Wastewater Senior Technical Manager

Woodard & Curran; California; Hybrid; USD 160,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Health, dental, and vision plans

Paid sick time

Vacation days based on years of experience

Job summary

Woodard & Curran is looking for a Senior Technical Manager to lead wastewater engineering services in Southern California. The role involves managing projects from design to startup, mentoring junior engineers, and driving technical excellence in the West Region.

The ideal candidate will have 20+ years of experience in wastewater systems, strong leadership abilities, and a track record in business development. This hybrid position offers significant opportunities to impact municipal clients and communities.

Qualifications

• 20+ years of experience in wastewater engineering project evaluation, planning, design, and construction.
• Experience leading a minimum of 5+ wastewater treatment facility designs.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to mentor junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical projects in wastewater systems from design to operations.
• Grow the South Region Wastewater Team and direct project teams.
• Build relationships and contribute to business development efforts in municipal wastewater.

Skills

Technical leadership in wastewater engineering

Client relationship management

Project management

Regulatory compliance in California

Education

B.S. Degree in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering

Registered Professional Engineer in California

Job description

Overview

Woodard & Curran is a national engineering, science and operations firm with a simple vision for clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities and happy people. As an employee‑owned company, we cultivate teams that encourage collaboration in an inclusive culture. We seek talented individuals from all backgrounds to help us address a broad range of water and environmental issues. We prioritize our people, offering opportunities for professional growth, ownership and flexibility. This commitment enables us to make a meaningful impact on our clients, communities and the planet.

What’s in it for you

Woodard & Curran is offering a unique opportunity to join one of our Southern California offices providing high‑quality wastewater engineering services to municipal clients throughout the West region and across the nation. The successful candidate will be a motivated, growth‑oriented professional with the ability to lead and grow the South Region Wastewater Team and multi‑discipline project teams from the concept, final design and construction phases; start‑up and operations of facilities. This is an opportunity for an experienced wastewater professional to make a meaningful regional impact – driving technical excellence, mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists, and partnering closely with communities to solve complex challenges.

Location

Southern California (office locations: San Diego, Los Angeles, Irvine)

This role is hybrid

Expected to be in the office at least one day per week, with additional on‑site presence on an as‑needed basis.

Travel

20%

Who we’re looking for

The candidate will primarily lead and support engineering on municipal wastewater projects; experience with drinking water, storm water, and industrial water applications is valuable. The role offers a chance to direct and collaborate with a team of junior staff. The ideal candidate is a Senior Technical Manager with strong experience in study, planning, and design of wastewater systems, including familiarity with a broad range of issues related to master planning, treatment and collection/distribution in water or wastewater systems. The candidate is energized by solving complex treatment challenges, enjoys working directly with clients, and is excited to play a key role in growing Woodard & Curran’s wastewater treatment practice in the West Region.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on wastewater projects of all sizes, from the concept, final design and construction phases; start‑up and operations of facilities.
• Lead and grow the West Region Wastewater Team and multi‑discipline project teams, identifying emerging opportunities, supporting key pursuits, and contributing to the firm’s long‑term technical leadership strategy.
• Build and strengthen client relationships, contributing to business development efforts, proposal preparation, and strategic pursuits in the municipal wastewater market.
• Serve as a recognized technical expert in wastewater treatment processes, with deep experience in planning, design, and implementation of municipal treatment systems, including biological processes.
• Review and oversee technical deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to industry standards and client expectations.
• Support the Project Manager and/or directly manage the financial and technical delivery of project tasks including scope, schedule, and budget.
• Serve as a technical resource for complex wastewater treatment processes, providing process expertise from planning and pilot studies through design, construction and startup.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to internal and/or external clients/professional societies and participate in committees and other external leadership opportunities through professional associations and other applicable organizations.
• Partner with project managers and client managers to support client relationships, identify opportunities, and contribute to business development efforts.
• Provide input on the development of Woodard & Curran design or technical guidelines and standards.

Qualifications

• Substantial technical expertise in civil and environmental engineering and in-depth understanding of engineering concepts associated with all types of municipal wastewater systems including collection system infrastructure and wastewater treatment processes.
• 20+ years of experience in evaluation, planning, design and construction of wastewater engineering projects.
• Lead technical engineer for a minimum of 5+ wastewater treatment facility designs (new or expansion).
• Expert in California regulations and standards.
• B.S. Degree in Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, or Environmental Engineering (M.S. preferred).
• Registered Professional Engineer in California (or ability to apply for reciprocity within 6 months of hire).
• Up‑to‑date on the latest advances in technology, regulatory trends, equipment, and processes.
• Ability to support and/or lead strategic initiatives to develop and expand business opportunities with new clients and geographies.
• Well‑versed in state and local regulations regarding wastewater treatment and collection systems.
• Superior writing, communication, and presentation skills.
• Strong leadership skills and ability to coach, mentor, and train individuals.

Salary

$160,000 - $190,000 a year. The final exempt salary or non‑exempt hourly pay will depend on experience level and may include a geographic differential. Group A (San Diego, CA) $160,000 - $180,000; Group B (Los Angeles - Irvine, CA) $170,000 - $190,000.

Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR)

Woodard & Curran uses a Mutual Dispute Resolution (MDR) to help resolve most employment‑related concerns efficiently and consistently. MDR applies to both the employee and the company. Most workplace‑related disputes are resolved through binding arbitration rather than court proceedings. Certain exceptions are outlined in the full agreement.

Employee Support & Benefits

Retirement Savings

• 401(k) Pre‑tax or Roth Contributions: company matches 100% of the first 3% of salary contributed.

Time away from work

• Observed holidays: choose up to 8 holidays to observe annually.
• Vacation: accrued based on years of experience and calculated on hours worked.
• Sick time: paid sick time for non‑work‑related illness or injury.
• Parental leave: up to 80 hours of paid parental leave for child bonding.

Coverage and support for your needs and well‑being

• Disability: paid short‑ and long‑term disability.
• Health: medical plan options; plus dental and vision plans.
• Life: basic employee group life insurance and AD&D benefits; additional voluntary life insurance available through Sun Life.
• Well‑being: DarioMind assistance program combined with personalized mental health and wellbeing resources.

E‑Verify Participation

Woodard & Curran participates in the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s E‑Verify program to confirm the employment eligibility of all newly hired employees.

Equal Employment Opportunity & Accessibility

Woodard & Curran is an equal‑opportunity employer committed to non‑discrimination and making employment decisions based on job‑related factors. Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. If you require a reasonable accommodation during the application process, please contact Beth Sweitzer.

Inclusion & Belonging

We welcome individuals from all backgrounds and believe diverse perspectives strengthen our ability to serve clients and communities. As an employee‑owned company, we are committed to fostering a respectful and inclusive environment where employees can grow, contribute fully, and deliver meaningful impact.