Wastewater Treatment Engineering Lead

MKN (an Ardurra company) is seeking a Wastewater Treatment lead to join our team ideally in Irvine, CA. , but could be based out of any of our California offices.

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.

Primary Function

This position will work closely with Operations Managers, Principals, and other staff to drive business within the California market. This role will involve collaborating with local water professionals to develop and implement an innovative business strategy, identifying and leading key regional pursuits, managing large multidisciplinary projects in wastewater treatment, water reuse, and biosolids, and building strategic relationships with clients and teaming partners.

Primary Duties

• Stay current on regulatory policy changes and maintain working relationships with regulatory officials.
• Contribute to business development efforts, including pursuit strategy, prepositioning, proposal development, and project interviews.
• Serve as a technical advisor to design teams and clients throughout the project lifecycle—planning, design, construction, startup and commissioning, and operations.
• Ensure joint accountability for project execution, quality, and financial performance.
• Mentor and supervise team members to build best-in‑class capabilities.
• Strengthen technical skills within the team through staff development and recruitment.
• Manage projects to deliver a high level of quality within budget and schedule constraints.
• Act as a technology leader, recognized as a company/industry expert within your specialty.
• Experience in wastewater and reuse design, with an emphasis on treatment processes and plant design for consulting engineering.

Education And Experience Requirements

• Collaborate with leadership to focus on water reuse, wastewater treatment, and biosolids clients.
• Foster and develop relationships with design‑build partners, assisting with pursuits in strategic planning, stakeholder outreach, proposal development, and project management.
• Build and nurture strategic relationships with key officials, industry leaders, and agency management, working alongside Operations Managers and company leadership.
• Engage actively in local professional organizations, such as CWEA, AWWA, and Water Use, aiming for leadership roles on boards or committees.
• Lead project delivery by providing technical direction and fiscal oversight, ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, and budget, and promoting quality control.
• Identify business development opportunities that advance MKN’s presence in Southern California’s wastewater/water reuse sectors.

Why Ardurra?

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; provided the tools and resources to be successful, engaged, and satisfied in their work; and positive benefits, time‑off programs, and flexibility to help maintain a healthy balance between work and home.

Ardurra is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.