Senior Engineer - Water Pipeline Infrastructure

City of Santa Fe Springs; Apple Valley (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

City of Santa Fe Springs is seeking a Senior Engineer - Water Pipeline Infrastructure to lead medium-scale capital projects from planning through construction, applying advanced engineering tools and communicating clearly with internal teams and external partners.

The ideal candidate has a 5+ years track record in water pipeline design and asset management, California licensure preferred, and the ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders in a hybrid work environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field is required.
• Graduate degree in a related field is preferred.
• Professional Engineering license in California is preferred; must obtain within two years if hired.

Responsibilities

• Independently manages medium-scale capital projects through planning, procurement, and construction phases.
• Reviews and assesses technical proposals, contractor submittals, and engineering designs for compliance.
• Manages hydraulic modeling, condition assessments, and asset data maintenance.
• Prepare well-structured technical reports, memos, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Project management

Civil engineering

Water infrastructure

Regulatory compliance

Technical reporting

CADD/GIS

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

Graduate degree preferred

PE license preferred

Tools

MS Project

Primavera

CADD

GIS

Job description

Qualifications

Overview of Role

The Senior Engineer - Water Pipeline Infrastructure manages infrastructure engineering and asset management functions for the Agency, working in close coordination with the Engineering Manager. They independently manage medium-scale capital projects through planning, procurement, and construction phases, conduct technical evaluations and assessments, and ensure compliance with applicable standards and regulatory requirements. They apply advanced engineering software tools to support project design, spatial analysis, and asset data maintenance, and contribute to Agency planning through clear technical communication with internal teams and external partners.

Functional Competencies

Job-specific Competencies Critical To Success

Critical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Independently diagnoses and resolves engineering or construction issues.
• Weighs risks, considers multiple solutions, and adapts methods to specific project constraints.
• Exercises judgment to engage others as appropriate.

Project & Construction Management

• Independently manages medium-scale projects through planning, procurement, and construction phases.
• Develops and oversees scopes, schedules, budgets, and technical documents.
• Leads construction meetings, processes change orders, and ensures compliance with contract terms, codes, and safety standards.
• Coordinates internal teams and external partners; uses project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera) to monitor progress and reporting.

Technical Evaluations, Review, and Assessment

• Independently reviews and assesses technical proposals, contractor submittals, and engineering designs.
• Ensures compliance with standards and project requirements.
• Designs and conducts credible technical evaluations related to water pipeline infrastructure function.

Water Pipeline Infrastructure Engineering and Maintenance

• Helps manage water pipeline design and construction projects, including rehabilitation and replacement.
• Manages hydraulic modeling, condition assessments, and cost-benefit analyses.
• Helps resolve operational issues and ensures regulatory compliance.

Technical Communication

• Independently prepares well-structured technical reports, memos, and presentations.
• Explains complex engineering concepts to non-engineers and contributes to Agency planning discussions.

Engineering Software Systems (CADD, GIS, etc.)

• Integrates CADD, GIS, and/or other engineering software into project planning, design, and maintenance workflows.
• Performs advanced spatial analyses (e.g., hydraulic modeling support, service area analysis).
• Maintains accurate data in the software for water assets and coordinates with field staff for updates.

Behavioral Competencies

All Agency employees are expected to demonstrate the following behaviors:

Communication

• Listens actively and asks clarifying questions.
• Communicates clearly, concisely and respectfully to coworkers, stakeholders and customers.
• Manages emotions constructively in routine and stressful situations.

Accountability

• Follows through on commitments and updates others when plans change.
• Adheres to policies, safety standards, and procedures.
• Owns mistakes and takes corrective action.

Collaboration

• Shares information and resources proactively.
• Recognizes and values others’ expertise and responsibilities; seeks input when needed.
• Offers and requests help during high-demand or cross-team tasks.

Continuous Improvement

• Adapts to new processes, technologies, and priorities.
• Identifies, suggests and helps implement improvement opportunities.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is required.
• A graduate degree in one of the above-mentioned fields is preferred.

Experience

• 5 years minimum of progressively responsible professional engineering experience is required, including at least 2 years in project management or construction oversight.
• Experience in the planning, design, and implementation of water pipeline infrastructure projects is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid California Class C driver’s license and current automobile insurance are required.
• Professional Engineering License, State of California is preferred.
• If hired, will be required to obtain a Professional Engineering License in California within two years of start date.

Working Conditions

Required

Typical working conditions and physical demands required to perform the essential functions of the job include but are not limited to:

• Work in an office setting, primarily sitting, occasionally standing and walking
• Operate standard office equipment, including computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor
• Read printed materials and digital text and images
• Occasionally lift, carry, push or pull materials up to 60 pounds with the use of proper equipment
• Operate a motor vehicle to visit various Agency sites
• Work outside at infrastructure or construction sites, occasionally in cramped spaces, walking in operational areas, sometimes with uneven terrain and exposure to noise, dust, cold or hot weather, etc.
• Follow strict safety procedures and risk mitigation measures
• Occasionally may be required to interact with Agency customers or members of the public

Work Locations

This position can be hybrid - typically with three days a week in the Agency offices at 13846 Conference Center Drive, Apple Valley, CA - if the employee qualifies under Mojave Water Agency’s Remote Work Policy . In-office presence is expected on a flexible basis, depending upon departmental needs and in coordination with the Engineering Manager. Remote work isn’t guaranteed and may change over time.

Benefits

• PERS Retirement: 2% at age 62 calculated as average of highest 3 consecutive years of pay, 5-year vesting
• (Prior Public Service before 2013 is 2% at age 55 calculated on highest annual salary - without a 6-month gap in service)
• Flexible Benefits Package $36,705.76 annually to go towards:
  • Medical Insurance: Choice of PPO or HMO Plan
  • Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan (pre-tax and post-tax options)
  • Employee cost share of CalPERS
  • Health Reimbursement Arrangement (HRA) Plan available
• Additional amounts beyond what is provided in the Flexible Benefits Package may be contributed by employee to Deferred Compensation 457(b) plan (pre-tax and post-tax options)
• 5% of base pay rate placed into 401 (a) account by Agency
• Vacation: 10 days per year, maxing out at 20 days per year, based on years of service
• Vacation pay out option available
• 40 hours of flex time leave per fiscal year
• Paid Holidays: 14 days per year
• Sick leave: 12 days per year
• Life, Dental and Vision Insurance: 100% paid by Agency for employee and dependent(s)
• Tuition Reimbursement up to IRS non-taxable amount per IRC Section 127, after 12 months of employment
• Employee Assistance Program
• Long-Term Disability: 100% premium paid by Agency with coverage of up to 66 2/3% of salary allowable income in coordination with State Plans
• Interest Free Computer Loan Program up to $3,000 after 12 months of employment
• Professional development, seminars and conferences
• 9/80 Work Schedule

The Agency does not participate in the Social Security program, except for the mandatory 1.45% Medicare contribution.

01

Which statement below best describes the highest level of education you have completed?

• High school graduate, diploma or the equivalent (GED)
• Associate degree
• Bachelor's degree
• Master's degree
• Professional degreeDoctorate degree

02

How many years of professional __________ experience do you have?

• No experience
• Less than 1 year of experience
• 1 year but less than 2 years of experience
• 2 years but less than 3 years experience
• 3 or more years of experience

03

Describe a capital project you managed independently from planning through construction closeout. What were the most significant schedule or budget challenges you encountered, and how did you resolve them?

04

Describe your experience managing water pipeline design or rehabilitation projects. What methods did you use to evaluate condition, prioritize work, and ensure regulatory compliance?

05

Tell us about a time you identified that a deliverable or commitment was at risk of not being met. How did you communicate that and what steps did you take?

06

Describe a project where you had to coordinate across internal teams and external contractors or consultants. How did you keep all parties aligned and what challenges did you navigate?

07

Describe a complex pipeline infrastructure or rehabilitation program you led. How did you balance technical, operational, and long-term asset management considerations?

08

Tell us about a time you had to communicate a complex engineering issue or recommendation to non-technical decision-makers. How did you frame the information and how did it influence the outcome?

09

Describe a significant process, program, or technical approach you introduced or redesigned that improved how infrastructure work was planned or delivered at your organization. What drove the change and what were the results

• Required Question