Wastewater Treatment Design Engineer

About the Role

GFT is seeking a Wastewater Treatment Design Engineer to join our Water team. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring attendance at one of our many offices. Joining the water resources team at GFT means contributing to innovative solutions for sustainable water management and infrastructure. Our team excels in dams and levees, advanced water and wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and conveyance, collection, and transmission. With a focus on integrating technology, sustainability, and compliance, we consider each water resources and environmental remediation project a chance to innovate and evolve to protect public health and enhance quality of life.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support design, optimize, and manage systems that treat and transport wastewater to ensure safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance.
• System Design: Design wastewater treatment plants, pumping stations, and collection networks, including detailed CAD drawings and equipment selection. Design new treatment systems or upgrade existing ones, including biological nutrient removal, sludge handling, and filtration processes.
• Process Optimization: Analyze and enhance treatment techniques (e.g., pH adjustment, chemical dosing, aeration) to improve efficiency and reduce costs.
• System Hydraulics: Perform hydraulic analysis of existing and new wastewater treatment plants, pump stations, and piping systems, making pump selections, and evaluating performance of existing pumps.
• Testing and Monitoring: Analyze lab data, operator reports, and chemical usage to resolve operational issues and improve efficiency.
• Compliance and Safety: Ensure that treated wastewater meets municipal or industrial regulatory standards, protecting public health and the environment.
• Project Management: Conduct feasibility studies, upgrade existing infrastructure, and manage projects from design to completion. Develop cost projections, feasibility studies, and supervise construction or commissioning of new technology.
• Data Analysis: Monitor operator reports and lab results to refine treatment techniques.
• Technical: Function as a technical specialist in conventional and advanced wastewater treatment, using processes such as physical/chemical primary treatment, conventional activated sludge, biological nutrient removal, fixed-film processes, membrane bio-reactors (MBR), side stream treatment, tertiary filtration, auxiliary wet-weather treatment, and disinfection.

Requirements

• BS in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering (MS is preferred).
• Professional Engineer License (PE) required or the ability to obtain in 6-12 months.
• 8+ years of experience in the wastewater discipline, particularly as a wastewater engineer designing (study, plans, and specifications) water and/or wastewater infrastructure (e.g., treatment and collection/distribution projects).
• Expert knowledge in standard engineering techniques and procedures.
• EPC project experience preferred; design and construction of wastewater treatment facilities, including three or more years leading process design of wastewater projects with full responsibility for budget, schedule, contractual obligations, client service, and quality standards.
• Demonstrated experience and knowledge in preliminary treatment, primary treatment, biological treatment (including BNR), disinfection, hydraulics, and solids processing and handling preferred.

Pay

The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $200,000, dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Schedule

Core business hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM. Full-time employment status.

Locations

Fairfax, Newport News, Richmond, Virginia Beach, VA; Raleigh, NC; Baltimore or Owings Mills, MD.