Principal Water/Wastewater Engineer

Communities everywhere share the need for clean water. And as they work to meet that need, they’re facing new, more complex challenges every day. Our water professionals collaborate to contribute innovative ideas, guided by scientific rigor and a vision for sustainable growth. Every day, we’re helping communities improve, reuse, and protect our world’s most precious resource.Join our team to deliver transformational projects that will benefit future generations. Grow with us, H2O+U.Your OpportunityStantec's Water practice is seeking a highly motivated Principal Water/Wastewater Engineer to join our successful water team in our Irvine, California office. Primary responsibilities include client service management, project delivery, design management, and project management for water and wastewater treatment and conveyance projects. We are looking for professionals with experience in the evaluation, planning, design and construction administration of water, recycled water, and wastewater infrastructure projects including proposal, scope, and fee development; alternatives analysis; treatment plant, pump station, and pipeline design; and engineering services during construction. This position offers the right candidate the ability to make a major career advancement. This is an opportunity to improve and grow leadership skills and become a recognized technical resource for a growing California water practice.Your Key ResponsibilitiesBecome engaged in business development and project delivery as a client-facing Project Leader in the Municipal and/or Industrial Water market in California.Manage project staff, financials, and contracts meeting performance goals and client expectations.Promote Stantec’s project delivery structure that includes Project Managers and Project Technical Leads.Provide technical guidance and leadership in the development of innovative technical solutions for water and/or wastewater projects.Communicate effectively and coordinate with clients on projects during planning, design, and construction.Work closely with leadership to identify strategic client relationships to be developed, fostered and/or maintained in California and lead business development efforts.Engage our clients in meaningful discussions about their most critical issues and translate those discussions into opportunities to deliver solutions.Support Stantec’s reputation for innovation and research through participation in California conferences, professional associations, and academic partnerships.Mentor young professionals in the California offices.Comply with Stantec safety procedures and protocols.Your Capabilities and CredentialsExperience organizing, planning, and executing water and/or wastewater treatment and/or conveyance designs from pursuit to design and construction.Experience leading, coordinating, and managing multidisciplinary teams involving internal personnel, subconsultants, vendors, and suppliers.Experience with collaborative delivery projects working with contractors and vendors.Strong client service, project management, and/or design management skills.Strong verbal and written communication skills.Passion for team building, collaboration, and mentoring.Strong technical skills with at least one area of specialized expertise.Ability to meet client expectations on project budgeting and quality management.Experience managing or participating in market and strategic client relationship development campaigns and proposal writing.Must have a good driving record and valid driver’s license.Education and ExperienceEducation: B.S. degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering, M.S. preferredExperience: Minimum of 15 years of water/wastewater treatment or conveyance experienceLicenses/Certifications: Valid California Professional Engineering license, or Professional Engineering license in another state with ability to obtain California license within 1 year of employment required.Typical office environment working with computers and sitting at a desk for long periods of time.Field work may include exposure to the elements including inclement weather.#californiawaterThis description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.Stantec is a place where the best and brightest come to build on each other’s’ talents, do exciting work, and make an impact on the world around us. Join us and redefine your personal best.Pay Range:• Locations in WA, DC & Various CA areas - Min Salary $ 173,200.00 - Max Salary $ 268,700.00Pay Transparency: In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.Benefits Summary: Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreementsPrimary Location: United States | CA | IrvineOrganization: BC-1840 Water-US PacificEmployee Status: RegularBusiness Justification: New PositionTravel: YesSchedule: Full timeJob Posting: 21/07/2026 04:07:57Req ID: REQ2500026ZStantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.