Principal Engineer - Water Pipeline Infrastructure

Qualifications

Functional Competencies

The Principal Engineer – Water Pipeline Infrastructure serves as the Agency's senior individual contributor engineering role, providing expert technical leadership across complex capital projects, infrastructure repair and rehabilitation initiatives, and asset management programs. They lead multi-phase projects from planning through construction closeout, develop and implement Agency-wide asset management strategies and emergency response protocols, and function as the Agency's technical authority on water pipeline infrastructure including but not limited to design standards, materials, etc.

Responsibilities include leading technical evaluation teams, facilitating coordination across multidisciplinary teams, and representing the Agency in technical discussions with contractors, regulatory agencies, stakeholders, and customers. The Principal Engineer works under the general direction of the Engineering Manager.

Functional Competencies

• Anticipates and mitigates potential project risks.
• Leads root cause analysis and develops innovative or cross-disciplinary solutions.
• Makes well-justified decisions under pressure.

• Oversees large, complex, or multi-phase capital projects.
• Develops and executes project delivery plans, risk management strategies, and QA/QC programs.
• Resolves high-level construction issues, including claims, disputes, and change negotiations.
• Ensures alignment with agency goals, regulatory mandates, and funding conditions; mentors project and construction managers.

• Leads technical evaluation teams.
• Performs in-depth assessments of complex or innovative designs, value engineering proposals, and contract compliance.
• Provides expert recommendations.

• Leads complex pipeline system projects involving advanced materials, trenchless technologies, or large-scale renewals/replacements.
• Develops and implements asset management strategies, preventive maintenance plans, and emergency response protocols.

• Leads technical discussions with contractors, regulatory agencies, and the Agency customers.
• Reviews and edits technical documents prepared by others.
• Facilitates coordination between multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensures all projects comply with applicable local, state, and federal requirements, including but not limited to SWRCB DDW.

• Leads CADD, GIS, and/or other engineering software applications for complex water system analysis and decision support.
• Develops custom tools, dashboards, or workflows to support asset management, risk assessments, and capital planning.
• Coordinates data integration with other systems (e.g., CMMS, SCADA).

• Listens actively and asks clarifying questions.
• Communicates clearly, concisely and respectfully to coworkers and customers.
• Manages emotions constructively in routine and stressful situations.

• Follows through on commitments and updates others when plans change.
• Adheres to policies, safety standards, and procedures.
• Owns mistakes and takes corrective action.

• Shares information and resources proactively.
• Recognizes and values others' expertise and responsibilities; seeks input when needed.
• Offers and requests help during high-demand or cross-team tasks.

• Adapts to new processes, technologies, and priorities.
• Identifies, suggests and helps implement improvement opportunities.

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is required.
• A graduate degree in one of the above-mentioned fields is preferred.

• 8 years minimum of progressively responsible professional engineering experience is required, including at least 3 years leading complex or multi-phase capital projects.
• Experience in the planning, design, and implementation of water pipeline…