Water Treatment Engineering Lead

Ardurra Group, Inc. in; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Ardurra Group, Inc. is seeking a Water Treatment Lead to direct engineering efforts for advanced drinking water projects, ideally in Irvine, CA, with flexibility for other California offices.

The role focuses on leading multi-disciplinary teams, developing innovative treatment designs, and driving client engagements across California. The candidate will oversee technical work, mentor staff, and manage project scope, schedule, and budget, while maintaining regulatory compliance and pursuing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering; Master’s preferred.
• PE license in California preferred; 8–12 years leading water treatment projects.
• Experience with drinking water treatment processes and multi-disciplinary design teams.
• Ability to manage client relationships and regulatory interfaces.

Responsibilities

• Serve as technical lead and project manager on water treatment infrastructure projects.
• Lead and mentor engineers, designers, and staff to deliver high-quality solutions on time and within budget.
• Develop process designs for advanced drinking water systems and oversee reports, costs, specs, and drawings.
• Coordinate with clients, regulators, and internal teams across project phases.
• Support business development through client engagement and proposals.
• Stay current on regulations and emerging treatment technologies.

Skills

Water treatment processes

Project leadership

Mentoring/team guidance

Regulatory knowledge

Client engagement

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Chemical Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Professional Civil Engineer (PE) license (California preferred)

Tools

RTW Software

Membrane Water Quality/Hydraulic Modeling Software

Excel-based process sizing tools

Job description

Water Treatment Engineering Lead (Architecture)

Ardurra is seeking a Water Treatment Lead to join our team ideally in Irvine, CA., but could be based out of any of our California offices.

We are a team-oriented and highly motivated group who strongly believe in and understands the importance of balancing work and personal life. Our recent awards, from Great Place to Work and Zweig Top Firms, are a testament to this value and the support we provide to our fellow team members. Our collaborative work environment and inclusive operating philosophy allow us to maintain a positive work culture while providing excellent service to our clients.

Primary Function:

To work closely with Operations Managers, Principals, and other staff to drive business within the California market. This role will involve collaborating with local water professionals to develop and implement an innovative business strategy, identifying and leading key regional pursuits, managing large multidisciplinary projects in advanced water treatment and building strategic relationships with clients and teaming partners.

Primary Duties:

• Serve as a technical lead and/or project manager on water treatment infrastructure projects
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers, designers, and support staff to deliver high-quality, on-time, and within-budget solutions.
• Develop process designs for advanced and conventional drinking water treatment systems, including pilot testing, bench-scale studies, and process optimization.
• Oversee and participate in the preparation of engineering reports, technical memoranda, cost estimates, specifications, and construction drawings.
• Coordinate and collaborate with clients, regulatory agencies, and internal teams throughout all project phases.
• Support business development activities, including client engagement, proposal writing, and presentations.
• Stay current on emerging technologies, regulations, and industry trends impacting drinking water treatment and distribution.
• Experience with California water regulations and permitting processes.
• Experience with physical-chemical modeling processes (RTW Software, Membrane Water Quality/Hydraulic Modeling Software, Excel-based process equipment sizing tools).
• Experience in executing- and managing- the development of detailed mechanical process plans, specifications, and cost estimates as the Engineer-of-Record for both small- and large projects.
• Business development or client management experience in California.

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering (Master's preferred).
• Professional Civil Engineer (PE) license (California PE preferred)
• Minimum 8 to 12 years of relevant experience in drinking water treatment and infrastructure design and delivery as a lead designer and/or project technical leader, and engineer-of-record.
• Proven record leading multi-disciplinary teams on water treatment and infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of drinking water treatment processes (e.g., conventional coagulation/ filtration processes, disinfection processes, chemical systems, groundwater treatment technologies, and membrane systems).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.

Compensation and Benefits:

Compensation is based on experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $ 140,000 – $200,000 . The firm offers a competitive salary and benefits, and most importantly, an opportunity for engagement and support from an engineering team that has led major regional and national water resource projects.

Why Ardurra?

While Ardurra offers competitive compensation and rich benefits programs, it is our culture that truly sets us apart from our peers.We nurture a family-like culture, striving to create a work environment that is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding but also fun. We are acutely focused on developing our staff, whether through our internal Ardurra Academy or through our industry-leading Leadership program. We have made a deliberate and focused commitment to nurture a people-centric culture where people are: valued as individuals; supported in their professional and career development with multiple, varied career paths; provided the tools and resources to be successful, engaged, and satisfied in their work; and positive benefits, time-off programs, and flexibility to help maintain a healthy balance between work and home.

Ardurra is an Equal Opportunity/ Affiantive Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

Ardurra does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed Agency Agreement, Ardurra will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee. If a resume or candidate is submitted to any hiring manager without a previously signed agreement, Ardurra reserves the right to pursue and hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. These candidates will be considered property of Ardurra. We're not currently looking to add any more agencies to our list of approved vendors, so please do not contact any of our managers or recruitment team with sales calls or details of your candidates.

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