Sr. Project Manager/Principal Engineer – Water, Wastewater & Recycled Water

Location(s): Southern California/Northern California
Work Environment: Hybrid
Compensation: $195,000-$220,000 annually*

Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies.

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards.

Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience.

Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape.

Who You Are

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently.

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.

How You’ll Make an Impact

Dudek is seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager/Principal Engineer to lead and grow our Treatment Team. In this practice-building role, you will set strategy, expand the team’s technical capabilities, and drive the long-term growth of treatment services across California while remaining actively engaged in the technical work that builds client trust. You will also collaborate with leaders across the Engineering Practice Group and the firm to deliver multidisciplinary projects throughout California. You will lead complex treatment and infrastructure projects that strengthen community resilience and address regional water and wastewater needs. You will cultivate relationships with municipal agencies and special districts, mentor the engineers who will advance the practice, and help expand Dudek’s reputation as a recognized engineering leader in California. As an employee-owner, you will have the autonomy to build the practice and a direct stake in its success.

Duties and Responsibilities

Practice Leadership

• Serve as a senior-level technical and strategic advisor for treatment services across the Engineering Practice Group.
• Collaborate with leaders across Infrastructure, Electrical, Planning, and Environmental teams to expand integrated, multidisciplinary service offerings.
• Mentor and develop engineers, and help attract, recruit, and retain talent as the team grows.
• Lead and grow Dudek’s Treatment Team by establishing strategy, priorities, technical capabilities, and long-term growth objectives in collaboration with practice leadership.

Client and Market Growth

• Lead business development activities, including client relationship development,
  pursuit strategy, proposal development, and interview participation.
• Identify and cultivate opportunities with municipal agencies, special districts, and
  regional regulatory agencies.
• Represent Dudek as a visible industry leader through conferences, technical
  presentations, and professional organizations.

Project Delivery

• Lead the planning, design, and implementation of water, wastewater, recycled
  water, and advanced treatment facilities within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Manage the preparation and quality of technical deliverables, including basis-of
  design reports, P&IDs, design drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and
  permitting packages.
• Provide oversight of project scope, schedule, budget, risk management, QA/QC,
  and change control to support predictable, high-quality project delivery.
• Manage multidisciplinary teams across civil, mechanical, electrical, process, and
  controls engineering, coordinating with Dudek's in-house hydrogeology and
  environmental professionals.
• Direct and manage subconsultants supporting project delivery.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. in Civil, Environmental, Mechanical, or Chemical Engineering required; M.S.
  preferred.
• California Professional Engineer (PE) license
• 15+ years of relevant water, wastewater, recycled water, or treatment
  experience.
• Success managing municipal capital improvement projects, including projects in the $2 million to $5 million range.
• Strong understanding of current treatment technologies, including filtration, GAC,
  ion exchange, biological treatment, disinfection, RO/NF, MBR, brine
  management, and recycled water compliance.
• Working proficiency with California regulatory frameworks and agencies,
  including SWRCB, DWR, DDW, and RWQCB requirements.
• Experience supporting projects funded through major California and federal
  programs, including SRF, Proposition 1, WIFIA, and similar programs.
• Strong communication, leadership, and client skills with an owner mindset.
• Valid driver's license and active personal automobile liability insurance by the first
  day of employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• 18+ years of relevant experience.
• M.S. in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
• Advanced treatment design and implementation experience, including MBR and potable reuse.
• Experience with major California funding programs (SRF, Prop 1, WIFIA, and similar).
• Construction management, commissioning, or startup experience.
• Experience with alternative delivery, including design-build and progressive design-build.

Travel and Work Arrangement

Travel within California is expected in support of client meetings, project sites, and industry engagement. Office presence is preferred; remote arrangements can be accommodated for the right candidate, with the expectation of regular in-office leadership presence to support team development and mentorship.

Compensation: $195,000-$220,000 annually*

*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment.

Working Conditions
Environment

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc.

• This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following:

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting.

• Attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with peers, clients, etc.
• Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

Connect with us!

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🤝Dudek Talent Community

Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination.

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action.

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.