Wastewater Senior Technical Manager

Overview

Woodard & Curran is a national engineering, science and operations firm with a simple vision for clean water, a safe environment, healthy communities and happy people. As an employee‑owned company, we cultivate teams that encourage collaboration in an inclusive culture. We seek talented individuals from all backgrounds to help us address a broad range of water and environmental issues. We prioritize our people, offering opportunities for professional growth, ownership and flexibility.

This commitment enables us to make a meaningful impact on our clients, communities and the planet.

What’s in it for you

Woodard & Curran is offering a unique opportunity to join one of our Southern California offices providing high‑quality wastewater engineering services to municipal clients throughout the West region and across the nation. The successful candidate will be a motivated, growth‑oriented professional with the ability to lead and grow the South Region Wastewater Team and multi‑discipline project teams from the concept, final design and construction phases;

start‑up and operations of facilities. This is an opportunity for an experienced wastewater professional to make a meaningful regional impact – driving technical excellence, mentoring the next generation of engineers and scientists, and partnering closely with communities to solve complex challenges.

Location

Southern California (office locations: San Diego, Los Angeles, Irvine)

This role is hybrid

Expected to be in the office at least one day per week, with additional on‑site presence on an as‑needed basis.

Travel

20%

Who we’re looking for

The candidate will primarily lead and support engineering on municipal wastewater projects; experience with drinking water, storm water, and industrial water applications is valuable. The role offers a chance to direct and collaborate with a team of junior staff. The ideal candidate is a Senior Technical Manager with strong experience in study, planning, and design of wastewater systems, including familiarity with a broad range of issues related to master planning, treatment and collection/distribution in water or wastewater systems.

The candidate is energized by solving complex treatment challenges, enjoys working directly with clients, and is excited to play a key role in growing Woodard & Curran’s wastewater treatment practice in the West Region.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership on wastewater projects of all sizes, from the concept, final design and construction phases; start‑up and operations of facilities.
• Lead and grow the West Region Wastewater Team and multi‑discipline project teams, identifying emerging opportunities, supporting key pursuits, and contributing to the firm’s long‑term technical leadership strategy.
• Build and strengthen client relationships, contributing to business development efforts, proposal preparation, and strategic pursuits in the municipal wastewater market.
• Serve as a recognized technical expert in wastewater treatment processes, with deep experience in planning, design, and implementation of municipal treatment systems, including biological processes.
• Review and oversee technical deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, and adherence to industry standards and client expectations.
• Support the Project Manager and/or directly manage the financial and technical delivery of project tasks including scope, schedule, and budget.
• Serve as a technical resource for complex wastewater treatment processes, providing process expertise from planning and pilot studies through design, construction and startup.
• Prepare and deliver presentations to internal and/or external clients/professional societies and participate in committees and other external leadership opportunities…