Senior - Principal Engineer - Municipal Water Conveyance & Storage

Overview

Who we are: We are a water-focused engineering consulting firm, certified as a Great Place to Work® based on feedback from our community of over 260 team members. We rank among the top firms for diversity and were recognized as one of Fortune’s Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services (2023–2025). Since 1990, our mission has been to be the water firm of choice for both our clients and our team.

We provide high-quality services in groundwater, water supply, water and wastewater treatment, water and wastewater infrastructure, stormwater, recycled water, construction management, and operations technology from multiple locations in the west. Our long-term relationships are based on integrity, partnership, and high-value solutions. In 2026 and beyond, West Yost is advancing water resources for future generations and living our core values every day.

Compensation range: $112,000 - $189,530. Based on our Davis office location. West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions.

Status: Full-time, Exempt

LOCATION: Preference is one of our Northern California office locations. ().

This is a Hybrid role with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Standard benefits: 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.

Senior - Principal Engineer - Municipal Water Conveyance & Storage (Northern California)

West Yost is looking for a Senior - Principal level Engineer to join the team. You will have a desire to oversee and assist team members with an array of tasks including but not limited to water infrastructure planning and design. The Senior - Principal Engineer represents achievement beyond the associate and/or senior-level in technical expertise, design, project planning, project engineering, management, client relations and/or business development.

• Perform complex engineering tasks including engineering designs, preparing reports, construction drawings, specifications, and calculations for various projects.
• Review product designs and drawings for compliance with engineering principles, firm standards, customer contract requirements, and related specifications.
• Develop proposals and budgets for lower risk and smaller engineering efforts.
• Meet with clients to determine recommended project scope, estimate staffing requirements, and fee for review and prepare for signature.
• Develop and maintain client contact before, during, and after project completion.
• Cultivate client relationships through organizational involvement and by direct contract.
• Maintain three-month workload projections for all projects under personal management.
• Work closely with other engineers and managers to balance workload demands amongst current staff.
• Assist in mentoring and training Associate Engineers, Engineers and Engineering Interns.
• Prepare and conduct technical review of staff, reports, correspondence, calculations and prepare technical recommendations.
• Plan, organize and supervise work of professionals and technicians as needed.
• Prepare specifications and contract documents.
• Prepare opinions of probable cost and construction schedules/sequencing on current and new designs.
• Act as project manager or team member on larger design and construction projects.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering
• 10+ years of relevant experience
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Experience with CAD and GIS
• PE licensure

• Master’s degree in Civil/Environmental Engineering

* This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

Our…