Water Resources Engineer (2-5 years)

Riley Engineering; Tucson (AZ); On-site; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Company-paid health insurance

Company-paid dental insurance

Company-paid vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid time off (PTO) 3 weeks

Paid holidays 10 per year

Job summary

Riley Engineering, a Native American-owned civil engineering firm in Tucson, AZ, seeks a Water Resources Engineer to grow with a hands-on role across fieldwork and design. You will model water systems, design rural waterlines and sewer systems, and prepare technical reports for diverse clients, including tribal projects.

The role emphasizes field investigations, data collection, and project-based contributions, with salary in the $70k–$90k range and 40-hour weeks.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering
• 2–5 years of experience in civil engineering or water resources engineering consulting
• Valid Driver License
• Ability and willingness to perform extensive field work (up to two consecutive weeks in the field at a time)
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D

Responsibilities

• Model and evaluate water distribution systems using EPANET, WaterCAD, InfoWater, etc.
• Design long distance rural waterlines (alignment routing, plan and profile, pipe sizing)
• Design of sewer systems (extensions, septic systems, lagoons)
• Perform system planning, scenario analysis, and calibration
• Support preparation of permitting documents, engineering memos, and reports
• Design water and wastewater systems using AutoCAD Civil 3D
• Develop hydrologic and hydraulic models for stormwater control structures
• Perform hydrologic calculations using software such as HEC-HMS, HEC-SSP, HEC-DSSVue, and GIS
• Conduct hydraulic analyses and flood studies using HEC-RAS, Flow2D, FlowMaster, HY-8, CulvertMaster
• Prepare detailed technical reports documenting methods, field data, modeling, and conclusions
• Travel to project sites and coordinate with contractors and clients onsite

Skills

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Field work

Civil engineering

Driver's license

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Tools

EPANET

WaterCAD

InfoWater

HEC-RAS

HEC-HMS

HEC-SSP

DSSVue

GIS

Job description

At Riley Engineering, your work has a direct impact on the communities we serve. As a Native American-owned civil engineering firm specializing in water resources, we tackle complex challenges that affect public health, economic development, environmental stewardship, and access to essential infrastructure.

We're a team of problem-solvers who are passionate about engineering and committed to technical excellence. From day one, you will meaningfully contribute, work on diverse and challenging projects, and collaborate with leadership who value continuous learning and professional growth. 46% of our engineers have either a MS or PHD (or both) in civil engineering.

You’ll find more than a job at Riley, you’ll find purpose-driven work.

Candidate must demonstrate professional experience in an engineering consulting role. Resume must be project-based and include projects the candidate has worked on in the United States. Include: project title, client, location, your role, software you used, and any calculations or analyses you performed. Please do not apply if you do not meet these qualifications.

WATER RESOURCES ENGINEER ROLE

We are recruiting a talented and motivated civil engineer who is eager to grow with a dynamic and rapidly developing firm. This unique position will entail both field work and office-based engineering. The ideal candidate will feel energized conducting hands‑on field investigations, data collection, construction observations, and water/wastewater system assessments—while also excelling at technical analysis, design, modeling, and professional report writing. If you enjoy contributing to water, wastewater, drainage, and site civil projects across sectors such as mining, residential, commercial, and tribal clients, this role may be the perfect fit.

Salary Range: $70,000 – $90,000, depending on qualifications and experience, based on a 40‑hour work week.

EXAMPLES OF DUTIES

Office Responsibilities – Engineering & Technical Reporting

Water and Wastewater:

• Model and evaluate existing and proposed water distribution systems using EPANET, WaterCAD, InfoWater, etc.
• Design long distance rural waterlines (alignment routing, plan and profile, pipe sizing, booster station design, tank design, pressure reducing valves, etc.)
• Design of sewer systems (sewer system extensions, septic systems, lagoons, etc.)
• Perform system planning, scenario analysis, and calibration
• Support preparation of permitting documents, engineering memos, and comprehensive technical reports
• Design of water and wastewater systems using AutoCAD Civil 3D

Hydrology and Hydraulics:

• Develop hydrologic and hydraulic models for the design and evaluation of stormwater control structures
• Perform hydrologic calculations using software such as HEC‑HMS, HEC‑SSP, HEC‑DSSVue, and GIS tools
• Conduct hydraulic analyses and flood studies using HEC‑RAS (1D/2D), Flow2D, FlowMaster, HY‑8, CulvertMaster, etc.
• Perform sediment transport analyses and evaluate impacts on stormwater structures
• Prepare detailed technical reports documenting methods, field data, modeling, and engineering conclusions
• Design of channels using AutoCAD Civil 3D

Site Civil Drainage and Design:

• Design stormwater and site civil infrastructure—retention/detention basins, grading, channels, riprap protection, drainage structures
• Develop AutoCAD Civil 3D drawings including grading plans, drainage systems, and wet utilities
• Prepare construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates

Field Responsibilities – Technical Field Engineer

• Travel to project sites within and outside typical work hours as needed
• Staking of long distance remote/rural waterline and sewer alignments
• Ground and drone reconnaissance of potential pipeline routes
• Perform flush testing of water distribution systems for hydraulic modeling and calibration
• Perform site visits, field investigations, and surveys to assess drainage patterns, channel conditions, erosion, sediment transport, and infrastructure performance
• Conduct field-based hydrology and hydraulics data collection (e.g., flow measurements, sediment sampling, GPS data collection, field reconnaissance)
• Inspect and oversee construction activities related to stormwater, site civil, and water/wastewater infrastructure
• Document field conditions thoroughly, including photographs, field notes, measurements, and observations
• Perform field assessments of water distribution, wastewater, and stormwater systems for compliance with regulations and performance requirements
• Coordinate with contractors, clients, and team members onsite to ensure construction or field activities align with design intent
• Ensure safety compliance during fieldwork, including use of PPE and adherence to field safety protocols
• Travel to the Navajo Nation or other tribal locations, performing homesite inspections and designing septic systems and water connections

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering
• 2–5 years of experience in civil engineering or water resources engineering consulting
• Valid Driver License
• Ability and willingness to perform extensive field work (up to two consecutive weeks in the field at a time)
• Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D

Equivalent combinations of education and relevant experience may be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Experience and understanding of drainage and hydrology & hydraulics
• Experience and understanding of water distribution systems and water & wastewater
• Strong technical writing skills, especially for field reports and engineering analyses
• Proficiency with software listed in the duties above
• Experience in field inspections, construction observation, or environmental/engineering fieldwork

WHAT WE’LL EXPECT FROM YOU

• 40 hours per week, based in our Tucson, AZ office
• Roughly 50% fieldwork and 50% office work initially (may change over time)
• Self-motivated and resourceful in solving problems and learning new skills
• Ability to collaborate with a team and communicate clearly with clients and contractors
• Occasional travel and work outside normal hours for field tasks
• Values alignment: Passion, Excellence, Integrity, Education, Balance, Humility, Adaptability

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US

• Opportunities for professional growth and leadership based on your interests and strengths
• Impact on a growing firm where your voice and ideas matter
• Supportive colleagues and leadership committed to mentorship and meaningful work
• Your own office
• 10 paid holidays per year; 3 weeks PTO (more with tenure)
• Company-paid health, dental, and vision insurance options
• Company-paid life insurance
• Optional FSA/HSA, accident, illness, and disability coverage