Senior Wastewater Technical Leader – West Region

Woodard & Curran; California; Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Health, dental, and vision plans

Paid sick time

Vacation days based on years of experience

Job summary

Woodard & Curran is looking for a Senior Technical Manager to lead wastewater engineering services in Southern California. The role involves managing projects from design to startup, mentoring junior engineers, and driving technical excellence in the West Region.

The ideal candidate will have 20+ years of experience in wastewater systems, strong leadership abilities, and a track record in business development. This hybrid position offers significant opportunities to impact municipal clients and communities.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in wastewater engineering project evaluation, planning, design, and construction.
• Experience leading a minimum of 5+ wastewater treatment facility designs.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical projects in wastewater systems from design to operations.
• Grow the South Region Wastewater Team and direct project teams.
• Build relationships and contribute to business development efforts in municipal wastewater.

Skills

Technical leadership in wastewater engineering

Client relationship management

Project management

Regulatory compliance in California

Education

B.S. Degree in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering

Registered Professional Engineer in California

Job description

Woodard & Curran is an employee-owned engineering, science, and operations firm dedicated to clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities, and happy people. We foster an inclusive, collaborative culture that supports professional growth, flexibility, and meaningful work, empowering our employees to make a lasting impact on our clients, communities, and the planet.

What’s in it for you:

Woodard & Curran is offering a unique opportunity to join one of our Southern California offices providing high quality wastewater engineering services to municipal clients throughout the West region and across the nation. The successful candidate will be a motivated, growth-oriented professional with an ability to lead and grow the South Region Wastewater Team and multi-discipline project teams from the concept, final design, and construction phases; start-up, and operations of facilities. This is an opportunity for an experienced wastewater professional to make a meaningful regional impact – driving technical excellence, mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists, and partnering closely with communities to solve complex challenges.

Location: Southern California (Office Locations: San Diego, Los Angeles, Irvine)

This role is hybrid. Candidates are expected to be in the office at least one day per week, with additional on‑site presence on an as‑needed basis.

Travel: 20%

Who are we looking for:

The selected candidate will primarily lead and support the engineering on municipal wastewater projects, however experience with drinking water, storm water, and industrial water applications is valuable. This position will have an opportunity to direct and collaborate with a team of junior staff. The ideal candidate is a Senior Technical Manager with strong experience in study, planning, and design of wastewater systems, including familiarity with a broad range of issues related to master planning, treatment and collection/distribution in water or wastewater systems. The ideal candidate is energized by solving complex treatment challenges, enjoys working directly with clients, and is excited to play a key role in growing Woodard & Curran’s wastewater treatment practice in the West Region. The candidate has led major treatment projects and is known for developing clear technical direction, strengthening deliverable quality through rigorous QA/QC, and partnering effectively with multidisciplinary teams to deliver practical, operable solutions.

What You Will Be Doing at Woodard & Curran:

• Provide technical leadership on wastewater projects of all sizes, from the concept, final design, and construction phases; start-up, and operations of facilities.
• Lead and grow the West Region Wastewater Team and multi-discipline project teams, identifying emerging opportunities, supporting key pursuits, and contributing to the firm’s long-term technical leadership strategy.
• Build and strengthen client relationships, contributing to business development efforts, proposal preparation, and strategic pursuits in the municipal wastewater market.
• A recognized technical expert in wastewater treatment process, with deep experience in planning, design, and implementation of municipal treatment systems, including biological
• Review and oversee technical deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to industry standards and client expectations.
• Supports Project Manager with and/or directly manages the financial and technical delivery of project tasks including scope, schedule, and budget.
• Serve as a technical resource for complex wastewater treatment processes, providing process expertise from planning and pilot studies through design, construction, and startup.
• Prepares and delivers presentations to internal and/or external clients/professional societies and participates in committees and other external leadership opportunities through professional associations and other applicable organizations.
• Partners with project managers and client managers to support client relationships, identify opportunities, and contribute to business development efforts.
• Provides input on development of Woodard & Curran design or technical guidelines and standards.
  
  

What You Will Need To Succeed:

• The successful candidate should have substantial technical expertise in the field of civil and environmental engineering and have in-depth understanding of the engineering concepts associated with all types of municipal wastewater systems including collection system infrastructure and wastewater treatment processes.
• 20+ years of experience in evaluation, planning, design, and construction of wastewater engineering projects.
• Lead technical engineer for a minimum of 5+ wastewater treatment facility designs (new or expansion).
• Considered an expert in California
• B.S. Degree in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering, M.S. Degree preferred.
• Registered Professional Engineering California (or ability to apply for reciprocity within 6 months of hire).
• Up to date on the latest advances in technology, regulatory trends, equipment, and processes.
• Ability to support and/or lead strategic initiatives to develop and expand business opportunities with new clients and geographies.
• Well versed in state and local regulations regarding wastewater treatment and collection systems.
• Superior writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to coach, mentor, and train individuals.
  
  

$160,000 - $190,000 a year

This position’s anticipated pay range is provided; the final exempt salary or non-exempt hourly pay will depend on experience level and consider a percentage-based geographic differential based on where the final candidate will be working. Geographic differentials recognize and reflect the cost of labor differences between geographic markets.

Group A (San Diego, CA) = $160,000 - $180,000

Group B (Los Angeles - Irvine, CA) = $170,000 - $190,000

Woodard & Curran offers a comprehensive benefits package. For more information about our benefits & workplace policies visit Benefit & Policy Information - Woodard & Curran .

E-Verify Participation : Woodard & Curran participates in E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees. As part of this process, we provide access to the Right to Work & E-Verify postings.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility: Woodard & Curran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to non-discrimination and make employment decisions based on job-related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer .

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