Water Treatment Facility Design Engineer

What You Will Do

GFT is seeking a Water Treatment Design Engineer to join our Water team. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at one of our many offices.

Joining the water resources team at GFT means contributing to innovative solutions for sustainable water management and infrastructure. Our team excels in dams and levees, advanced water and wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and conveyance, collection, and transmission. With a focus on integrating technology, sustainability, and compliance, each project is an opportunity to innovate and evolve to protect public health and enhance quality of life.

What you’ll be challenged to do:

In this role you will lead and support design, optimize, and manage systems that treat and transport drinking water to ensure safety, efficiency, and environmental compliance.

• System Design:
  Designing water treatment plants and pumping stations, including detailed CAD drawings and equipment selection.
• Process Optimization:
  Analyzing and enhancing treatment techniques such as pH adjustment, chemical dosing, and aeration.
• System Hydraulics:
  Performing hydraulic analysis of existing and new plants, selecting pumps, and evaluating performance.
• Testing and Monitoring:
  Analyzing lab data, operator reports, and chemical usage to resolve operational issues and improve efficiency.
• Compliance and Safety:
  Ensuring treated water meets municipal or industrial regulatory standards, protecting public health and the environment.
• Project Management:
  Conducting feasibility studies, upgrading infrastructure, and managing projects from design to completion.
• Data Analysis:
  Monitoring operator reports and lab results to refine treatment techniques.
• Technical:
  Acting as a technical specialist in conventional and advanced water treatment.

• BS in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering (MS preferred).
• Professional Engineer Licensed required (PE) or ability to obtain in 6–12 months.
• 8+ years of experience in water discipline, especially designing water infrastructure projects.
• Expert knowledge in standard engineering techniques and procedures.
• Demonstrated experience in primary treatment, filtration, chemical storage, advanced treatment, disinfection, hydraulics, and solids handling.
• Successful track record leading water design and plant facilities projects.
• Experience with both conventional and membrane filtration.
• Progressive experience in evaluation, design, permitting, and construction administration of water treatment facilities.

The salary range for this role is $90,000–$200,000, depending on experience and geographic location.

• Hybrid work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, pet insurance, medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development and active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Irvine, San Diego, Roseville, Los Angeles, CA or Denver, Colorado.

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM.

Full-Time.

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We are the employer of choice for 5,000+ professionals across engineering, planning, architecture, and more.

GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status, or other characteristics protected by law.

Successful completion of a criminal background check is required for all advertised positions.