Green Card Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs
Wastewater Treatment Engineer roles qualify for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process, which requires employers to document that no qualified U.S. worker is available. Municipal utilities, environmental engineering firms, and water authorities regularly file I-140 petitions for these positions, making employer-sponsored permanent residency a realistic path for foreign professionals in this field.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
HDR is seeking a motivated problem solver to serve as a Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Specialist for our Texas Gulf area in the South Central Region. In this role, you will work with both municipal and industrial water and wastewater clients to solve water quality, treatment, compliance, and operations challenges. Projects can range from small municipalities to large municipalities and several types of industrial clients. Our engineering staff partner with our senior specialists to create solutions that enhance reliability and improve operability for our clients.
You will not only be a part of our Texas Gulf area team, you will play a key role in collaborating with staff for these types of services across the South Central region. You will also have the opportunity to connect with our national Operations Team and serve as a connection point to bring expertise to the area and region. This team is made up of other experienced maintenance and operations experts, and coordinate to share best practices, experience, and opportunities to utilize every team member’s unique expertise.
At HDR, we know work isn’t only about who you work for; it’s also about what you do and how you do it. Led by the strength of our values and a culture shaped by employee ownership, we network with each other, build on each other’s contributions, and collaborate together to make great things possible. When you join HDR, we give you license to do the same. We help you take charge of your career, giving you multiple growth opportunities along the way.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In the role of Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Specialist, we'll count on you to:
- Support HDR project leaders in the Tx Gulf area and South Central Region with water and wastewater process and treatment projects
- Serve as technical leader, advisor, quality reviewer for water quality related studies and assessments, including regulatory compliance reviews, process / water quality evaluations, and testing programs
- Support Utility Management Services related projects (i.e., condition assessment, process performance assessment, master / facility planning, asset management)
- Manage operations and maintenance projects with both municipal and industrial clients. This may include client interfacing, regulatory reporting, as well as personnel, subcontractor, and maintenance management
- Develop startup and commissioning plans and host workshops to share those ideas with client’s contractors and operators to confirm the plan will work for the specific plant
- Perform startup and commissioning of new water and wastewater treatment facilities. This work involves you playing a key role in working alongside contractors and engineers to ensure the new equipment functions correctly before handing it over to the operations and maintenance staff
- Perform formal and informal training to help our clients’ treatment plants operate as well as they can operate
- Participate in the testing of facilities to ensure they are ready for startup and after startup they meet the capacity requirements of the design
- Perform condition assessment and asset management tasks on water and wastewater facilities, using state of the art evaluation tools to efficiently capture the information and opinions that you generate
- Perform operational or maintenance troubleshooting and evaluations on municipal and industrial water facilities
- Engage client development activities with area Water Business Group leaders and Client Service Leaders
- Collaborate with area leadership to develop market sector growth strategies and identify and recruit potential additional team members to support overall growth of our drinking water and wastewater market sectors in the Corpus Cristi and Texas Gulf area
- Support marketing activities for opportunity pursuit; identify potential opportunities
- Participate in professional organizations
- Work closely with the project staff to prepare project deliverables including reports, and other technical documents
- In collaboration with Water Business Group Manager, Business Class Leads, and Project Managers, coordinate and adjust staffing to confirm the work is completed within the parameters of the agreed to schedule and budget
- Produce and coordinate several projects concurrently
- Perform other duties as needed
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate's degree in engineering or related field of study or equivalent work experience
- A minimum of 15 years of engineering experience in the discipline to be supported
- Aptitude and demonstrated hands-on experience with computer applications specific to the discipline to be supported
- Extensive knowledge of industry standards specific to the discipline being supported
- Proven ability to work in multi-disciplinary environments
- Proficient with Microsoft Office
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in engineering
- Minimum 10 years field experience in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment at water and wastewater treatment facilities and/or resolving water treatment process problems. Additional construction experience is a plus
- High level water and/or wastewater treatment operator license or professional engineering license
- Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications
- Microsoft Office product and computerized maintenance and management systems experience required
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
- Valid driver’s license
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
LOCATION
Location: United States-Texas-Corpus Christi
INDUSTRY
Industry: Water
SCHEDULE
Schedule: Full-time
EMPLOYEE STATUS
Employee Status: Regular
JOB POSTING
Job Posting: Oct 22, 2026
INTRODUCTION
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
HDR is seeking a motivated problem solver to serve as a Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Specialist for our Texas Gulf area in the South Central Region. In this role, you will work with both municipal and industrial water and wastewater clients to solve water quality, treatment, compliance, and operations challenges. Projects can range from small municipalities to large municipalities and several types of industrial clients. Our engineering staff partner with our senior specialists to create solutions that enhance reliability and improve operability for our clients.
You will not only be a part of our Texas Gulf area team, you will play a key role in collaborating with staff for these types of services across the South Central region. You will also have the opportunity to connect with our national Operations Team and serve as a connection point to bring expertise to the area and region. This team is made up of other experienced maintenance and operations experts, and coordinate to share best practices, experience, and opportunities to utilize every team member’s unique expertise.
At HDR, we know work isn’t only about who you work for; it’s also about what you do and how you do it. Led by the strength of our values and a culture shaped by employee ownership, we network with each other, build on each other’s contributions, and collaborate together to make great things possible. When you join HDR, we give you license to do the same. We help you take charge of your career, giving you multiple growth opportunities along the way.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
In the role of Senior Water and Wastewater Treatment Specialist, we'll count on you to:
- Support HDR project leaders in the Tx Gulf area and South Central Region with water and wastewater process and treatment projects
- Serve as technical leader, advisor, quality reviewer for water quality related studies and assessments, including regulatory compliance reviews, process / water quality evaluations, and testing programs
- Support Utility Management Services related projects (i.e., condition assessment, process performance assessment, master / facility planning, asset management)
- Manage operations and maintenance projects with both municipal and industrial clients. This may include client interfacing, regulatory reporting, as well as personnel, subcontractor, and maintenance management
- Develop startup and commissioning plans and host workshops to share those ideas with client’s contractors and operators to confirm the plan will work for the specific plant
- Perform startup and commissioning of new water and wastewater treatment facilities. This work involves you playing a key role in working alongside contractors and engineers to ensure the new equipment functions correctly before handing it over to the operations and maintenance staff
- Perform formal and informal training to help our clients’ treatment plants operate as well as they can operate
- Participate in the testing of facilities to ensure they are ready for startup and after startup they meet the capacity requirements of the design
- Perform condition assessment and asset management tasks on water and wastewater facilities, using state of the art evaluation tools to efficiently capture the information and opinions that you generate
- Perform operational or maintenance troubleshooting and evaluations on municipal and industrial water facilities
- Engage client development activities with area Water Business Group leaders and Client Service Leaders
- Collaborate with area leadership to develop market sector growth strategies and identify and recruit potential additional team members to support overall growth of our drinking water and wastewater market sectors in the Corpus Cristi and Texas Gulf area
- Support marketing activities for opportunity pursuit; identify potential opportunities
- Participate in professional organizations
- Work closely with the project staff to prepare project deliverables including reports, and other technical documents
- In collaboration with Water Business Group Manager, Business Class Leads, and Project Managers, coordinate and adjust staffing to confirm the work is completed within the parameters of the agreed to schedule and budget
- Produce and coordinate several projects concurrently
- Perform other duties as needed
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Associate's degree in engineering or related field of study or equivalent work experience
- A minimum of 15 years of engineering experience in the discipline to be supported
- Aptitude and demonstrated hands-on experience with computer applications specific to the discipline to be supported
- Extensive knowledge of industry standards specific to the discipline being supported
- Proven ability to work in multi-disciplinary environments
- Proficient with Microsoft Office
- Excellent verbal and written communication skills
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in engineering
- Minimum 10 years field experience in troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment at water and wastewater treatment facilities and/or resolving water treatment process problems. Additional construction experience is a plus
- High level water and/or wastewater treatment operator license or professional engineering license
- Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications
- Microsoft Office product and computerized maintenance and management systems experience required
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
- Valid driver’s license
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
LOCATION
Location: United States-Texas-Corpus Christi
INDUSTRY
Industry: Water
SCHEDULE
Schedule: Full-time
EMPLOYEE STATUS
Employee Status: Regular
JOB POSTING
Job Posting: Oct 22, 2026
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Wastewater Treatment Engineer
Translate your credentials into PERM-ready documentation
Before targeting employers, get your foreign engineering degree evaluated by a NACES-accredited credential evaluation service. PERM requires your qualifications to meet the job's stated minimum requirements, and a formal equivalency report removes a common stumbling block for hiring managers unfamiliar with international engineering programs.
Target employers with active PERM filing histories
Focus your search on municipal utilities, regional water authorities, and environmental engineering firms that have filed PERM applications for engineering roles before. Use Migrate Mate to filter for employers with documented green card sponsorship history in the water and wastewater sector, cutting out guesswork.
Understand how EB-3 differs from H-1B for this role
Unlike H-1B visa, EB-3 sponsorship has no annual lottery and leads to permanent residency. The trade-off is timeline: PERM, I-140, and adjustment of status can take two to four years for most nationalities, so start conversations with employers early and treat sponsorship as a long-term commitment, not a quick transfer.
Verify the prevailing wage tier before accepting an offer
Your employer must certify your offered wage meets DOL's prevailing wage for your specific location and job duties. Check the OFLC Wage Search yourself using your actual job title and county before negotiating, so you can confirm the offer is PERM-eligible and avoid delays after filing begins.
Ask employers about their E-Verify enrollment upfront
PERM sponsors must be legitimate U.S. employers in good standing. During interviews, ask whether the organization is enrolled in E-Verify and whether they have in-house immigration counsel or use an outside firm. Employers without established processes are more likely to stall or abandon sponsorship mid-process.
Align your PE license or EIT status with EB-2 eligibility
If you hold a Professional Engineer license or have substantial wastewater project management experience, your role may qualify for EB-2 rather than EB-3, potentially shortening your wait time for nationals of oversubscribed countries. Use O*NET to identify which duties in your offer letter map to advanced-degree professional requirements under USCIS standards.
Green Card Wastewater Treatment Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Wastewater Treatment Engineer role qualify for EB-2 or EB-3 green card sponsorship?
Both categories apply depending on the position's requirements. EB-3 covers roles requiring a bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering. EB-2 applies when the job requires an advanced degree or when you can demonstrate specialized credentials that go beyond the standard requirements, such as a master's degree, a Professional Engineer license, or extensive project leadership experience.
How does PERM green card sponsorship differ from H-1B for this role?
H-1B is a temporary work visa requiring annual lottery selection and capped at 85,000 slots per fiscal year. PERM-based green card sponsorship has no lottery and leads to permanent residency. The process is longer, typically taking two to four or more years from PERM filing through adjustment of status, but it's not subject to annual cap pressure at the EB-3 level for most nationalities.
Which types of employers are most likely to sponsor green cards for Wastewater Treatment Engineers?
Municipal water and wastewater utilities, county and regional sanitation districts, and mid-to-large environmental engineering consulting firms are the most active green card sponsors for this role. These employers have recurring hiring needs, established immigration processes, and budget structures that accommodate multi-year sponsorship commitments. Use Migrate Mate to identify which employers have an active sponsorship history in the water and wastewater sector.
What documents should I prepare before a Wastewater Treatment Engineer PERM sponsorship begins?
You'll need a credential evaluation of your foreign engineering degree from a NACES-member evaluator, copies of your transcripts, and documentation of any PE licensure or professional certifications. If you have prior U.S. work experience, gather W-2s and employment verification letters. Your employer's attorney will need these to establish that your qualifications meet the PERM-required minimum requirements for the advertised position.
Can I work for a different employer while my green card is in process?
Once your I-140 petition is approved and your priority date becomes current, AC21 portability lets you transfer to a different employer in the same or similar occupational classification without losing your place in the green card queue. For wastewater engineering, roles in environmental or civil engineering typically qualify as same or similar under USCIS guidelines, giving you more flexibility than many applicants realize. Search for sponsoring employers on Migrate Mate to find positions already aligned with your priority date category.