Resident Engineer

Founded in 1919, KJ has always looked to the future. With a talented team of professionals and a culture of continuous improvement, we deliver exceptional engineering, environmental consulting, and construction management services, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Using advanced analytics, technology, and tools, KJ improves designs, reduces risk, and finds better ways to deliver projects from planning through construction.

KJ is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for clients, including green infrastructure design, strategies to reduce energy use and environmental impacts, award-winning water reuse projects, and efficient construction management practices that ensure quality, safety, and on-time delivery. We are known for our dedication to industry-leading client service and tailored solutions.

Kennedy Jenks is seeking a Resident Engineer in California to provide full-time onsite construction management for major water and wastewater infrastructure projects, including pipelines and pump stations.

This role coordinates field activities, reviews technical and contract documentation, monitors schedules and budgets, and supports clear recommendations for owners and project teams.

What You'll Do

As a Resident Engineer , you'll operate at the intersection of engineering, construction management, contract administration, and client coordination, helping guide complex water and wastewater projects from construction through completion.

• Review construction documentation: Review Requests for Information (RFIs), submittals, plans, specifications, as-builts, daily reports, and extra work tags for alignment with contract requirements.

• Coordinate onsite construction: Track progress, manage material testing and inspections, support startup and commissioning, and coordinate with contractors, inspectors, owners, and project teams.
• Support project controls: Review contractor schedules, pay applications, change orders, budgets, and extra work impacts; provide monthly recommendations to owners and project leadership.
• Engage stakeholders: Work professionally with owners, contractors, the public, permitting agencies, and regulatory partners, including SWPPP-related coordination.
• Lead field teams and support pursuits: Supervise inspectors, provide performance input, attend pursuit meetings and interviews, refer potential hires, and help the team stay aligned through completion.

What Makes This Role Different

• Onsite decision support: Your field presence helps owners and teams address construction questions, field changes, and recordkeeping needs in real time.
• Critical infrastructure impact: Your leadership supports reliable delivery of water and wastewater projects that serve communities and clients.

What You Bring

• Construction judgment: You understand construction risks, recordkeeping needs, and the practical impact of field decisions.
• Technical review capability: You interpret plans, specifications, reports, drawings, contractor documentation, and applicable construction requirements with attention to detail.
• Clear communication: You communicate effectively with project managers, clients, contractors, public stakeholders, and agency representatives.
• Documentation discipline: You bring strong writing, editing, and research skills that support clear records and defensible project files.
• Steady execution: You manage priorities independently, collaborate across teams, and help projects move through complexity.

Qualifications

• Education : Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited four-year college or university required.
• Experience : 5+ years of relevant experience in construction management, engineering, or a closely related field.
• Required knowledge : Working knowledge of Division I specifications, construction management practices, contract requirements, documentation practices, and applicable construction laws and regulations.
• Technical tools : Proficiency with Microsoft Office products and engineering, inspection, or construction management software.

This role is expected to be onsite full time to support field coordination, construction oversight, and project team collaboration.

Salary range for this position is anticipated to be $80,000 to $120,000, and may vary based upon education, experience, qualifications, licensure/certifications, and geographic location.

Benefits summary: Medical, dental, vision, life and disability insurance; a health savings account; a 401(k); bonus programs; tuition reimbursement; employee ownership opportunity; professional registration support; business travel assistance; competitive paid time off and holidays; an employee assistance program; and additional programs that support your wellbeing and professional growth.

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Kennedy Jenks is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, creed, sex, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, marital status, disability, citizenship status, genetics, protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.