Water Resources Engineer - Water Distribution and Wastewater Systems Modeling & Utility Master [...]
Trinnex Inc.
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Job summary
CDM Smith is seeking a Water Resources Engineer in the Chicago area to provide hydraulic modeling, utility master planning and infrastructure evaluations for water distribution and wastewater systems. You will lead projects, calibrate models, and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver resilient solutions for municipal clients.
The role requires a PE license, a bachelor’s in engineering, 10 years of related experience, and strong written and verbal communication.
Qualifications
- Advanced experience developing and calibrating hydraulic models for water and wastewater systems.
- Experience with multiple hydraulic modeling platforms and GIS-based data integration.
- Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and communicate technical concepts to clients.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering and PE license; willing to travel as needed.
Responsibilities
- Perform complex engineering calculations, hydraulic modeling, system analyses and planning studies.
- Develop, calibrate, and maintain hydraulic models to support utility planning and improvements.
- Conduct water distribution analyses including pressure, fire flow, storage and quality assessments.
- Perform wastewater analyses including capacity and inflow/infiltration evaluations.
- Lead utility master planning, including demand forecasting and asset prioritization.
- Integrate GIS, SCADA, billing and field data into modeling efforts.
- Produce technical reports, feasibility studies, and recommended solutions.
- Signs and seals engineering plans and reports as appropriate.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!
Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.
Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world‑class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.
CDM Smith is seeking a highly motivated Water Resources Engineer with expertise in hydraulic modeling, utility planning, and infrastructure evaluation for water distribution and wastewater collection systems. This position serves as a senior technical resource supporting municipal utility clients through master planning, hydraulic analysis, capital improvement planning, resiliency assessments, and infrastructure investment strategies.
The successful candidate will have extensive experience developing, calibrating, and applying hydraulic models to evaluate existing and future system performance, identify operational and capital improvements, and support long‑term utility planning initiatives. This individual will work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, provide technical leadership to junior staff, and engage directly with clients to solve complex water infrastructure challenges.
- With high-level goals provided, will perform complex engineering calculations, hydraulic modeling, system analyses, design evaluations, and planning studies for water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
- Develops, calibrates, maintains, and analyzes hydraulic models to support utility planning, operational evaluations, and infrastructure improvement programs.
- Performs water distribution system analyses including pressure evaluations, fire flow assessments, storage optimization, water quality evaluations, and system resiliency studies.
- Performs wastewater collection system analyses including capacity assessments, inflow and infiltration evaluations, wet weather modeling, and system improvement planning.
- Leads utility master planning efforts, including demand forecasting, growth projections, capital improvement planning, asset prioritization, and long‑range infrastructure planning.
- Evaluates and integrates GIS, SCADA, billing, field testing, and operational data into hydraulic modeling and planning efforts.
- Develops technical reports, planning documents, feasibility studies, alternatives analyses, and engineering recommendations.
- Signs and seals engineering plans, reports, and other professional work products as appropriate.
- Serves as a trusted technical advisor to municipal utility clients on system planning, operational performance, and infrastructure investment decisions.
- Meets with current and prospective clients to identify challenges, evaluate needs, and develop innovative technical solutions.
- Collaborates with sales and project teams to develop scopes of work, budgets, technical approaches, and proposals in response to client requests and procurement opportunities.
- Participates in presentations, workshops, client meetings, and industry events to support business development efforts and strengthen client relationships.
- Provides technical leadership, mentoring, and training to engineers, planners, and hydraulic modelers.
- Reviews and provides quality assurance oversight of technical work prepared by junior staff.
- Establishes and maintains hydraulic modeling standards, best practices, documentation requirements, and quality control procedures.
- Supports staff development through coaching, technical review, and knowledge sharing.
- Contributes to CDM Smith's Technical Knowledge Management (TKM) initiatives through the development of white papers, technical guidance documents, modeling standards, and innovative engineering solutions.
- Authors and presents technical papers, conference presentations, and industry publications.
- Attends and participates in conferences, workshops, professional societies, and industry events to advance technical expertise and
Join a team that helps communities solve some of their most complex water infrastructure challenges. As a senior technical leader, you will contribute to transformational projects involving utility master planning, hydraulic modeling, infrastructure resiliency, and sustainable water resource management while collaborating with industry‑leading experts across North America.
- Advanced experience developing and calibrating hydraulic models for water distribution systems and wastewater collection systems.
- Expertise using multiple hydraulic modeling platforms, including:
- InfoWater Pro
- InfoSewer
- InfoSurge
- WaterCAD
- WaterGEMS
- HAMMER
- Advanced proficiency with ArcGIS and GIS‑based data management.
- Strong understanding of hydraulic principles, utility operations, and infrastructure planning.
- Experience utilizing field testing, customer demand data, SCADA systems, and other operational datasets to support modeling efforts.
- Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary technical teams.
Bachelor's degree in Environmental, Civil, Coastal or Chemical Engineering or related discipline. Professional engineering (PE) license. 10 years of related experience. Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands. Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
- Experience leading water and wastewater utility master planning projects.
- Experience supporting utilities serving populations greater than 100,000.
- Experience with capital improvement planning and asset management programs.
- Experience conducting model calibration using fire flow testing, pressure monitoring, and system operational data.
- Experience supporting utility resiliency, redundancy, and climate adaptation planning initiatives.
- Experience with data analytics, scripting, or automation tools such as Python, SQL, or similar technologies.
- Established participation in professional organizations including AWWA, WEF, ASCE, or related industry groups.
10% or less
An appropriate and valid driver's license is required.
We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
USD $110,240.00
USD $192,899.00
CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.
All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
No - We are not open to sponsoring for this position
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