Senior Water Resources Engineer

Cochran; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary and bonuses

Full benefits package (medical, dental

401(k) with company match

Generous PTO and holidays

Continuing education support

Job summary

Cochran in Missouri is seeking a motivated Senior Project Engineer for the Water/Wastewater Division to plan, design, and deliver municipal infrastructure projects.

You will work with Project Managers and engineers on a variety of municipal and utility projects, from initial concept through construction, across Missouri. Strong technical and communication skills are essential for growth and teamwork at our Union, MO headquarters.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering
• EI/EIT certification preferred; PE licensure preferred
• 3–8 years of water/wastewater experience
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D and MS Office
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Knowledge of regulatory requirements and permitting

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, design and delivery of water and wastewater projects
• Prepare reports, calculations, specs, cost estimates and docs
• Develop drawings and models using AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Coordinate with project managers, clients, regulatory agencies, contractors
• Support scheduling, budgeting, and project delivery
• Assist with grants and permitting; support business development

Skills

Analytical skills

Verbal & written communication

Team collaboration

Organization

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

EI/EIT certification preferred; PE license preferred

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Microsoft Office

Job description

Cochran is a growing civil engineering firm with 7 Missouri offices, offering services in construction administration, materials testing, architectural and geotechnical engineering, and land surveying. Serving both public and private sectors, Cochran’s expertise spans municipal, commercial, residential, transportation, water/wastewater, site development, retail, planning, and interior design.

With 120+ professionals, the firm delivers tailored solutions backed by deep expertise and is guided by core values of teamwork, excellence, quality, and trust—ensuring principal involvement and outstanding service throughout every project.

Cochran’s headquarters' location located in Union, MO, is looking for a Senior Project Engineer- Water/Wastewater Division to join our team.

Position Overview:

We are seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Project Engineer to support the planning, design, and delivery of water and wastewater infrastructure projects. This position will work closely with Project Managers and other engineering professionals on a variety of municipal and utility projects, from initial concept through construction. The ideal candidate will have strong technical abilities, excellent communication skills, and a desire to grow professionally while serving communities throughout Missouri.

Key Responsibilities:

• Assist with the planning, design, and execution of water distribution, wastewater collection, and treatment projects.
• Prepare engineering reports, design calculations, technical specifications, cost estimates, and construction documents.
• Develop engineering drawings and models using AutoCAD Civil 3D and other design software.
• Coordinate with project managers, clients, regulatory agencies, contractors, and internal project teams.
• Support project scheduling, budgeting, and project delivery efforts.
• Perform field investigations, site visits, and construction observations as needed.
• Review shop drawings, submittals, RFIs, and contractor pay applications.
• Ensure projects comply with applicable local, state, and federal regulations and engineering standards.
• Assist with grant applications, funding programs, and permitting requirements.
• Contribute to business development efforts through proposal preparation and client support activities.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
• Engineer Intern (EI/EIT) certification preferred; Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain licensure preferred.
• 3-8 years of experience in water/wastewater engineering or related infrastructure projects.
• Experience preparing engineering plans, specifications, reports, and technical documentation.
• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and permitting processes.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and Microsoft Office applications.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication abilities.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and work collaboratively in a team environment.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with municipal clients and public infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with Missouri DNR regulations and permitting processes.
• Experience with hydraulic modeling, treatment system design, or utility infrastructure planning.
• Working knowledge of funding programs and grant opportunities for public infrastructure projects.
• Competitive salary and performance-based bonuses
• 100% company paid Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Long-Term Disability insurance for employees, plus company deductible assistance
• 401(k) with 4% company match
• Generous PTO plan and 7 major holidays
• Continuing education and professional development support

Cochran is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected status under applicable law.