Lead Municipal Wastewater Treatment Engineer

Job ID: 6917Req ID: 434Location: San Diego, CA, USAPosted: 2026-09-23Job Family: Technical Professional - EngineersPay Type: SalaryFounded 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 and environmental consulting services today, with a focus on innovation and sustainability. Using new advanced analytics, technology, and tools, KJ improves designs, reduces risk, and finds better ways to deliver projects. KJ is at the forefront of developing sustainable solutions for clients, including green infrastructure design, strategies to reduce energy use and environmental impacts, and award-winning water reuse projects. We are known for our dedication to industry-leading client service and tailored solutions. Kennedy Jenks is seeking a strategic and collaborative Lead Municipal Wastewater Treatment Engineer based in California to guide wastewater treatment projects for municipal clients. In this leadership role, you will serve as a technical leader, lead multidisciplinary teams, and deliver innovative, high-quality solutions. This role combines process design leadership, technical quality oversight, team coordination, and client-facing support for complex projects with evolving regulatory and operational needs. You’ll help shape project outcomes, mentor staff, advance project excellence, and represent Kennedy Jenks in client and industry settings. What You’ll Do As a Lead Municipal Wastewater Treatment Engineer, you’ll lead technical delivery, support client engagement, and mentor project teams. Lead project delivery: Direct wastewater treatment and infrastructure projects, including feasibility studies, facility planning, and treatment plant upgrades. Guide process design: Lead process design for physical, chemical, and biological wastewater treatment systems. Oversee deliverables: Review calculations, drawings, specifications, design reports, and related technical documents for complex treatment projects. Support client engagement: Partner with client service managers on proposals, client meetings, and interviews by contributing process innovations and technical insights. Plan project work: Develop scopes, budgets, and schedules aligned with client needs, project objectives, and regulatory requirements. Mentor staff: Provide technical guidance to colleagues engaged in wastewater treatment planning, design, and delivery. Represent Kennedy Jenks: Participate in internal and external meetings, industry forums, and technical discussions as a trusted wastewater treatment expert. What Makes This Role Different Meaningful project impact: Shape wastewater treatment solutions that improve infrastructure, support communities, and address complex client needs. Visible technical leadership: Apply your expertise in high-impact settings, from project strategy and client discussions to technical forums and industry conversations. Opportunity to grow others: Mentor colleagues, share knowledge, and help strengthen a collaborative technical community. What You Bring Technical judgment : Ability to evaluate complex wastewater treatment challenges and recommend practical, innovative solutions. Collaborative leadership : Comfort leading multidisciplinary teams, coordinating across functions, and building trust with clients and colleagues. Client-focused mindset : Commitment to understanding client goals, communicating clearly, and supporting responsive, high-quality service. Project ownership : Ability to balance scope, budget, schedule, technical quality, and regulatory considerations throughout project delivery. Mentorship mindset : Interest in coaching staff, sharing knowledge, and helping strengthen technical capability across the team. Qualifications Education : Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering. Experience : 7+ years of wastewater treatment engineering experience, including municipal wastewater treatment projects. Technical background : Experience with process design, facility planning, treatment plant upgrades, calculations, design reports, drawings, and specifications. Communication : Excellent written and oral communication skills for client, team, and technical discussions. Licensure : Professional Engineer (PE) license required in California. Kennedy Jenks supports a healthy work-life balance and utilizes a hybrid model of home and office work, with a minimum of two days per week in the office. This approach empowers our people to thrive, collaborate, and achieve their full potential. Salary range for this position is anticipated to be $92,000 to $171,000, and may vary based on 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. #LI-Hybrid 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.