Engineer – Water & Wastewater in Tennessee or West Virginia.

This role is designed for a technical expert with clear advancement potential into a Lead Civil Engineer position, taking ownership of regional utility initiatives, guiding project strategy, and mentoring the next generation of engineers.

The Role: Strategic Leadership & Technical Excellence

As a senior engineer on the path to overall team leadership within our civil group, you will direct projects from concept through construction. You will:

• Lead Technical Design: Head the engineering of complex water and wastewater utility projects, including linear utility improvements, pump stations, force mains, and treatment-related infrastructure.
• Ensure Quality & Compliance: Review engineering plans and calculations for quality, technical accuracy, constructability, and compliance with applicable local, state, and federal standards and regulations.
• Manage Project Delivery: Direct project schedules, budgets, and technical design staff to ensure successful, on-time project execution.
• Navigate Regulatory Permitting: Oversee the preparation and submission of comprehensive permit packages through local, state, and federal agencies.
• Support Construction & Clients: Manage construction administration and field coordination while serving as a primary point of contact for public-sector utility clients.

What You Bring

• Licensure: Active Professional Engineer (PE) license required, with the ability to obtain licensure in the state of employment through reciprocity as needed.
• Experience: Ideally 8+ years of progressive civil engineering experience, with a strong focus on water/wastewater utility systems and a desire to grow into a group leadership role.
• Technical Proficiency: Hands-on experience with hydraulic modeling software, specifically WaterCAD and SewerCAD. Familiarity with AutoCAD is preferred but not required.
• Core Expertise: Demonstrated experience with several of the following:
  • Water distribution systems
  • Sanitary sewer collection systems
  • Force mains and pump stations
  • Utility relocation and rehabilitation projects
  • Water and wastewater treatment-related improvements
  • Hydraulic modeling or utility system analysis
  • Permitting through local, state, and federal agencies
  • Construction administration and field coordination
  • Public-sector utility client coordination
  • Managing project schedules, budgets, and technical staff
• Education: Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering or Environmental Engineering.

Why Tennessee or West Virginia?

With opportunities available in Tennessee or West Virginia, T&L offers the chance to build a career in communities where professional opportunity meets an exceptional quality of life.

• Unmatched Outdoor Life: Enjoy abundant opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, fishing, boating, and other outdoor recreation throughout the Appalachian region.
• Stress-Free Commutes: Enjoy shorter, low-congestion commutes compared to larger metropolitan areas.
• Regional Connectivity: Live and work within convenient driving distance of larger cities and regional hubs while maintaining the benefits of smaller communities.
• Affordable Cost of Living: Many of the communities we serve offer a lower cost of living than major metropolitan areas, allowing your income to go further.
• Community Impact: Work directly on infrastructure projects that improve the communities where you live and work.

The T&L Advantage: Why Join Us?

Joining our team means becoming part of a forward-thinking organization committed to providing an environment where senior professionals can excel, lead, and share directly in the firm's success.

• Defined Leadership Trajectory: We are intentionally hiring with leadership succession in mind. As you establish your project portfolio, you will have a direct pathway to transition into a Lead Engineer role—taking charge of client relationships, business development initiatives, and team operations.
• Employee Ownership & Long-Term Retirement Value: We are proud to be an Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) company. When you join T&L, you become an owner. Our ESOP provides team members with a direct ownership stake in the firm's growth and the opportunity to build meaningful long-term financial value through the company's success.
• Mentorship & Team Building: We invest in our people. As you grow into leadership, your ability to mentor junior engineers and shape team culture will be just as valued as your high-level technical expertise.
• Innovative Work Environment: We foster a culture of innovation and collaboration where senior expertise is valued, creative problem-solving is encouraged, and team members work with an owner's mindset.
• Competitive Compensation & Benefits: We offer a competitive salary, comprehensive health coverage, generous time off, and strong retirement benefits designed to support you and your family at every stage of life.