Wastewater Design Engineer / Project Engineer

National Rural Water Association; Salem (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS in Virginia is seeking an experienced engineer to design infrastructure and wastewater treatment systems, spanning concept through startup and operation. You will develop detailed 3D models, fabrication drawings, and BOMs, coordinating with fabrication partners and field teams.

The role emphasizes cross-disciplinary collaboration, process improvement, and hands-on involvement in moving designs to production, with remote or hybrid work options for the right candidate.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Chemical, or a related engineering discipline.
• Approximately 6-8 years of relevant engineering experience, preferably involving wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, or process/mechanical systems.
• Strong water/wastewater engineering experience.
• Strong 3D mechanical-design capabilities.
• Experience with Autodesk Inventor, or substantial comparable parametric 3D CAD experience with the ability to transition quickly to Inventor.
• Experience preparing detailed engineering and fabrication drawings.
• Understanding of pumps, piping, valves, process equipment, instrumentation, and mechanical systems.
• Ability to interpret plans, specifications, P&IDs, equipment submittals, and vendor drawings.
• Experience developing or reviewing bills of materials.
• Strong technical problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple active projects and priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Perform engineering and design for wastewater treatment systems, pump stations, and related infrastructure.
• Develop equipment layouts, piping arrangements, mechanical assemblies, fabrication details, and system configurations.
• Create and modify detailed 3D models using Autodesk Inventor.
• Develop fabrication‑ready drawing packages.
• Prepare and review bills of materials, equipment schedules, and material takeoffs.
• Translate approved project submittals into detailed production designs.
• Coordinate pumps, blowers, piping, valves, tanks, instrumentation, controls, structural components, and ancillary equipment.
• Review designs for constructability, manufacturability, maintainability, and completeness.
• Help define logical fabrication and assembly sequences.
• Coordinate technical questions from fabrication partners and field personnel.
• Identify drawing, BOM, or design gaps before they become production problems.
• Review vendor drawings and equipment information.
• Participate in project design reviews and engineering QA/QC.
• Support project submittal development and technical responses.
• Assist procurement by establishing accurate equipment and material requirements.
• Provide technical support during installation, startup, and commissioning when needed.
• Help develop and improve standardized design methods, templates, libraries, and engineering automation.
• Work with senior engineering staff to continuously improve INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS’ design‑to‑production processes.

Skills

3D CAD

Autodesk Inventor

P&IDs understanding

Engineering communication

Multiple projects

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Environmental/Mechanical/Chemical engineering

Tools

Autodesk Inventor

Job description

About INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS

INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS is a next-generation engineering, manufacturing, and infrastructure solutions company working to transform how water and wastewater systems are designed, built, and delivered. Our systems include modular wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, process equipment, and related infrastructure – all developed with a focus on practical innovation, reliable performance, and sustainable water management.

We are growing quickly and seeking individuals who are energized by solving water/wastewater infrastructure and environmental challenges and seeing the results of their work in the field. Our long‑term mission is bigger than any one project: help modernize water and wastewater infrastructure, improve the way systems are built and operated, and ultimately take better infrastructure solutions to communities that need them.

Our goal is not simply to manufacture individual pieces of equipment. We are building a model around fully integrated water and wastewater infrastructure solutions — bringing engineering, equipment, fabrication, project execution, startup, and technical support together under one organization. Learn more about our mission, culture, and careers opportunities at INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS

We’re building a company for people who want to challenge conventional approaches, solve difficult water and wastewater infrastructure challenges, work across disciplines, and see the direct impact of what they create. If you’re looking for an organization where engineering, manufacturing, technology, water resource management and environmental stewardship come together — and where your work can directly influence how infrastructure is designed, built, and operated — INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS may be the place for you.

The Opportunity

What if engineering didn’t stop at the drawing?

For many engineers, the traditional consulting model creates distance between the person designing a system and the system that ultimately gets built. You may develop calculations, specifications, plans, and drawings — but have limited opportunity to participate in fabrication, manufacturing, construction, startup, or operation.

This role is different.

At INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS, our engineers work across the full lifecycle of the systems we develop — from concept and process design through detailed 3D engineering, fabrication, manufacturing, installation, startup, commissioning, and operation.

You’ll have the opportunity to see your designs become physical infrastructure, work directly with the people building and installing them, identify what works and what doesn’t, and carry those lessons directly back into the next generation of our products and systems. You’ll also have an opportunity to help shape the engineering systems, design tools, standards, and technical knowledge base that will support INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS as we scale.

We’re looking for an engineer who enjoys water and wastewater engineering but wants to be closer to the outcome — not just the design.

Someone who doesn’t just want to ask:

“Does the design work on paper?”

but also:

“Can we build it efficiently? Can we install it reliably? Can we operate and maintain it? And how can we make the next one better?”

If you’ve spent your career designing infrastructure and have ever wanted to follow that design all the way through fabrication, construction, startup, and operation, this may be the opportunity you’ve been looking for.

At INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS, engineering doesn’t end when the drawings are issued.

Concept Design Fabrication Manufacturing Installation Commissioning Operation Continuous Improvement

Key Responsibilities

• Perform engineering and design for wastewater treatment systems, pump stations, and related infrastructure.
• Develop equipment layouts, piping arrangements, mechanical assemblies, fabrication details, and system configurations.
• Create and modify detailed 3D models using Autodesk Inventor.
• Develop fabrication‑ready drawing packages.
• Prepare and review bills of materials, equipment schedules, and material takeoffs.
• Translate approved project submittals into detailed production designs.
• Coordinate pumps, blowers, piping, valves, tanks, instrumentation, controls, structural components, and ancillary equipment.
• Review designs for constructability, manufacturability, maintainability, and completeness.
• Help define logical fabrication and assembly sequences.
• Coordinate technical questions from fabrication partners and field personnel.
• Identify drawing, BOM, or design gaps before they become production problems.
• Review vendor drawings and equipment information.
• Participate in project design reviews and engineering QA/QC.
• Support project submittal development and technical responses.
• Assist procurement by establishing accurate equipment and material requirements.
• Provide technical support during installation, startup, and commissioning when needed.
• Help develop and improve standardized design methods, templates, libraries, and engineering automation.
• Work with senior engineering staff to continuously improve INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS’ design‑to‑production processes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, Chemical, or a related engineering discipline.
• Approximately 6-8 years of relevant engineering experience, preferably involving wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, or process/mechanical systems.
• Strong water/wastewater engineering experience.
• Strong 3D mechanical‑design capabilities.
• Experience with Autodesk Inventor, or substantial comparable parametric 3D CAD experience with the ability to transition quickly to Inventor.
• Experience preparing detailed engineering and fabrication drawings.
• Understanding of pumps, piping, valves, process equipment, instrumentation, and mechanical systems.
• Ability to interpret plans, specifications, P&IDs, equipment submittals, and vendor drawings.
• Experience developing or reviewing bills of materials.
• Strong technical problem‑solving skills and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple active projects and priorities.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Particularly Valuable Experience

• Municipal wastewater treatment or decentralized/packaged treatment systems.
• Pump stations / lift stations and pumping systems.
• Process piping and equipment skids.
• Plastic fabrication, HDPE, or polypropylene systems.
• Design‑for‑manufacturing and fabrication drawing development.
• Instrumentation, controls, and PLC/control‑panel coordination.
• Startup, commissioning, construction, or field engineering.
• Autodesk Inventor‑based engineering workflows.

Professional Licensure

Professional Engineer licensure is preferred but not required. Relevant wastewater experience, technical capability, strong design skills, and the ability to develop fabrication‑ready systems are particularly important for this position.

Location & Work Arrangement

This position may be based in the Salem / Roanoke Valley or Blacksburg / New River Valley areas in Virginia. INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS is also open to a remote or hybrid work arrangement for the right candidate, particularly an experienced engineer who can work effectively within a collaborative engineering and project‑delivery environment.

Because this position directly supports fabrication, production, field implementation, and customers, remote employees should expect periodic travel for project coordination, fabrication reviews, site visits, commissioning, and internal engineering/production meetings.

INFRASTRUCTURE DYNAMICS is an equal opportunity employer.