Senior - Principal Engineer - Water Systems & Water Supply Planning

We are a water-focused engineering consulting firm, certified as a Great Place to Work based on feedback from our community of over 250 team members. We ranked top three in the AEC Advisors 2021 and 2022 Diversity Index Top Firms and were recognized as one of Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services in 2023 & 2024. Since 1990, our mission has been to be the water firm of choice for both our clients and our team.

Over the years we have built upon that mission and now integrate a host of high-quality services in groundwater, water supply, water and wastewater treatment, water and wastewater infrastructure, stormwater, recycled water, construction management, and operations technology from our multiple locations in the west. As a team, we work with our clients to understand their true needs. Our long-term relationships are based on integrity, partnership, and high-value solutions.

In 2025 and beyond, West Yost is advancing water resources for future generations and living our core values every day.

Compensation range: $119,040 to $192,420. Based on our Irvine, CA office location. (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions).

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

DESCRIPTION

The Senior - Principal Engineer role will contribute to the development of the firm’s Water Business Sector (which encompasses water system, water resource, stormwater, recycled water, and collection system planning). Previous experience with Water System Planning/Hydraulic Modeling is required. Candidates with a desire to develop their career toward technical leadership, client service management, and/or regional/sector management are ideal.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES & FUNCTIONS

• Serving as a technical leader in water distribution system hydraulic evaluations utilizing a variety of commercial hydraulic modeling software programs (e.g., Info Water Pro, Open Flows Water
  
  GEMS, Aquanuity, etc.).
• Working as part of teams on projects throughout California and Oregon with an emphasis on Southern California-based projects and clients.
• Analyzing water use, population, water quality, and facilities condition data
• Evaluating water supply availability.
• Developing water supply and water system capital improvement programs.
• Preparing technical reports and master plans.
• Serving as a project manager directing the hydraulic modeling and master planning work of senior level, as well as other staff engineers.
• Providing QA/QC review on the work of others in the water planning team
• Interacting directly with clients and providing excellent client service.
• Assisting with marketing activities and proposal development when needed.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience with Water System Planning and Hydraulic Modeling.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Experience with CAD, GIS, and hydraulic modeling software (e.g., Info Water Pro).
• PE licensure in the State of California. PE licensure in other states in which the firm is actively practicing may also be considered.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering.
• Proven ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Ability to process accurate engineering calculations unaided and prepare reports.
• Proven ability to summarize technical information using appropriate grammar, punctuation and spelling for concise reader-friendliness and clarity.
• Experience with direct client interaction and proposal…