Project Engineer III

About the role

This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced engineering professional who is passionate about developing and implementing innovative solutions that improve water quality, system reliability, and operational efficiency for communities across Texas. In this role, you will lead and support critical infrastructure and capital improvement projects focused on wastewater, groundwater resources, production efficiency, treatment technologies, and water distribution systems.

As part of a multi-year capital investment program exceeding $1 billion, you will collaborate with operations, engineering consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and leadership teams to plan, design, and deliver projects that ensure regulatory compliance, operational excellence, and long-term sustainability.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage capital improvement projects from planning through commissioning, including engineering design oversight, permitting, budgeting, scheduling, procurement, construction administration, and project closeout.
• Lead and support water infrastructure projects involving groundwater development, production efficiency improvements, new well construction, water treatment facilities, SCADA systems, and transmission and distribution network improvements.
• Manage projects related to emerging contaminant treatment technologies, including PFAS and radiological contaminant (RADs) treatment and mitigation.
• Oversee wastewater rehabilitation and greenfield development projects utilizing conventional treatment systems, Membrane Bioreactors (MBRs), Moving Bed Biofilm Reactors (MBBRs), and Sequencing Batch Reactors (SBRs).
• Develop and implement sludge handling, dewatering, beneficial reuse, and residuals management solutions to improve operational efficiency and environmental sustainability.
• Assist in the development and execution of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP), including project prioritization, budgeting, forecasting, and long-range infrastructure planning.
• Prepare technical reports, presentations, and testimony for regulatory agencies, review boards, and other stakeholders.
• Develop contract bid documents, engineering plans, and technical specifications for capital projects, and manage the competitive bidding process.
• Prepare and oversee permit applications and ensure all required regulatory approvals are obtained.
• Provide engineering leadership and collaborate with consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, operations personnel, and utility leadership to successfully deliver project objectives.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in civil/environmental engineering or related engineering field required.
• Professional Engineer’s License (PE) in the State of Texas or ability to achieve within 6 months of hire.
• 6+ years of professional experience in Water and/or Wastewater and budget management of projects over $1M (Wastewater preferred).
• Project Management Experience Preferred, PMI Certification a Plus.
• Experience conducting field testing, data collection programs, and master planning for water distribution systems and sewer collection systems.
• Current Driver’s License and ability to drive to project sites within the assigned region, for on-site meetings and inspections, as required.

Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office suite: Word, PowerPoint, Excel.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; communicate effectively (clearly, concisely, and professionally) with internal and external stakeholders.
• Knowledge/familiarity in permitting processes with local groundwater conservations districts, cities, counties, flood districts, TCEQ, PUC etc.
• Knowledge in public water supply and wastewater safety/design standards that include AWWA, TCEQ, OSHA, NEC, etc.
• A team player able to work effectively in a team-fashioned multi-tasking environment.
• Ability to work well under pressure and with tight deadlines.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and adapt to changing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Familiarity with modeling software platforms (WaterGems, WaterCAD, EPAnet, InfoWorks / Infowater etc.) preferred but not required.

Working Conditions

• Perform sedentary work: exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally, and/or a negligible amount of force often or constantly to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects, including the human body. Sedentary work involves sitting the majority of time.
• See, hear, talk, and perform tasks requiring manual dexterity.
• Operate standard office equipment.
• Working conditions will include travel to work sites of Aqua Texas, Essential Utilities, and/or other constituents, as needed.
• Travel Requirements: up to 20%, mostly local to the regional office.

The physical demands 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.