Lead Test Engineer - Technology Assessment Program

Lead Test Engineer - Technology Assessment Program

Join to apply for the Lead Test Engineer - Technology Assessment Program role at King County, WA.

We are seeking a wastewater industry leader to lead WTD’s Technology Assessment Program (TAP). WTD is a leader in piloting and assessing new treatment technologies and working with academic researchers and colleagues across the industry. TAP resides in the Policy & Research group which ensures that WTD has a well‑thought‑out approach to research, testing and policy initiatives to support emerging regulations and new developments in research and technology.

Join our team of proactive, innovative, trusted subject matter experts in wastewater engineering.

This position will lead a team of wastewater test engineers. You will develop annual work plans, assign staff work, and manage a capital budget. You will serve as the primary contact for WTD’s Technology Assessment Program and develop and present information to a variety of internal and external audiences. In addition to leading staff, you will play a key hands‑on role in testing innovative treatment technologies and participating in applied research projects.

Overall, this position is responsible for evaluating the applicability of new technologies to King County wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance, which includes monitoring trends in the wastewater industry. This position supports innovation and helps ensure that WTD has a well‑thought‑out approach to support emerging regulations and new developments in research and technology.

The Technology Assessment Program (TAP) ensures that WTD takes full advantage of wastewater industry innovations, partnering with utilities across the field and research institutions to monitor and promote new technologies. TAP provides technical services to stimulate innovation, build a sustainable and resilient future, advance resource recovery, and maximize the cost effectiveness of WTD services. TAP plays a crucial role in helping WTD strategically evaluate and make decisions for WTD’s technology and innovation opportunities, including improved treatment processes and efficiencies, process controls and treatment reliability, reducing the environmental footprint of wastewater treatment and its byproducts, and improvements in safety.

• Testing of innovative treatment technologies, writing test plans, procuring pilot equipment, designing pilot installations, commissioning and operating pilot systems, evaluating data, writing test reports.
• Participation in applied research projects in collaboration with academic institutions and industry organizations (e.g., Water Research Foundation).
• Support treatment plant process groups with troubleshooting and optimization of treatment plant unit processes.
• Support planning and capital program projects with alternatives evaluation, design review, and commissioning.
• Technology proposal review and disposition.
• Maintain a physical presence at WTD’s treatment plants and offsite facilities.
• Provide leadership on long‑term TAP program strategy and program‑wide issues and projects including research partnerships, industry‑wide monitoring, pilot projects, and strategic planning.
• Participate in development, implementation and monitoring of TAP capital program budget.
• Develop annual work plan and priorities for TAP, monitor staff workloads and assign work to program staff. Coordinate backup to other staff when they are unavailable.
• Serve as primary contact for TAP on internal and external groups. Develop and present information to a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Conduct regular check‑ins with all TAP staff and assist supervisor with personnel matters including staff professional development.

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• Twelve years increasingly responsible wastewater engineering experience commensurate with a professional engineer registration; at least eight of those years as a licensed P.E.
• Thorough knowledge of wastewater engineering principles and techniques as well as familiarity with wastewater facilities construction principles…