Sr. Regional Drinking Water Process Leader

Black & Veatch; Atlanta (GA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Black & Veatch is seeking a lead water process engineer in Atlanta, GA. This role involves applying technical expertise in conventional and advanced water treatment processes, such as membrane filtration and reverse osmosis. With a strong focus on solving complex engineering challenges, you'll guide project teams and partner with clients to develop innovative treatment solutions.

The ideal candidate has 15+ years of experience in drinking water treatment and strong leadership skills. Flexible work options may be available after initial employment.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience in drinking water treatment and at least 5 years in water quality and treatment.
• Leadership in consulting and project execution.
• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead water process engineering for various water treatment projects.
• Prepare engineering deliverables like process flow diagrams and design memoranda.
• Support multiple projects with complex technical challenges.

Skills

Water treatment processes

Advanced treatment techniques

Technical writing skills

Project management

Education

Master's or Doctoral degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Job description

Job Details

Date: Jun 17, 2026

Location: Atlanta, GA; Cary, NC; Greenville, SC; Charlotte, NC

Company: Black & Veatch Corporation

Opportunity Type: Staff

Relocation eligible: Yes

Full time/Part time: Full-Time

Project Only Hire: No

Visa Sponsorship: No

Overview

As an employee‑owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity’s biggest challenges in an ever‑evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, we are building a world of difference.

The Opportunity

In this role, you will have the opportunity to:

• Function as a lead water process engineer, technical specialist, or subject matter expert in conventional water treatment processes such as coagulation, clarification, softening, media filtration; and advanced processes such as membrane filtration, reverse osmosis (brackish, seawater), UV/AOP, ozonation, carbon adsorption, and/or distribution system water quality. Experience in water reuse, brackish and seawater desalination is desirable.
• With limited direction, develop and apply advanced treatment and engineering techniques, concepts, and approaches to solve complex engineering problems for a wide range of water quality and treatment challenges.
• Provide technical guidance to project teams, supervise junior process engineering staff on projects, and collaborate with multidisciplinary design teams to implement complex treatment solutions.
• Develop and present technical evaluations and recommendations to clients and key stakeholders.
• Be responsible for business development activities and external marketing opportunities such as presenting at local/national conferences, building/maintaining client relationships, and supporting new business pursuits and proposal development.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare a variety of engineering deliverables, including process/mass balance calculations, design criteria/basis of design memoranda, process flow diagrams, process and instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), trade‑off studies, and master planning studies.
• Support multiple projects simultaneously with complex technical challenges.
• Act as a technical specialist with knowledge and skillset providing guidance to project teams in water quality considerations and conventional and/or advanced water treatment systems.
• Perform applied research activities involving bench, pilot, and full‑scale testing to select or assess alternative treatment processes.
• Develop recommendations for appropriate treatment process, equipment, and/or materials selection.
• Oversee collection, assimilation, analysis, and management of data for process design work.
• Prepare and/or oversee the development of complex engineering calculations following standard methods and principles.
• Manage assigned scope, budget, and schedule requirements for projects while maintaining expectations for quality.
• Independently apply advanced engineering techniques and problem‑solving analyses.
• Develop conceptual‑level life‑cycle costs to evaluate treatment options.
• Demonstrate strong technical writing skills and effective communication skills.
• Actively coordinate with internal and external team members for successful project execution.

Client Focus

• Identify key client interests and drivers for ongoing projects and new business prospects.
• Communicate client interests and drivers to project team members and develop creative solutions and approaches to accommodate clients’ goals and objectives.
• Support business development and pursuit activities, including pre‑positioning meetings, proposal development, client interviews, and identification of winning sales messages.
• Present applied research, industry trends, challenging projects, and thought leadership ideas at local, regional, and national conferences.

People Management

• Foster technical and professional development of junior engineers.
• Participate in coaching/mentoring opportunities, career development planning, learning/training, and development of junior staff.
• Review or manage the work of junior engineers.

Engineering Standards

• Provide guidance and direction on department design guides, standards, systems, and applicable engineering codes related to water quality and treatment.
• Assist in developing, maintaining, and updating engineering standards.
• Provide technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.

Management Responsibilities

Supervise the work of others. Responsible for hiring, discipline, and pay administration of subordinates.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master’s or Doctoral) in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering preferred.
• 15 years of experience in drinking water treatment with at least 5 years in water quality and treatment (water quality analysis, treatment evaluations, process design, regulatory compliance assessments, distribution water quality analysis, etc.).
• Advanced knowledge of process design for treatment of municipal effluent for reuse, brackish and seawater desalination, brine management, engineering design principles and applicable design guides and standards related to the assigned engineering discipline.
• Established leadership skills with deep understanding of consulting, project execution, client services, and business development.
• Effective written and oral communications, drive for results, priority setting, planning, delegation, direct others, conflict management, informing, listening, dealing with ambiguity, and building effective teams.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from a recognized accredited program in the applicant’s home country or the country in which the professional is practicing.
• Minimum of 15 years related work experience.
• All applicants must be able to complete pre‑employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any or all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.

Certifications

Professional engineering license from any of the states in the USA or ability to obtain one within 2 years of employment required.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance, and work assignments.

Salary Plan

Engineering (ENG)

Job Grade

018

Equal Employment Opportunity

Black & Veatch complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity laws and regulations. Black & Veatch does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or other status protected by law.