Waste Water Engineer

recruitAbility; Saint Paul (MN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Fortune 250 Cooperative in Arden Hills, MN, seeks a Principal Wastewater Engineer to lead enterprise-wide wastewater programs across a multi-site manufacturing network. You will provide technical leadership, ensure regulatory compliance, and optimize treatment operations with data-driven metrics.

Responsibilities include developing standards and SOPs, leading root-cause investigations, supporting capital projects, and delivering network-wide training while traveling up to 50% to facilities.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of industrial wastewater treatment experience in food, dairy, agricultural, or industrial manufacturing.
• Experience supporting multi-site or corporate environmental programs and capital projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field; Master’s, PE license, or operator certifications preferred.
• Strong collaboration, communication, and project-management skills with ability to travel ~50%.

Responsibilities

• Provide enterprise-wide technical leadership and operational support for wastewater treatment across a diverse, multi-site network.
• Ensure compliance with permits, discharge agreements, sludge management and environmental regulations.
• Optimize process performance by establishing metrics, scorecards, and analyzing data to address challenges.
• Develop and maintain network-wide standards, SOPs, playbooks, and WWMO(C) processes.
• Lead root cause investigations and provide onsite technical support during wastewater upsets.
• Support wastewater-related capital projects through design reviews, construction, startup, and training.
• Identify long-term capacity constraints and mitigate compliance risks while advancing strategies.
• Develop and deliver wastewater training programs and facilitate network-wide collaboration.

Skills

Industrial wastewater experience

Multi-site leadership

Data analysis

Project and PM

Training programs

Education

Bachelor’s in Environmental/Chemical/Civil Engineering or related

Job description

Our client is a Fortune 250, farmer- and member-owned cooperative with over a century of proven industry leadership that is actively reimagining the business of food. Recognized as a premier employer across the agricultural and manufacturing sectors, they empower farming communities and global consumers through sustainable, high-performance manufacturing networks and innovative operational practices. To provide enterprise-wide technical leadership, strategic planning, and operational support for wastewater treatment systems across their business units, they are looking for an experienced Principal Wastewater Engineer to join their Corporate Environmental Health & Safety team in Arden Hills, MN.

What YOU get to DO at this company:

• Provide enterprise-wide technical leadership and operational support for wastewater treatment operations across a diverse, multi-site manufacturing network
• Ensure strict compliance with wastewater permits, discharge agreements, sludge management requirements, and environmental regulations.
• Optimize process performance by establishing performance metrics, scorecards, reporting systems, and analyzing operational and laboratory data to address treatment challenges proactively.
• Develop and maintain network-wide operational standards, SOPs, playbooks, best practices, emergency response procedures, and Wastewater Management of Change (WWMOC) processes.
• Lead root cause investigations and provide direct, onsite technical support during wastewater treatment upsets.
• Support wastewater-related capital projects through design reviews, construction, startup, commissioning, and operator training
• Identify long-term wastewater treatment capacity constraints, mitigate compliance risks, and advance corporate wastewater management strategies.
• Develop and deliver wastewater training programs while facilitating network-wide operator collaboration.

What you NEED to SUCCEED in this challenging role:

• Industrial Wastewater Experience: 7+ years of industrial wastewater treatment experience, specifically within food, dairy, agricultural, or industrial manufacturing environments.
• Corporate & Multi-Site Leadership: Proven track record of supporting multi-site or corporate environmental programs, WWTP operations, optimization initiatives, and major capital projects.
• Education & Credentials: Bachelor's degree in Environmental, Chemical, or Civil Engineering, Environmental Science, or a related field (Master’s degree, PE license, or wastewater operator certifications strongly preferred).
• Technical & Analytical Aptitude: Deep technical expertise in industrial wastewater treatment processes, environmental regulations, POTW discharge programs, high-strength waste management, and complex data analysis.
• Collaboration & Strategic Thinking: Exceptional project management, communication, and influence skills with the proven ability to collaborate across plant operations, engineering, regulators, and business leaders.
• Logistics Flexibility: Ability to be based in Arden Hills, MN with willingness to travel approximately 50% to manufacturing facilities across the network.

What is in it for YOU:

• Competitive Compensation Package: This role includes a competitive salary and generous bonus package.
• Enterprise-Wide Impact: Direct ownership and authority as the company's technical wastewater expert, shaping environmental safety and operational reliability across an entire manufacturing network.
• Corporate Environmental Leadership: The opportunity to advance strategic sustainability initiatives, mitigate long-term operational risks, and modernize infrastructure.
• Top-Tier Workplace Culture: Joining a purpose-driven, award-winning organization recognized globally for innovation, sustainability, and member-owned stability.