Project Director - Water & Wastewater

MKN (an Ardurra company) is seeking a Project Director – Water & Wastewater to join our team in ideally in Ventura, CA
. We are a team-oriented and highly motivated group with offices in Irvine, Oceanside, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Fresno, San Jose, Ventura, and Santa Clarita. MKN strongly believes in and understands the importance of balancing work and personal life. Our recent awards, from Great Place to Work and Zweig Top Firms, are a testament to this value and the support we provide to our fellow team members.

Our collaborative work environment and inclusive operating philosophy allow us to maintain a positive work culture while providing excellent service to our clients.

This position will drive business development and lead projects in the water and wastewater industry for our Ventura office. This role blends client engagement with technical project delivery, offering the opportunity to build relationships, develop solutions, and execute impactful infrastructure projects across Southern California.

• Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and community meetings, strengthening the company’s reputation and visibility.
• Identify, pursue, and secure new business opportunities in the water and wastewater markets, focusing on municipal, industrial, and private sector clients.
• Manage Ventura office, including business development, client services, and Ventura staff workload.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships to understand their needs and position the firm as a trusted partner.
• Lead proposal preparation, presentations, and negotiations to win projects and grow the firm’s presence in the region.
• Oversee the successful planning, design, and execution of complex water and wastewater projects, including treatment plants, pipelines, and distribution/collection systems.
• Act as the principal‑in‑charge or project manager for key projects, ensuring technical excellence, budget adherence, and on‑time delivery.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams and subcontractors to deliver innovative, sustainable, and client‑focused solutions.
• Serve as a mentor and technical leader, fostering the development of junior staff and cultivating a culture of collaboration and excellence.
• Provide strategic input to the company’s growth initiatives, market positioning, and operational efficiency.
• Stay informed of industry trends, regulations, and innovations to anticipate client needs and market shifts.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental, or related Engineering field (Master’s preferred).
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in California required.
• 15+ years of experience in the water and wastewater industry, including a mix of technical project delivery and business development. Experience managing delivery of design projects is a plus.
• Deep knowledge of California water and wastewater markets, including municipal agency clients, funding mechanisms, and regulatory requirements.
• Strong leadership, communication, and negotiation skills, with the ability to inspire confidence and build lasting relationships.

Compensation is based on experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $175,000 to $220,000. The firm offers a competitive salary and benefits, and most importantly, an opportunity for engagement and support from an engineering team that has led major regional and national water resource projects.

While Ardurra offers competitive compensation and rich benefits programs, it is our culture that truly sets us apart from our peers. We nurture a family‑like culture, striving to create a work environment that is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding but also fun. We are acutely focused on developing our staff, whether through our internal Ardurra Academy or through our industry‑leading Leadership program.

We have made a deliberate and focused commitment to nurture a people‑centric culture where people are valued as individuals, supported in their professional and career development with multiple, varied career paths, and provided the tools and resources to be successful,…