Project Engineer – Water Treatment Plant
Location: San Jose, CA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Industry: Water/Wastewater Treatment, Environmental Engineering, Utilities
Position Overview
The Project Engineer will oversee engineering, construction, maintenance, and operational support for a major water treatment plant serving the San Jose region. This role is responsible for coordinating technical projects, optimizing plant performance, ensuring regulatory compliance, and supporting day-to-day operations in collaboration with operators, contractors, and internal engineering teams. The ideal candidate has strong experience in water/wastewater treatment systems, project management, and hands-on troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, and control systems.
Key Responsibilities
Project Management & Planning
- Lead and manage engineering projects across the water treatment plant, including upgrades, repairs, equipment installations, and system improvements.
- Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and documentation; track progress and report milestones to leadership.
- Coordinate with contractors, consultants, and vendors to ensure work meets design specifications and safety standards.
- Prepare engineering drawings, technical reports, cost estimates, and procurement documents.
Plant Operations Support
- Work directly with plant operators to monitor system performance, identify operational issues, and recommend solutions.
- Support troubleshooting of mechanical, electrical, and control systems (pumps, valves, PLCs, filtration units, chemical feed systems, etc.).
- Assist in optimizing treatment processes for efficiency, energy reduction, and improved water quality.
- Evaluate system data to identify trends, risks, and improvement opportunities.
Regulatory & Compliance
- Ensure plant operations and projects comply with EPA, State Water Resources Control Board (SWRCB), and Santa Clara Valley Water District requirements.
- Support documentation for permitting, inspections, audits, and environmental reporting.
- Implement safety protocols in accordance with Cal/OSHA and plant-specific guidelines.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Interface with engineering teams, consultants, municipal partners, and field staff to ensure smooth project execution.
- Provide technical guidance, training, and support to plant personnel as needed.
- Assist with community, municipal, and agency communications related to project activities.
Qualifications
Required
- Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Mechanical, Environmental, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
- 2–7+ years of experience in water or wastewater treatment, utilities, or industrial process engineering.
- Knowledge of treatment processes such as filtration, clarifiers, chemical feed systems, pumps, SCADA/PLC controls, and hydraulics.
- Strong project management skills, including scheduling, coordination, and contractor oversight.
- Ability to interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, specifications, and construction documents.
- Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
Preferred
- Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or Professional Engineer (PE) license in California.
- Experience with SCADA systems, control logic, and instrumentation.
- Familiarity with regional agencies such as San Jose Water, Valley Water, and local municipalities.
- Experience with CMMS systems (Cityworks, Maximo, etc.).
- Experience working in operational facilities with strict regulatory requirements.
Working Conditions
- Primarily onsite at the water treatment plant in San Jose.
- Fieldwork required, including inspections of equipment, tanks, piping, and active construction zones.
- Must be able to climb ladders, enter confined spaces (with training), and work around industrial machinery.
Why This Role Matters
This position is essential to maintaining reliable drinking water treatment for the San Jose region. The Project Engineer will play a key role in ensuring plant infrastructure remains safe, efficient, and compliant—directly supporting community health and environmental sustainability.
