Water Resources Project Engineer

Souder, Miller & Associates; Las Cruces (NM); On-site; USD 79,000 - 99,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, Dental, Vision insurance

401K Retirement Plan

Employee Stock Options

Generous PTO

Job summary

Souder, Miller & Associates in Las Cruces, NM is seeking a qualified Project Engineer I/II/III for their Water/Wastewater Engineering department. The ideal candidate holds a Bachelor's degree in engineering, has a minimum of 4 years of relevant experience, and possesses a PE license in Texas or New Mexico. Responsibilities include project management, budget monitoring, and client relations. The position offers a competitive salary range of $79,000 to $99,000 per year along with comprehensive benefits and opportunities for professional growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 4 years of experience in water and/or wastewater engineering.
• Professional Engineering (PE) Licensure in Texas or New Mexico required.
• Ability to read and analyze technical documents.

Responsibilities

• Prepare and monitor budgets for assigned projects.
• Manage work-in-process and client billings.
• Develop and review project reports and designs.

Skills

Project management

Budget monitoring

Client relationship management

Engineering design

Technical analysis

Effective communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Tools

Engineering design software

Job description

Join Our Legacy of Excellence: Lead, Innovate, and Shape the Future with Us

We are experiencing tremendous growth and are seeking passionate team members who are ready to make an impact! As an employee-owned company, we prioritize enhancing the lives of our clients, communities, and employees. Your role here directly contributes to the quality of service we deliver. You'll have opportunities to grow your skills and work with others in a collaborative environment. Most of our work involves helping smaller, rural communities, including many tribal clients, overcome a myriad of challenges to deliver safe drinking water. The projects are rewarding, unique, and challenging.

As a senior-level team member at SMA, you will have the opportunity to not only contribute to high-profile projects but also to shape the direction of our organization. Here, your experience will be valued, your leadership will be elevated, and your expertise will inspire future generations of engineers and professionals.

Why Join Us?

• Ownership & Impact: Experience the unique advantage of employee ownership, where your contributions directly shape our company's future.
• Community Focus: We’re deeply committed to the communities we serve. Our engineers, scientists, surveyors, and professionals are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that make a real difference.
• Growth & Development: We invest in your professional growth, providing opportunities to expand your skills and collaborate with a dynamic team.
• Proven Excellence: With a legacy dating back to 1985, SMA is a leading engineering firm, renowned for our commitment to infrastructure, water safety, environmental remediation, and more.

SUMMARY:

Souder, Miller & Associates is recruiting for a Project Engineer I/II/III for our Water/WateWater Engineering department colocated in our Las Cruces, NM and El Paso, TX offices. This position requires a bachelors and/or master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and a minimum of 4 years of experience in water and/or wastewater engineering. The preferred candidate will be a member of a professional organization and have a New Mexico and/or Texas P.E. registration.

The Project Engineer I/II/III is responsible for planning, designing and directing projects locally and/or remotely. The Project Engineer I/II/III position requires the ability to read, analyze and interpret professional journals, technical procedures, design plans and regulations as well as the ability to write reports, business correspondence and procedure manuals. These abilities must also translate into the effective presentation of information and response to questions from groups of managers, clients, customers and the public. The Project Engineer I/II/III position typically has a balanced exposure internally (employees) and externally (clients/regulators) but also can be focused on an area of specific technical discipline.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Prepare and monitor budgets for assigned projects with direct responsibility for the profitability of assigned projects.
• Responsible for monitoring and managing work-in-process, accurate and timely client billings, outstanding accounts receivable and collection efforts on assigned projects.
• Responsible for project and team schedules, and timely completion of assigned projects. o Prepare and monitor forecast of workload for any assigned staff.
• Prepare or direct preparation and modification of reports, specifications, plans, construction schedules, studies and/or designs for project.
• Develop, analyze and provide peer review on reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, tests and/or aerial photographs for quality assurance and to plan and/or design projects.
• Use computer assisted engineering, technical and/or design software and equipment to prepare simple to complex engineering, analysis and design documents.
• Supervise and monitor client relationship strategies; act as the primary client contact for assigned clients.
• Develop and review pricing, estimating, and scoping strategies for assigned projects.
• In coordination with the direct supervisor, develop and provide peer review of contract agreements for assigned projects.
• Attend client meetings, day or night; ability to complete overnight travel unassisted.
• Visit project site(s) to monitor progress and other duties per the contract documents as the registered professional of record.
• Develop peer-to-peer communication skills locally and intra-office.
• Develop technical skill relevant to area(s) of practice.
• Recognize and operate within limitations while seeking advice as needed.
• Utilize Asset Management principles for developing equipment maintenance and replacement schedules and budgets for clients and staff.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in appropriate engineering or science.
• Minimum 4 years of experience required post-graduation.
• Professional Engineering (PE) Licensure- must have current, active licensure in Texas or New Mexico, or current, active licensure in a US jurisdiction and the ability to obtain licensure in Texas and New Mexico with 6 months. No disciplinary action taken on any professional license for technical or ethical issues
• Must have a valid driver's license and able to pass the drug test.

Please note: We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Benefits:

• Salary Range: $79,000 to $99,000 per year.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package: Health, Dental, Vision, 401K Retirement Plan, Employee Stock Options (ESOP), Life/ADD Insurance, Short & Long-Term Disability, Voluntary Insurance, Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care, and more.
• Paid Time Off & Wellness Programs: Generous PTO, flexible work schedules, wellness initiatives, and more.
• Professional Growth: Tuition/Student Loan reimbursement program, professional dues, and opportunities for advancement within the company.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able and willing to frequently lift and/or move 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Why SMA?

Since 1985, Souder, Miller & Associates has been a leader in providing engineering, survey, and environmental solutions across New Mexico. As the third-largest engineering firm in New Mexico, we pride ourselves on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to complex challenges, from designing public infrastructure to environmental remediation. Our employee-driven culture fosters a sense of ownership and community where everyone’s contribution is recognized and valued.

At SMA, you’re not just a team member – you’re an integral part of our journey to success, a mentor to the next generation of engineers, and a leader who shapes the future of the communities we serve.

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact, drive innovation, and grow with an employee-owned firm, we want to hear from you. Apply now to be part of our legacy.