Assistant Engineer

Join our team as an Assistant Engineer EIT!

Santa Margarita Water District

Santa Margarita Water District is seeking a motivated and technically skilled Assistant Engineer (Engineer-in-Training) to support the planning, design, construction, and operation of water, recycled water, and wastewater infrastructure. This full-time, entry-level professional engineering position plays a key role in delivering capital improvement projects, preparing engineering plans and specifications, coordinating with consultants and agencies, and supporting the District’s long-term infrastructure and reliability goals.

This position is ideal for an early-career engineer who is building experience toward professional licensure and is interested in gaining broad exposure to public-sector engineering, project delivery, and utility operations.

Under general supervision, the Assistant Engineer (EIT) performs a wide range of professional engineering duties in support of capital projects and ongoing system planning. This is the entry-level classification in the Engineering series and is designed to provide progressive technical and project experience under the direction of licensed engineers.

The role focuses on developing core competencies in engineering analysis, design review, construction support, consultant coordination, and regulatory compliance. As experience and proficiency increase, the Assistant Engineer assumes increasing responsibility and complexity of assignments and may advance to the journey-level Engineer classification.

Santa Margarita Water District is a dynamic, forward-thinking agency dedicated to delivering high-quality potable water, recycled water, and wastewater services to its 200,000 customers across Southern Orange County. As one of the region’s largest and most impactful utilities, we are committed to the highest standards of transparency, innovation, and environmental stewardship.

Our people drive our progress, innovation, and results. Our collaborative, human-first culture fosters a sense of camaraderie and purpose as we do work that truly matters.

Dynamic teams of intelligent individuals work collaboratively to achieve the District’s goals and solve challenges with a shared commitment that is not often found in governmental agencies.

• Exemplary service excellence
• Intelligent innovation that is forward-thinking and adaptive
• Ethical fiscal responsibility and transparency
• Environmental and resource stewardship
• Employee development and leadership training
• Building relationships that strengthen communities

• Support planning, design, and construction of water, wastewater, and recycled water facilities, pipelines, pump stations, and reservoirs
• Review master plans, improvement plans, engineering studies, drawings, and specifications for compliance with District standards and regulations
• Perform engineering calculations, cost estimates, and schedule analyses for capital and operational projects
• Assist with preparation of plans, specifications, bid documents, Requests for Proposals, and engineering reports
• Coordinate with consultants, contractors, developers, and other agencies; review submittals and assist with contract administration and change orders
• Track project schedules, budgets, and progress; prepare status reports and staff presentations
  
  Participate in field investigations and construction inspections to verify conformance with plans, specifications, and safety standards
• Support permitting, environmental compliance, and interagency coordination efforts
• Provide technical assistance to operations and maintenance staff on infrastructure, hydraulic, and system performance issues
• Assist with master planning, water supply and demand studies, asset condition assessments, and reliability analyses

• Strong foundation in civil, mechanical, or environmental engineering principles
• Ability to perform engineering analysis, interpret technical documents, and prepare clear written reports
• Working knowledge of design standards, construction practices, and regulatory requirements for water and wastewater…