Principal Engineer - Water & Wastewater

1 day ago Be among the first 25 applicants

Get AI-powered advice on this job and more exclusive features.

Riley Engineering is a civil engineering firm specializing in water resources. Our mission is to engineer and implement solutions to provide society with water infrastructure. Riley was founded to improve people’s lives by ensuring that all have the necessary civil infrastructure to facilitate socioeconomic well-being. Our employees rally behind that mission and enjoy building the firm from the ground up together—pairing technical expertise with business acumen and a heart for helping others.

Candidate must demonstrate professional experience in an engineering consulting role. Resume must be project-based and include projects the candidate has worked on in the United States. Include: project title, client, location, your role, software you used, and any calculations or analyses you performed. Please do not apply if you do not meet these qualifications.

We are seeking a talented and motivated Principal Engineer with a passion for water and wastewater, and a desire to contribute to the broader field of water resources engineering. As a key member of our team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of water infrastructure projects that empower communities. Our company is on a mission to make a meaningful impact through innovative water solutions, and we are seeking a practice leader eager to join us at the ground level and grow with us.

In this role, you will take on leadership responsibilities, guiding technical direction, approving, and sealing engineering deliverables, and collaborating with a team of engineers dedicated to delivering high‑quality water resources and civil projects. The ideal candidate will have a strong civil engineering design background with experience in water and wastewater.

The initial expectation of the position is for time to be spent approximately 70% on billable work (engineering design projects) and 30% on business development (bringing in new business). Over time, the percentage of billable work vs. non‑billable work and the nature of work assignments may be adjusted depending on the needs of the firm. Travel for work should be anticipated.

Our projects are currently in 3 states (AZ, NM, UT), and PE licensure in those states will be required. The expansion of services and licensure into other states is expected.

• Lead and manage water & wastewater engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery, cost‑effectiveness, and compliance with local, state, and federal regulations.
• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership within the water & wastewater team, including mentoring junior engineers and fostering a collaborative environment.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams to ensure that water resource solutions are innovative, sustainable, and aligned with the needs of the communities we serve.
• Stay informed on the latest trends, technologies, and best practices in water & wastewater engineering, and integrate these insights into project work and company strategies.
• Work with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies to ensure successful project outcomes and compliance with environmental and safety standards.
• Champion a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the engineering team, promoting technical innovation and high standards of work quality.
• Be an integral part of the company’s growth and expansion efforts, contributing to the development of new business opportunities and strategic initiatives.
• Help to streamline engineering processes and develop internal quality controls on design work.

For billable work on projects, the duties and tasks may include (but are not limited to):

• Engineer of Record for the design of water and wastewater infrastructure (e.g., waterlines, sewer, septic systems, pump/lift stations, tanks, etc.).
• Leading design team to complete projects on time and on budget.
• Preparing construction drawings and documentation (i.e., bid documents).
• Preparing technical memoranda and design reports.
• Providing quality assurance and quality control reviews on engineering documentation.
• Serving as a senior technical reviewer.
• Mentorin…