Senior Engineer – Limited Term

Senior Engineer

This Senior Engineer position will serve as the lead engineer for assigned critical flood protection projects, providing overall project management through planning studies, coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers as needed, design and preparation of construction documents, support during construction, and project closeout. The selected candidate will direct the in-house design team and consultants and work closely with the USACE and other project partners to develop and deliver the planning studies and construction documents required to advance projects to construction.

With the recent strategic prioritization of the Watershed Capital Program, this role will be instrumental in ensuring projects remain on track by coordinating design efforts, managing project risks, and maintaining alignment with project objectives. The Senior Engineer will oversee the successful execution of design deliverables, support construction-phase services, and guide projects through completion and closeout.

The position will provide leadership across a multidisciplinary team and serve as a key liaison among internal and external stakeholders, regulatory agencies, the USACE, and partner organizations to facilitate collaboration, resolve issues, and support the timely delivery of projects.

Our Commitment:
We are committed to building and sustaining a working environment where all individuals are respected and valued. We believe every member of our team brings unique perspectives that enhance our ability to serve the public effectively. By fostering a workplace with employees from the communities we serve, we broaden our collective understanding of the world around us and strengthen our mission to equitably provide safe, clean water, natural flood protections, and environmental stewardship.

About Valley Water:
Valley Water's mission is to provide Santa Clara County with safe, clean water for a healthy life, environment, and economy. The FY 2026-27 Adopted Budget of $1.284 billion supports approximately 876 employees. With headquarters in San José, Valley Water provides water supply, enhances streams and watersheds through creek restoration and habitat protection, provides flood protection for homes, schools, businesses and roadways, and partners with other agencies to provide trails and open space for the community.

Key Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Leads the in-house project team responsible for planning, design, execution, and implementation of assigned projects. Directs and supervises daily project management activities, ensuring effective coordination, timely delivery, adherence to project objectives, and successful completion of project milestones.
• Coordinates and facilitates meetings with project teams and cross-functional Valley Water units and divisions to support project planning, execution, and stakeholder alignment.
• Manage cost-sharing, operations and maintenance, and other project-related agreements.
• Review and preparation of engineering reports, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and other technical documents.
• Oversees plan document compliance and ensures contractors perform work in accordance with contract requirements, specifications, and project standards.
• Construction support and contract administration by reviewing requests for information (RFIs), submittals, and potential change order items.

Ideal Candidate's Background Includes:

Applicants whose experience and background best match the ideal experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and education are considered ideal candidates for the position. To determine the top candidates, each applicant will be assessed based on the ideal candidate criteria as listed below.

Ideal

Experience:

• Six (6) years of professional engineering experience in flood protection, including at least two (2) years of lead responsibility.
• Professional experience in civil engineering; structural engineering is a plus.

Ideal

Skills and Abilities:

• Planning, design and construction of infrastructure projects, especially of flood control/protection projects.
• General civil and/or structural engineering experience including but not limited to bridges, retaining walls, levees, slope stability structures, and other flood control structures.
• Strong familiarity with hydrology and open channel and/or closed conduit hydraulics.
• Preparing engineering studies, reports, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and design calculations.
• Post design construction support services including construction field observation, construction administration and construction management.
• Project management and multi-objective projects.
• Public correspondence/communication and technical writing.
• Deliver complex, technical, and sensitive engineering projects and programs in an independent and cooperative manner.
• Read, prepare, review, and interpret engineering plans, drawings, specifications, and contract documents.
• Apply structural engineering principles and computer programs to resolve engineering…