Senior Water Systems Planning Engineer

California Water Service

. Exercise full technical and functional supervision of assigned projects .

Posted 11/6/2026full-timeSan Jose • California • United StatesSenior💰 $115,058 - $176,959 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in water utility engineering, including hydraulic modeling, project management, and capital planning. Proficient in assessing complex water systems and developing actionable improvements while effectively communicating with diverse stakeholders.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Water Utility EngineeringHydraulic ModelingProject Management SoftwareCalifornia Professional Engineer RegistrationCapital Planning

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Engineering CalculationsHydraulic AnalysesInfrastructure PlanningEngineering DesignData AnalysisCost EstimatingProject ScopingTechnical DocumentationRegulatory ComplianceAsset Management

Soft Skills

Excellent Communication SkillsCollaborationProblem SolvingPublic SpeakingLeadership

Tools & Technologies

Microsoft OfficeGISInfoWaterCapital Planning SystemsAsset Management Systems

Certifications & Qualifications

California Engineer in Training CertificationCalifornia Professional Engineer Registration

Industry Keywords

Water System PlanningPublic Utilities CommissionDrinking Water RegulationsInfrastructure Improvement ProgramsContinuous Improvement

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Exercise full technical and functional supervision of assigned projects
Serve as a resource for technical expertise and provide direction to junior-level engineers
Lead engineering projects and technically review the work of others
Present to districts, outside agencies, state or local government agencies, special districts, and local communities
Represent the company in meetings with outside agencies to negotiate and address complex issues
Assess, analyze, and solve problems related to job functions
Organize, attend, and lead meetings with Cal Water staff and public agencies
Research existing infrastructure using databases, maps, drawings, photos, and paper files
Locate or develop needed data independently
Perform engineering calculations to solve advanced problems
Create solicitation documents and review contractor or consultant bids; select the most appropriate bidder
Update maps, drawings, and databases for new projects and corrections
Prepare data tables, graphs, cost estimates, justifications, and reports for project evaluation
Support capital budget and Public Utilities Commission rate case filings, including cost estimating, data requests, tours, rebuttal, and settlement support
Direct the work of technicians and interns
Participate in Continuous Improvement activities
Conduct project safety planning and develop safety documentation
Make project decisions based on lowest life-cycle cost calculations
Routinely direct and train other engineers and occasionally review their work
Manage project resources
Review and revise policies, procedures, specifications, and standard drawings to reflect current technology and company changes
Operate a company vehicle for travel to field locations
Perform work on site in the assigned office location
Perform other duties as assigned

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field and/or equivalent relevant experience
Master’s degree preferred
Minimum of six (6) years of progressively responsible engineering experience in water utility engineering, hydraulic modeling, system planning, operations engineering, infrastructure planning, engineering design, or related fields
California Engineer in Training certification preferred
California Professional Engineer registration preferred
Demonstrated ability to independently assess complex water systems and translate identified needs into actionable capital improvements
Knowledge of water system planning, design, operations, and infrastructure improvement programs
Experience performing hydraulic analyses or developing, reviewing, or interpreting hydraulic models for water systems
Experience with hydraulic modeling software such as InfoWater or similar platforms preferred
Knowledge of capital planning, project development, prioritization, budgeting, and asset management principles
Knowledge of utility regulatory requirements, including drinking water regulations and Public Utilities Commission rate case processes preferred
Ability to assess infrastructure needs, develop planning-level solutions, and prepare project scopes and justifications
Ability to analyze technical, operational, regulatory, and financial information to support capital investment decisions
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of reports, project justifications, presentations, procedures, and technical documentation
Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders and maintain effective working relationships
Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and deadlines in a collaborative environment
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint
Experience with GIS, asset management systems, capital planning systems, project management software, or related engineering applications preferred
Public speaking and presentation skills
Valid California Driver License

Benefits

Comp & perks

Meaningful career with a purpose-driven organization
Company vehicle provided for travel to field locations
Equal employment opportunity protections
Work with a Top Workplace® and Great Place to Work® recognized employer