Senior Principal Engineer - Water/Wastewater

Senior Principal Engineer

The Senior Principal Engineer is a senior leadership role responsible for technical excellence, strategic growth, and operational oversight within Rinker Design Associates engineering practice. This position combines high-level project leadership, client engagement, and staff development, serving as a key contributor to both regional success and long-term organizational strategy. $10,000 sign-on bonus!

Department: Water/Wastewater

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Blacksburg, VA

Workplace type: Onsite

Compensation: $150,000 - $180,000 / year

What You'll Do

· Provide executive-level oversight and technical direction on complex transportation and infrastructure projects.

· Serve as Engineer of Record as appropriate and ensure adherence to applicable state, federal, and industry standards.

· Review and approve engineering designs, calculations, plans, specifications, and deliverables.

· Act as a trusted advisor to key public-sector and institutional clients.

· Maintain and expand long-term client relationships throughout Virginia and the surrounding region.

· Support strategic pursuits, proposals, and interviews for major project opportunities.

· Lead, mentor, and develop senior engineers, project managers, and emerging leaders.

· Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and technical excellence.

· Support succession planning and workforce development initiatives.

· Collaborate with Rinker Design Associates and Trilon Group leadership on growth initiatives and integration efforts.

· Contribute to operational planning, financial performance, and resource management.

· Identify opportunities to expand services, markets, and delivery methods.

What You'll Need

· Knowledge of graphic designing is very essential utilizing the latest version of Autodesk/Civil 3D

· Knowledge of hydraulic modeling software is a plus: WaterCAD and KYPipe.

· Skill in updating, maintaining, operating and evaluating all AutoCAD software and related equipment

· Strong attention to detail, ensuring edits requested by project manager are accurate

· Able to fully understand and follow complex oral and written instructions

· Ability to operate, access, and maintain diverse software applications

· Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.

· Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

· Basic understanding of ISO 9000 design requirements.

Why Join RDA?

We offer a comprehensive benefits package which includes:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401K Retirement Plan; Roth Contributions
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Life, AD&D, short-term and long-term disability
• Generous PTO and 8 federal holidays + 1 floating holiday
• Parental leave
• Supportive team culture

RDA is an Equal Opportunity Employer and maintains a drug-free workplace. Applicants that require an employment visa sponsorship now or in the future will not be considered.

About Rinker Design Associates

Rinker Design Associates, LLC (RDA) is a distinguished civil engineering firm based in Virginia, with over 250 employees and offices located in Manassas (headquarters and satellite), Fredericksburg, Richmond, Virginia Beach, Waynesboro, Abingdon, Big Stone Gap, and Galax. For more than 44 years, RDA has built a solid reputation for providing conscientious and reliable service to municipalities, governmental agencies, and private industries located throughout Virginia – service that our clients and their communities deserve. We pride ourselves in offering high quality deliverables and support services that meet project, budget, and schedule requirements, exceeding our clients' expectations. Services provided by RDA include Transportation; Alternative Project Delivery; Site/Civil; Construction Engineering and Inspection; Right of Way; Traffic; Surveying; Structures/Bridges; Water/Wastewater; Environmental Review & Permitting; Utilities; Inflow & Infiltration Identification/Remediation; Public Sector Architecture; and GIS. Apply Now

Our Hiring Process

Stage 1: Applied

Stage 2: Initial Screening

Stage 3: 1st Interview

Stage 4: Offer

Stage 5: Hired

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