Senior Water​/Wastewater Engineer

Vikus Water is a utility engineering firm of engineers, operators, and technical staff dedicated exclusively to the water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and alternative water systems serving The Villages community, the fastest-growing community in the United States.

We function as the owner’s engineer. We manage real utility assets. We make decisions that directly impact operating budgets, regulatory compliance, capital planning, and plant performance.

This is a long-term career opportunity for an engineer who wants to plan, build, operate, and improve large‑scale utility systems without excessive bureaucracy or business development pressure. Engineers at Vikus Water are deeply involved in projects from early planning and permitting through construction and operational implementation, allowing them to see their work become reality.

Over the next four years, the selected engineer will have opportunities to act in three distinct capacities:
Utility Representative, Program Manager, and Design Engineer. The role includes hands‑on involvement in the planning, permitting, design, and implementation of:

• Two new 4‑5 MGD greenfield water treatment plants
• 3‑4 MGD greenfield wastewater treatment plant
• Elevated storage tanks
• Major transmission infrastructure
• Alternative water and stormwater irrigation systems

Vikus Water serves as both the engineering department and water resources engineer for The Villages.

Responsibilities include:

• Utility master planning
• Operational oversight
• Consultant and contractor management
• Regulatory coordination
• Water resource and permitting support

The utility portfolio includes:

• Five wastewater treatment facilities
• Thirty irrigation pump stations
• Advanced alternative stormwater supply systems
• Regional water, wastewater, and non‑potable utility systems

The position is intended for a licensed civil or environmental engineer with significant experience in utility engineering. The background should include a mix of planning, design, design review, construction phase services, and operational oversight for water, wastewater, reclaimed water, and stormwater systems. This role suits an engineer who wants ownership, not a narrow task list.

The firm offers a technically strong, close‑knit team environment with direct access to leadership and decision‑makers. Compensation is competitive and includes biannual performance bonuses and comprehensive benefits.

• Provides management, technical direction, and accountability for planning, design, permitting, construction, and startup of water, wastewater, and reuse treatment facilities. Owns technical outcomes related to capacity, treatment performance, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
• Manages internal engineering staff and external consultants responsible for utility planning, design, and construction support. Assigns work, sets priorities, reviews technical products, and enforces quality and schedule expectations.
• Establishes and approves design criteria for water, wastewater, and reuse facilities, transmission systems, collection systems, pump stations, and associated infrastructure. Makes final technical decisions on treatment process selection, redundancy, hydraulic profiles, and major equipment.
• Owns long‑range capital improvement planning for utility systems, including project identification, prioritization, scope definition, cost opinions, scheduling, and alignment with funding, rate models, and impact fee programs.
• Directs preparation of engineering reports, plans, specifications, and procurement documents for capital improvement projects. Approves technical scope prior to advertisement. Leads technical evaluation of bids and qualifications.
• Serves as owner’s technical authority during construction. Controls technical scope, evaluates and approves or rejects change orders, resolves technical disputes, reviews pay applications, and enforces conformance with contract documents for treatment, mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation systems.
• Leads facility startup, commissioning, and performance testing. Coordinates with operations staff, contractors, and regulators to achieve permitted capacity, effluent limits, and…