Principal Engineer - Water Treatment

Job Description

Job Description

Who We Are:

West Yost is a water resource management and engineering firm focused exclusively on water. Since our founding in 1990, we have partnered with public agencies including cities, counties, utilities, and water districts to plan, design, and deliver water, wastewater, and stormwater solutions that support safe, reliable, and resilient communities.

Our team of more than 260 professionals brings together expertise in groundwater, water supply, treatment, infrastructure, recycled water, stormwater, construction management, and operations technology. We support projects from early planning and permitting through design and construction and complement our engineering services with program management and public outreach to help clients move work forward and engage their communities.

We are proud to be certified as a Great Place to Work®, and to be recognized among Fortune’s® Best Workplaces in Consulting and Professional Services from 2023 to 2025, as well as a top-ranked firm in the AEC Advisors Diversity Index. At West Yost, we are committed to being the water firm of choice for our clients and our team, advancing water resources for future generations through strong partnerships, practical solutions, and a shared commitment to quality.

Compensation Range: $129,260 - $194,145.  Based on our Irvine, CA office location.  (West Yost uses geographic salary differentials that would apply for candidates in other regions). 

Status: Full-time, Exempt

Location:  Preferred locations are Irvine or San Diego, CA   ( ).

This is a Hybrid role with 3 days in the office and 2 days remote.

Position Description:

Principal Engineer – Drinking Water Treatment

The Principal Engineer –Drinking Water Treatment is responsible for leading planning and design of water treatment projects. This includes business development and proposal writing along with managing and engaging in project work from project planning, preliminary design, design, and support services during construction.  We are seeking a dynamic leader who is passionate about pushing our capabilities to new heights. This individual will thrive in a collaborative environment, working closely with both clients and team members to drive success. With a proven track record in capturing and delivering impactful projects, developing strong client relationships, and mentoring and guiding staff, this leader will play a pivotal role in shaping our future. This position offers a unique opportunity to provide strategic support to the Treatment Business Sector, while making a lasting impact on our organization’s growth and success.

Other duties include:

• Lead engineering designs, construction drawings, specifications, and calculations for various projects.  Review project designs and drawings for compliance with engineering principles, firm standards, regulatory compliance, customer contract requirements, and related specifications.
• Establish and foster client relations and develops proposals and budgets.  Meet with clients to determine recommended project scope and estimate staffing requirements and fee.
• Develop and maintain client contact before, during, and after project completion.  Cultivate client relationships through organizational involvement and by direct contact.
• Use technical knowledge to develop technical studies/reports and designs for water treatment projects.
• Make recommendations to senior management as to additional staff and resource needs.  Assign staff and other resources, working with other managers to balance overall company workload and best utilize personnel.
• Prepare and conduct technical review of staff, reports, correspondence, calculations and prepare technical recommendations.  Prepare opinions of probable cost on current and new designs.  Ensures projects are delivered on schedule and within scope and budget.
• Project management of major design and construction projects. Effectively direct projects from planning through completion. Keep timely track of project progress, schedule, and budget. Monitor project scopes, request contract amendments when appropriate.
• Mentor engineering staff on technical matters and procedures and act as a technical resource.
• Contribute to technical journals and conference presentations.
• Provide quality assurance for plans and contract documents for construction of improvements within specialty area.
• Determine clients’ invoicing requirements and work with accounting staff to prepare timely monthly invoices. Prepare summary billing descriptions if appropriate or required by client.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in in Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years’ experience in civil engineering consulting or engineering management.
• Excellent writing and communication skills are essential.
• PE licensure in the State of California, or ability to obtain PE licensure within 6 months of hire.  PE licensure in other states that firm is actively practicing may also be considered.

Travel Requirements:

This position may require travel to other offices and/or client offices.

A Little About the West Yost Life:

You will experience many opportunities to grow and develop professionally with your colleagues through collaborative in-person work experience, knowledge sharing, and mentorship opportunities. We also offer hybrid and flexible work schedules to our employees to help promote and encourage a healthy work/life balance.  All of our team members have access to local and company-wide events, our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Workgroup, Culture Workgroup, Wellness Workgroup, book clubs, charitable giving and community service, firm-wide resources, peer groups (young professionals & middlers group), and mentorship and leadership programs.  We support and foster your career success and encourage you to be in control of your future with us.

At West Yost, we make space for connection across the firm. Each month, we hold an all-hands meeting that bring together team members from every location, including those working remotely, to stay aligned and engaged. Individual sectors and teams also hold their own monthly meeting. At the local level, our offices host gatherings, from camping trips and river rafting to community events and celebrations.

Once a year, we come together in person for our Annual All Staff event, a firmwide experience focused on learning, networking, and building relationships across teams. That evening, we continue our longest-standing tradition, the Duck Dinner, where West Yosters are encouraged to bring a guest and enjoy a night of great food, connection, and entertainment.

We work hard, and we place equal value on having fun.

Our commitment to quality begins with our hiring practices. We employ the most talented team members in our industry from all backgrounds. We are highly selective of the individuals we choose to represent the firm, seeking only those individuals whose technical abilities and commitment to client service matches our vision for excellence.  We are dedicated to our number one asset, our employees.  Because we are employee-owned, we are responsible for and rewarded by our own success. Come to West Yost where, with our support, you’ll do the best work of your life.

Standard Benefits:

We provide a comprehensive array of valuable benefits to protect your health, your family, and your way of life. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, flexible spending accounts, health saving accounts (with West Yost contribution), paid vacation, paid sick leave and holidays, two employee assistance programs, travel assistance program, 401(k) profit sharing with employer match, leaves of absence with additional supplemental paid time off, parental leave, life and AD&D insurance, short-term and long-term disability insurance, and even pet insurance.

Other Unique Benefits:

You’ll be provided with support in on-going education through our 529 college savings plan/student loan repayment program, tuition reimbursement, paid professional memberships, paid training, and Leadership Academy programs. You’ll be recognized for your contributions at West Yost through milestone anniversary benefits, peer to peer recognition programs, the potential for employee stock ownership, annual monetary and paid time off bonuses, performance-based bonus eligibility, merit increase eligibility, and employee referral bonuses. We also offer a wellness reimbursement.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.