Wastewater Treatment Design Engineer

Gannett Fleming; Fairfax (VA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) savings

PTO accrual

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Incentive compensation

Job summary

GFT is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Design Engineer to join our Water team. This hybrid role requires attendance at an office and focuses on innovative, sustainable water infrastructure solutions including treatment, hydraulics, and data-driven optimization.

You will lead design efforts for plants and networks, perform hydraulic analyses, ensure regulatory compliance, and manage projects from feasibility through construction.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental or Chemical Engineering required; MS preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required or ability to obtain in 6–12 months.
• 8+ years of wastewater design experience, with water/wastewater infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, and collection networks with CAD drawings.
• Optimize treatment processes to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• Perform hydraulic analyses and pump selection for new and existing facilities.
• Analyze lab data and operator reports to resolve issues and improve operations.
• Ensure regulatory compliance and safety standards are met.
• Manage projects from feasibility through construction; prepare cost projections and schedules.

Skills

Engineering design

Wastewater engineering

Process design

Education

BS in Civil, Environmental, Chemical Engineering

MS preferred

Tools

CAD software

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Design Engineer to join our Water team! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring attendance at one of our many offices.

Joining the water resources team atGFT means contributing to innovative solutions for sustainable water management and infrastructure. Our team excels in dams and levees, advanced water and wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and conveyance, collection, and transmission. With a focus on integrating technology, sustainability, and compliance, we consider each water resources and environmental remediation project a chance to innovate and evolve to protect public health and enhance quality of life. Explore some of our signature water resources and environmental projects here.

What you'll be challenged to do

In this role you will lead and support design, optimize, and manage systems that treat and transport wastewater to ensure safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following

System Design: Designing wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, and collection networks, including detailed CAD drawings and equipment selection. Design new treatment systems or upgrade existing ones, including biological nutrient removal, sludge handling, and filtration processes.

Process Optimization: Analyzing and enhancing treatment techniques (e.g., pH adjustment, chemical dosing, aeration) to improve efficiency and reduce costs.

System Hydraulics: Performing hydraulic analysis of existing and new wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and piping systems, making pump selections, and evaluating performance of existing pumps.

Testing and Monitoring: Analyze lab data, operator reports, and chemical usage to resolve operational issues and improve efficiency.

Compliance and Safety: Ensure that treated wastewater meets municipal or industrial regulatory standards, protecting public health and the environment.

Project Management: Conducting feasibility studies, upgrading existing infrastructure, and managing projects from design to completion. Develop cost projections, feasibility studies, and supervise construction or commissioning of new technology.

Data Analysis: Monitoring operator reports and lab results to refine treatment techniques.

Technical: Function as a technical specialist in the areas of conventional and advanced wastewater treatment. Use processes such as physical/chemical primary treatment, conventional activated sludge, biological nutrient removal, fixed-film processes, membrane bio-reactors (MBR), side stream treatment, tertiary filtration, auxiliary wet-weather treatment, and disinfection.

Education | Experience

• BS in Civil, Environmental, Chemical Engineering (MS is preferred)

• Professional Engineer Licensed required (PE) or the ability to obtain in 6-12 months
• 8 + years of experience required in wastewater discipline, particularly as a wastewater engineer designing (study, plans and specifications) water and/or wastewater infrastructure (i.e. treatment and collection/distribution projects)

• Expert knowledge in standard engineering techniques and procedures.

• EPC project experience preferred; design and construction of wastewater treatment facilities, including three or more years leading process design of wastewater projects with full responsibility for the budget, schedule, contractual obligations, client service, and quality standards preferred.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in preliminary treatment, primary treatment, biological treatment (including BNR), disinfection, hydraulics, and solids processing and handling preferred.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $200,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships - that's why we're the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry's brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century's experience, together we're building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans' status or other characteristics protected by law.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Fairfax, Newport News, Richmond, Virginia Beach,VA; Raleigh, NC; Baltimore or Owings Mills, MD
Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Employment Status: Full-Time