Principal Water Engineer (Municipal Water Infrastructure)

Job Description

Job Description

ETIC is seeking an experienced Principal Water Engineer to establish and lead a new municipal water engineering practice, emphasizing water supply, distribution, conveyance, pumping, storage, and related infrastructure.

This is an exceptional opportunity for an entrepreneurial engineering professional to build a business within an established firm —developing client relationships, shaping strategy, and building a team with the full support of company leadership.

Unlike positions where you inherit an existing department, this role offers the freedom to create something new, with substantial autonomy and direct access to ownership.

You'll leverage ETIC's existing technical expertise, resources, and longstanding client relationships while establishing a new presence in California's municipal water infrastructure market.

Why You'll Love Working with ETIC:

• Build & Lead a New Practice : shape the business strategy, develop client relationships, and recruit your own engineering team.

• Real Autonomy & Influence : work directly with ownership, with meaningful decision-making authority and minimal bureaucracy.

• Established Firm, Strong Foundation : benefit from ETIC's 35-year history, existing engineering capabilities, and supportive leadership.

• Flexible Work Options : remote work flexibility throughout California.

• Collaborative, People-First Culture : professional trust, supportive colleagues, and a genuine commitment to work/life balance.

• Strong Compensation & Growth Potential : $170,000–$200,000+ annual base salary, depending on qualifications, plus performance-based incentives.

What You'll Bring

• 15+ years of engineering experience , preferably in consulting, with significant municipal water infrastructure expertise.

• California Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred, along with a civil engineering or related degree.

• Established relationships with California municipalities, water districts, or public utilities.

• Demonstrated success in business development, client management, and winning new work .

• Strong leadership skills and the entrepreneurial ambition to establish and grow a practice.

You don't necessarily need to be a principal today. An accomplished senior project manager or emerging practice leader with strong client relationships and business development capabilities could be an excellent fit.

If you're ready to build a water engineering practice with the autonomy of an entrepreneur and the backing of an established firm, we'd love to hear from you!

Next Steps: Complete our brief Application/Skills Self-Assessment linked below. We'll reach out to you within 48 hours to schedule an introductory conversation with our Principal Recruiter.  Apply today!

ETIC is an established California environmental engineering and consulting firm celebrating 35 years of delivering innovative solutions for public agencies, utilities, and private-sector clients. With approximately 100 employees, ETIC combines the resources and stability of an established company with the agility and entrepreneurial spirit of a smaller organization.