Senior Water Resource Engineer

GHD; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 116,000 - 175,000; Full time

Job summary

GHD is seeking a Senior Water Resources Engineer to lead hydrology and drainage design across transportation and municipal projects in Southern California. The role emphasizes hydrologic modelling, permit-compliant solutions, and collaboration with roadways, coastal resilience, and MS4 requirements.

Ideal candidates have strong Civil Engineering credentials, 7+ years in water infrastructure design, and a track record of mentoring engineers. Hybrid work across multiple CA offices is available.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Civil, Environmental, or similar).
• Registered Civil Professional Engineer in California preferred or available to obtain within 1 year.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydrologic, hydraulic, stormwater quality, and drainage design for SC/SoCal projects.
• Develop scopes, budgets, schedules, and staffing for hydraulic tasks.
• Provide QA/QC on engineering designs and reports for municipal infrastructure.

Skills

Hydrology

Hydraulic modelling

Technical writing

Project leadership

Mentorship

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

CA Professional Engineer (preferred)

Tools

Civil 3D

PCSWMM

HEC-RAS

HydroCAD

FlowMaster

XP-SWMM

Job description

Job Description

The importance of water to the health of our world can’t be overstated.
As the frequency and intensity of floods, droughts and storms increases, the water industry must continue to build resiliency and lead from the front.

Job Description
The importance of water to the health of our world can’t be overstated.
As the frequency and intensity of floods, droughts and storms increases, the water industry must continue to build resiliency and lead from the front.
You’ll be able to apply our powerful global network of skills and decades of experience to create positive water outcomes that respect nature and nurture communities.
Who are we looking for?
The Integrated Water Management Group is seeking a Senior Water Resources Engineer to support water related projects associated with transportation, active transportation, resilience, and municipal infrastructure throughout Southern California. This position will serve as a technical lead for hydrology, hydraulics, stormwater quality, and drainage design on multidisciplinary projects including roadways, complete streets, trails, bridges, pump stations, coastal resiliency, and flood mitigation improvements.
This position can be located in any of our offices in Southern CA, San Diego, Irvine, Long Beach or Los Angeles.
Our Hybrid Work Model: Be part of the dynamic culture! Our workplace thrives on a hybrid model, combining in-office collaboration and flexibility. Join us in the office three days a week to contribute, connect and excel in our vibrant environment.
The ideal candidate brings a strong understanding of Southern California stormwater regulations, MS4 permit compliance, water quality requirements, hydraulic modeling, and transportation drainage design. This individual will work closely with roadway, civil, coastal, environmental, and structural engineers to develop innovative, resilient, and permit-compliant infrastructure solutions.
Primary Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Serve as technical/discipline lead for hydrologic, hydraulic, stormwater quality, and drainage design for our multi-disciplined infrastructure projects in the San Diego and greater Southern California region.
• Develop scopes, budgets, schedules, and staffing plans for hydraulic and stormwater engineering tasks.
• Lead development of drainage studies, H&H reports, SWQMPs, water quality technical memoranda, flood studies, and resiliency assessments.
• Attend scheduled Project Management meetings to discuss project resource needs and conflicts, unbilled and aging accounts receivables, and proposal activity
• Provide guidance and QA/QC on all engineering design, calculations, design briefs and technical reports for municipal infrastructure, master plans, environmental assessments, and detailed design projects
• Provide hands-on technical guidance to engineers and technical staff in delivering ongoing municipal water and wastewater projects
• Mentorship of project engineers and designers in the development of their engineering and design skills
• Build and maintain relationships with local agencies throughout Southern California, including cities, counties, Caltrans, transportation agencies, flood control agencies, and resource agencies.
• Support proposals, client development, and strategic growth of GHD's transportation and resiliency practice.

The ideal candidate would have the following experience/skills:

• Proven experience preparing complex engineering analysis and planning including hydraulic analysis and stormwater management design
• Experience in developing project scope, schedule, and budget as it relates to hydraulic portions of the project scope.
• Strong technical writing skills and experience developing drainage studies, hydraulic reports, basis of design reports, and technical memoranda.
• Must be able to work on multiple assignments simultaneously; and have strong organizational, problem solving, communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills
• Expertise using Civil 3D and hydraulic modeling software such as PCSWMM, HEC-RAS, HydroCAD, FlowMaster, XP-SWMM, or equivalent.
• Stormwater BMP evaluation, sizing, and design.
• Experience leading a small team of engineers or technical staff
• Experience with local municipal clients in San Diego and Southern California
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering (Civil, Environmental, or similar)
• Registered Civil Professional Engineer in the State of California preferred, if not currently held need to achieve within 1 year of hire.
• Minimum 7 years of civil engineering experience with a focus on design and construction of water and wastewater infrastructure projects, preferably within multidisciplinary or transportation focused projects
  

As a multicultural organization, we encourage individual achievement and recognize the strength of a diverse workforce. GHD is an equal opportunity employer. We provide equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants without regard to race, creed, religion, national origin, citizenship, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, marital status or veteran status.
Salary Range $116,000-$175,000 based on experience