Sr. Water Quality Engineer

Overview

Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) is seeking a Senior Water Quality Engineer to protect and enhance Seattle's drinking water for more than a million people. In this role, SPU's technical leader will drive treatment strategy, system performance improvements, and data‑informed decision‑making across the entire drinking water system. You will work closely with operators, engineers, planners, and project teams to bring expert insight to daily operations, major capital initiatives, and emergency response.

Reporting to the Water Quality Engineering Supervisor, this position offers the chance to shape citywide outcomes, solve critical water quality issues, and help ensure Seattle’s drinking water remains among the best in the nation.

• Drinking Water Treatment Engineering: Plans, designs, and supports operations for water treatment and related systems. Troubleshoots and optimizes processes, prepares asset and operational plans, and manages projects and consultant/contractor work.
• Water Quality Coordination: Works closely with SPU staff to assess and manage drinking water quality issues. Oversees contract operations at the Cedar Treatment Facility and provides expert support for planning and rapid response to water quality emergencies.
• System‑wide Water Quality Management: Acts as a subject‑matter expert across the source‑to‑distribution systems. Interprets water quality data, develops and implements plans, advises staff and leadership, and ensures public health protection, regulatory compliance, and customer confidence.
• Regulatory Compliance & Reporting: Interprets and applies drinking water regulations, evaluates water quality data, and develops required compliance plans and reports.
• Project Support & Standards: Guides capital and major maintenance projects with drinking water quality expertise. Manages water quality and treatment initiatives. Oversees sanitary practices and sets technical standards for staff and contractors.
• Communication: Explains complex water quality, treatment, and regulatory information clearly to staff, leadership, wholesale customers, and the public during both routine operations and critical events.
• Work Expectations: Operates independently and collaboratively within a small engineering team. Engages with groups throughout the utility, leads technical efforts, anticipates needs, drives solutions, and upholds water quality standards while navigating operational constraints.

• Strong foundation in water chemistry, laboratory analysis, limnology, process engineering, and physical, chemical, & biological water treatment processes.
• Knowledge and experience with large surface water treatment facilities and processes such as filtration, ozone, and UV.
• Demonstrated engineering design experience for water treatment systems.
• Strong working knowledge of drinking water regulations, health risk concepts, water quality protection, and engineering hydraulics.
• Proven ability to lead teams, make sound technical decisions, and manage consultant and contractor work.
• Ability to work effectively within SPU’s values and expectations, and to collaborate in a multicultural workforce serving diverse communities.

• Certification as a Professional Engineer by the State of Washington or current eligibility to be licensed in the State of Washington.
• Current Washington State driver’s license or evidence of equivalent mobility.

• Most work is performed in a normal City work/office environment on a hybrid work schedule.
• Field assignments entail exposure to all types of weather, traffic, hazardous/toxic substances and work in or near industrial facilities and construction sites.

This position allows for the flexibility of a hybrid work schedule. City employees will have the option to work remotely two days a week. Individual schedules will be agreed upon by the employee and their supervisor.

• Family‑friendly and multicultural work environment.
• Generous benefits package.
• Free Orca Pass.
• City pension plan with employer/employee contributions.
• Growth potential and advancement opportunities.

The full salary…