Southern California Water Treatment and Reuse Leader
About the role
The Southern California Water Treatment and Reuse Leader is a key role within HDR’s growing Southern California Water Business Group. This position will help to develop and implement strategies for increasing HDR’s share of the water treatment market in Southern California and supporting the reuse market growth across California and the U.S.
Responsibilities
Lead strategy and delivery for drinking water and potable reuse (IPR/DPR) pursuits and projects across SoCal; grow client accounts and win work.
Guide advanced treatment process selection and design (UF/MF, RO/NF, UV/AOP, GAC/IX), pilots, and commissioning; troubleshoot operations and optimize performance.
Build, mentor, and scale multidisciplinary teams; partner with technical directors on QA/QC and design excellence.
Shape market presence through speaking, publishing, and committee leadership (AWWA, WateReuse, CWEA/WEF).
Coordinate programmatic delivery (design-build/CMAR/progressive design-build), asset management, and digital enablement (SCADA, data analytics, digital twins).
Support clients with funding strategy (WIFIA/SRF/grants), regulatory readiness (e.g., LCRR, PFAS compliance), and capital planning.
Requirements
10 years experience in water treatment design
PE
Proven industry leadership
Team leadership experience
CA experience is preferred but the right candidate can relocate for the role
Traditional and advanced water treatment expertise (UF/MF, RO/NF, UV/AOP, GAC/IX), pilots/commissioning, and process optimization
Seller-doer capability: client development, proposal leadership, and strategic positioning
Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience
Experienced in development and management of diverse teams
Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on business class efforts
Skills
Client development
Proposal leadership
Strategic positioning
Advanced water treatment expertise (UF/MF, RO/NF, UV/AOP, GAC/IX)
Programmatic delivery (design-build/CMAR/progressive design-build)
Funding strategy (WIFIA/SRF/grants)
Regulatory readiness (LCRR, PFAS compliance)
Capital planning
Benefits
Comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success
Medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays
Retirement savings plan with employer match
Employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement
Pay
$163,000 - $243,000
Schedule
Full-time
Business Class
Water Treatment
Job Posting
May 19, 2026
Company Information
We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.