Principal Engineer – Water, Wastewater, Recycled Water

Dudek

. Lead and grow Dudek's Treatment Team, establishing strategy, priorities, technical capabilities, and long-term growth objectives .

Posted 9/21/2026full-timeCalifornia • United StatesLead💰 $195,000 - $220,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in leading multidisciplinary engineering teams and managing complex water treatment projects, with a strong focus on client relationship development and business growth. Proficient in California regulatory frameworks and advanced treatment technologies, ensuring compliance and successful project delivery.

Highest-signal resume keywords

California Professional Engineer (PE) License15+ Years of Water Treatment ExperienceLeadership in Client Relationship DevelopmentExpertise in Treatment TechnologiesExperience with Municipal Capital Improvement Projects

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Water Treatment DesignFiltrationGACIon ExchangeBiological TreatmentDisinfectionRO/NFBrine ManagementRecycled Water ComplianceProject Management

Soft Skills

LeadershipCommunicationClient ServiceMentoringTeam Development

Tools & Technologies

P&IDsDesign DrawingsSpecificationsCost EstimatesPermitting Packages

Certifications & Qualifications

B.S. in Civil EngineeringB.S. in Environmental EngineeringB.S. in Mechanical EngineeringB.S. in Chemical EngineeringValid Driver's License

Industry Keywords

WaterWastewaterRecycled WaterMunicipal AgenciesCalifornia Regulatory FrameworksCapital Improvement ProjectsAdvanced Treatment FacilitiesConstruction ManagementDesign-BuildProgressive Design-Build

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Lead and grow Dudek's Treatment Team, establishing strategy, priorities, technical capabilities, and long-term growth objectives
Serve as a principal-level advisor for treatment services across the Engineering practice
Collaborate with Infrastructure, Electrical, Planning, and Environmental leaders to expand integrated service offerings
Mentor and develop engineers and help attract, recruit, and retain talent
Drive business development through client relationship development, pursuit strategy, proposal leadership, and interview participation
Identify and cultivate opportunities with municipal agencies, special districts, and regional regulatory agencies
Represent Dudek through conferences, technical presentations, and professional organizations
Lead planning, design, and implementation of water, wastewater, recycled water, and advanced treatment facilities
Direct preparation of basis-of-design reports, P&IDs, design drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and permitting packages
Provide executive oversight of scope, schedule, budget, risk management, QA/QC, and change control
Manage multidisciplinary civil, mechanical, electrical, process, and controls engineering teams
Coordinate with in-house hydrogeology and environmental professionals
Direct and manage subconsultants supporting project delivery
Attend occasional project site visits involving outdoor conditions, excessive noise, uneven surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles or equipment

Requirements

What you’ll need

B.S. in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering
California Professional Engineer (PE) license
15+ years of relevant water, wastewater, recycled water, or treatment experience
Demonstrated success leading client relationships and business development activities
Experience leading teams and mentoring staff
Proven success managing municipal capital improvement projects in the $2M to $5M range and above
Strong command of treatment technologies including filtration, GAC, ion exchange, biological treatment, disinfection, RO/NF, brine management, and recycled water compliance
Working proficiency with California regulatory frameworks (SWRCB, DWR, DDW, RWQCB)
Strong communication, leadership, and client service skills with an owner mindset
Valid driver's license and active personal automobile liability insurance by the first day of employment
Successful completion of pre-employment drug test and background check
Travel within California for client meetings, project sites, and industry engagement
Preferred: 18+ years of relevant experience
Preferred: M.S. in Civil or Environmental Engineering
Preferred: Advanced treatment design and implementation experience, including MBR and potable reuse
Preferred: Experience with major California funding programs (SRF, Prop 1, WIFIA, and similar)
Preferred: Construction management, commissioning, or startup experience
Preferred: Experience with alternative delivery, including design-build and progressive design-build
U.S. work authorization required

Benefits

Comp & perks

100% employee-owned firm
Hybrid work environment
Remote arrangements can be accommodated for the right candidate
Opportunity to shape projects improving and protecting built and natural environments
Opportunity to work on projects addressing renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience
Employee-owner autonomy and direct stake in the work built
Professional conferences, technical presentations, and professional organization participation
Mentoring and development opportunities
Equal employment opportunities and inclusive workplace commitment