Water Treatment Lead

MKN (an Ardurra company) is seeking a Water Treatment Lead to join our team ideally in Irvine, CA., but could be based out of any of our California offices.

We are a team-oriented and highly motivated group with offices in Irvine, Oceanside, Arroyo Grande, San Luis Obispo, Bakersfield, Fresno, San Jose, Ventura, and Santa Clarita. MKN strongly believes in and understands the importance of balancing work and personal life. Our recent awards, from Great Place to Work and Zweig Top Firms, are a testament to this value and the support we provide to our fellow team members.

Our collaborative work environment and inclusive operating philosophy allow us to maintain a positive work culture while providing excellent service to our clients.

To work closely with Operations Managers, Principals, and other staff to drive business within the California market. This role will involve collaborating with local water professionals to develop and implement an innovative business strategy, identifying and leading key regional pursuits, managing large multidisciplinary projects in advanced water treatment and building strategic relationships with clients and teaming partners.

• Serve as a technical lead and/or project manager on water treatment infrastructure projects
• Lead and mentor a team of engineers, designers, and support staff to deliver high-quality, on-time, and within-budget solutions.
• Develop process designs for advanced and conventional drinking water treatment systems, including pilot testing, bench-scale studies, and process optimization.
• Oversee and participate in the preparation of engineering reports, technical memoranda, cost estimates, specifications, and construction drawings.
• Coordinate and collaborate with clients, regulatory agencies, and internal teams throughout all project phases.
• Support business development activities, including client engagement, proposal writing, and presentations.
• Stay current on emerging technologies, regulations, and industry trends impacting drinking water treatment and distribution.
• Experience with California water regulations and permitting processes.
• Experience with physical-chemical modeling processes (RTW Software, Membrane Water Quality/Hydraulic Modeling Software, Excel-based process equipment sizing tools).
• Experience in executing- and managing- the development of detailed mechanical process plans, specifications, and cost estimates as the Engineer-of-Record for both small- and large projects.
• Business development or client management experience in California.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Environmental, or Chemical Engineering (Master’s preferred).
• Professional Civil Engineer (PE) license (California PE preferred)
• Minimum 8 to 12 years of relevant experience in drinking water treatment and infrastructure design and delivery as a lead designer and/or project technical leader, and engineer-of-record.
• Proven record leading multi-disciplinary teams on water treatment and infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of drinking water treatment processes (e.g., conventional coagulation/ filtration processes, disinfection processes, chemical systems, groundwater treatment technologies, and membrane systems).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and thrive in a fast-paced, client-facing environment.

Compensation is based on experience and qualifications. The salary range for this position is $140,000 – $200,000. The firm offers a competitive salary and benefits, and most importantly, an opportunity for engagement and support from an engineering team that has led major regional and national water resource projects.

While Ardurra offers competitive compensation and rich benefits programs, it is our culture that truly sets us apart from our peers. We nurture a family-like culture, striving to create a work environment that is enjoyable, challenging and rewarding but also fun. We are acutely focused on developing our staff, whether through our internal Ardurra Academy or through our industry-leading Leadership program.

We have made a…