Water Resources Project Engineer

Souder, Miller & Associates; Santa Fe (NM); On-site; USD 82,000 - 104,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health Insurance

ESOP

401K Plan

Paid Time Off

Tuition Reimbursement

Dental Coverage

Vision Coverage

Job summary

Souder, Miller & Associates in Santa Fe, NM is seeking a Project Engineer I/III for our Water Resources team. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering or science, 4–8 years of post‑graduate experience, and NM PE licensure or eligibility within 6 months; a valid driver’s license is required.

You will plan, design, and supervise projects related to water distribution, wells, lift stations, and treatment systems, manage budgets and schedules, and coordinate with clients and regulators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or science.
• 4–8 years of experience post‑graduation.
• Professional licensure: PE preferred or ability to be licensed in New Mexico within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Manage budgets and profitability for assigned projects.
• Monitor work-in-process, client billings, AR, and collections.
• Develop and manage project and team schedules; forecast workload.
• Prepare/modify reports, designs, plans, and construction schedules.
• Oversee client relationships and provide contract review oversight.

Skills

Project management

Budgeting

Scheduling

Client liaison

Communication

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or science

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

MS Project

Excel

GIS

Job description

Growing, Succeeding and Designing Our Future Together

We are looking for future team members who are excited to make an impact. As an employee-owned company, we are dedicated to the betterment of our clients, our communities, and our employees. Your contribution is key to the quality of service SMA delivers. Throughout your career with SMA, you will have opportunities to develop the skills you need to achieve your professional goals. We encourage you to explore innovative ways to develop solutions and collaborate with team members inside and outside the organization, providing a framework to help you succeed.

We don't just talk about being client-focused; the engineers, scientists, surveyors, technicians, and other professionals at SMA live and breathe it. After all, we are members of the communities we help.

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 in New Mexico, renowned for our commitment to infrastructure, water safety, environmental remediation, and more.

SUMMARY:

Souder, Miller & Associates is recruiting for a Project Engineer I/III for our Water Resources department. The position is located in our Santa Fe, NM office. This position requires a bachelor's and/or master’s degree from an accredited four-year college or university and a minimum of 4 years of experience in Water Resources. The preferred candidate will be a member of a professional organization and have a New Mexico P.E. registration or ability to be licensed in New Mexico within 6 months of hire.

Project Engineer I/III manages projects by performing the duties related to completing and delivering a project. Projects will include planning, design, construction administration, and observation of water distribution systems, wells, pump stations, wastewater collection systems, lift stations, and simple treatment systems. The Project Engineer I/III is responsible for planning, designing, and directing projects locally and/or remotely on a corporate and/or local level. The Project Engineer I/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; has 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. To prepare and monitor a forecast of workload for any assigned staff.
• Prepare or direct preparation and modification of reports, specifications, plans, construction schedules, studies and/or designs for projects.
• 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.
• May 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; is the primary client contact for assigned clients.
• Develop and review pricing, estimating, scoping, and marketing strategies for assigned projects.
• In coordination with the direct supervisor and possibly TS Director/Manager, develop and provide peer review of contract agreements for assigned projects to execute agreements with value-limited signatory authority.
• Attend client meetings, day or night; ability to complete overnight travel unassisted, occasionally extending five or more consecutive nights.
• Visit project site(s) to monitor progress and other duties per the contract documents as the registered professional of record.
• Under the direction of the direct supervisor and in coordination with the MS Director/Manager, manage specific marketing responsibilities with clients to obtain work for the firm.
• Develop peer-to-peer communication skills locally and intra-office.
• Develop technical skills relevant to area(s) of practice. Recognize and operate within limitations while seeking advice as needed.
• Advance awareness of potential liabilities associated with the technical aspects of the area of expertise.
• May be designated as responsible for development and enforcement of onsite health and safety plan administration (relative to SMA employees).
• Assist in implementation of operations, repair, and upgrade projects at WTP and WWTP sites, including project scoping and cost estimating, procurement of equipment, and contracting equipment installation.
• Review local, state, and federal permit requirements for operations facilities; prepare compliance monitoring schedules for clients and staff; prepare permit renewal applications.
• Utilize Asset Management principles for developing equipment maintenance and replacement schedules and budgets for clients and staff.

Travel up to 25%

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate engineering or science.
• Minimum 4-8 years of experience required post-graduation.
• Professional/Occupational (PE) licensure required and/or ability to be licensed in New Mexico within 6 months of hire.
• Must have a valid driver's license and be 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.

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS:

At SMA, we reward talent with competitive salaries and benefits that reflect your experience and contributions:

• Salary Range: $82,000 to $104,000 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 the state, 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.