Senior Project Engineer - Water System

National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA); Grand Rapids (MI); On-site; USD 100,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

National Association of Clean Water Agencies (NACWA) in Grand Rapids, MI seeks an accomplished engineer to lead complex water system projects, from planning through construction, while coordinating with city departments and external vendors. This role oversees budget development, asset management, and long‑term maintenance planning.

You will supervise staff, mentor junior engineers, and drive improvements in reliability and efficiency of the water distribution network over 5–20+ years.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering is required.
• Four years of professional engineering experience, with at least two years in city water systems.
• Professional Engineer license required.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex water system capital projects from planning through construction.
• Oversee consultants, contractors, and vendors with Engineering and City departments.
• Prepare and manage the water distribution budget and cost estimates.
• Supervise and mentor mechanics and support staff; lead succession planning.
• Ensure asset reliability and maintenance plans for 5–20+ year horizons.
• Coordinate studies and data collection for scope and cost development.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Budgeting

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering

Job description

Nature of Work

The purpose of this job is to provide lead and professional engineering work in the investigation, development, construction and maintenance of projects in the Grand Rapids Water System.

The work involves responsibility for supervising and participating in the conduct of engineering activities which include the preparation of engineering design, plans, specifications, contract work items, bid proposal and cost estimates for various projects, and the inspection of city contract construction activities. Work is performed under the general supervision of our Assistant Water System Manager and is reviewed through discussion and inspection of projects in progress and upon completion.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Manage complex water system capital projects, including planning, design and construction.
• Collaborate with Engineering and other City departments to oversee consultants, contractors, and vendors.
• Provide technical support and information as needed.
• Oversee operations and maintenance of water distribution facilities (pump stations, storage tanks, transmission mains).
• Manage predictive, preventive, and corrective maintenance of pumps, motors, valves, communications, and electrical systems.
• Coordinate engineering studies and field data collection for cost estimates and scope development.
• Develop long-term capital and maintenance plans spanning 5–20+ years.
• Create detailed workplans for planned and emergency system outages involving transmission mains, pump stations, and storage facilities.
• Coordinate teams and develop alternative operation plans during system shutdowns.
• Prepare and manage the water distribution budget, including personnel, equipment, services, supplies, and utilities.
• Maintain asset inventory, review the criticality and probability of failure of distribution assets, and develops and implements maintenance plans to ensure assets remain available and functional throughout their useful life.
• Implement maintenance plans to ensure asset reliability and longevity.
• Assist Utility Engineering with planning, design, and review of water system improvements.
• Prepare requests for proposals and establishes timelines to ensure successful project completion.
• Review plans and specifications to ensure compliance with city specifications and strategic plans.
• Prioritize, assign, and evaluate the work of mechanics and support staff, providing training, leadership, and mentorship.
• Supervises and helps develop less experienced staff while managing succession planning.
• Perform other related duties as assigned

Minimum Training And Experience

• Bachelor's degree in civil, electrical, or mechanical engineering

--AND--

• Four (4) years of professional engineering experience of which two (2) years must be in city water systems.

--OR--

• Any equivalent combination of training and experience.

Required Licenses or Certifications

• Professional Engineer license