Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs in California
Wastewater Treatment Engineer jobs in California represent one of the most active markets in the country, concentrated in municipal utilities, water districts, and environmental consulting firms, with openings at every level from entry-level process engineer through senior project engineer and principal. The heaviest hiring is in the Los Angeles, Sacramento, and San Francisco Bay Area metros, where large employers like AECOM, Black & Veatch, and the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power maintain sustained operations. The most in-demand specialties include nutrient removal process design, recycled water facility engineering, and regulatory compliance under California's Title 22 water reuse standards. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Veolia in North America is the top-ranked environmental company in the United States for three consecutive years, and the country’s largest private water operator and technology provider as well as hazardous waste and pollution treatment leader. It offers a full spectrum of water, waste, and energy management services, including water and wastewater treatment, commercial and hazardous waste collection and disposal, energy consulting and resource recovery. Veolia helps commercial, industrial, healthcare, higher education and municipality customers throughout North America. Headquartered in Boston, Veolia has more than 10,000 employees working at more than 350 locations across North America.
Job Description
Position Purpose:
The Operator II maintains water/wastewater treatment, processing, disposal and testing equipment in water/wastewater treatment facilities to purify water to meet permit and operational requirements.
Primary Duties/Responsibilities:
- Monitor operating conditions, meters, and gauges.
- Collect and test water and sewage samples.
- Record meter and gauge readings and operational data.
- Operate equipment to purify and clarify water or to process or dispose of waste.
- Clean and maintain equipment, tanks, filter beds, and other work areas.
- Inspect all equipment on a regular basis.
- Follow U.S. Environmental Protection Agency regulations.
- Ensure safety standards are met.
Work Environment:
- Spends 100% of the time in operations environment.
- May need to work outside in inclement weather conditions and drive company vehicle to perform duties.
- Possible Work Hazards: May be exposed to possible operations hazards including fumes, toxic and caustic chemicals, heavy machinery, high pressure, hot or cold work environment temperatures, slippery surfaces, water hazards and electrical equipment.
Qualifications
Education/Experience/Background:
- High School Diploma or GED with the ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally (operational, process, safety and quality instructions).
- Associate's degree in a science or technical area strongly preferred.
- Two to five years of experience in a related position and environment with knowledge of the methods, techniques, and practices of water/wastewater treatment.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities:
- Must have the ability to perform basic math equations.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in the care and use of all site specific, facility required PPE (Personal Protection Equipment), including respirators, gas detectors, confined space equipment, etc.)
- Must consistently demonstrate the ability to operate assigned machines and equipment meeting or exceeding processing and quality targets under general supervision.
- Must demonstrate ability to efficiently operate equipment such as pumps, engines, centrifuge, generators, valves, gates, mixers, conveyors, blowers, dryers, chemical feed, odor control, disinfection equipment, sludge processing filters, belt presses, and measuring/control devices, testing equipment and material handling equipment.
- Must have the ability to diagnose process and mechanical problems in single or multiple unit processes, troubleshoot basic equipment and take corrective action within policy and procedure limitations.
- Must demonstrate a working ability to use computer programs for process control.
- Must demonstrate ability to work in a team environment and willingness to assume additional or new responsibilities readily.
- Must be able to pass a drug screen and criminal background check.
- Must be able to respond to emergency calls as needed and work extended hours to accommodate site needs.
Required Certification/Licenses/Training:
- Typically holds or is working toward an intermediate level water and/or wastewater treatment certificate. (Requires minimum water/wastewater license as required by regulatory agencies at the site).
- Must possess a valid driver's license and a safe driving record.
Physical Requirements:
- Amount of time spent – Standing 25%, Walking 75% for as many as five miles per shift.
- While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach with hands and arms; and talk or hear.
- The employee is occasionally required to stoop, kneel, or crouch and enter confined spaces.
- May be required to use ladders or stairs.
- The employee must lift and/or move up to 50 pounds (occasionally 60 pounds).
- Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, and ability to adjust focus. Requires close visual observation to detect process non-conformance and machine malfunction.
Additional Information
Pay Range: $43.00 to $50.00 per hour.
Benefits: Veolia’s comprehensive benefits package includes paid time off policies, as well as health, dental, vision, life insurance, savings accounts, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteering and more. In addition, employees are also entitled to participate in an employer sponsored 401(k) plan, to save for retirement.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer! All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.
Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Wastewater Treatment Engineer Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in wastewater treatment engineer jobs across California.
- Active California Professional Engineer license or eligibility to obtain one
- Bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering from an accredited program
- Experience with wastewater treatment process design, operations, or facility planning
- Familiarity with California State Water Resources Control Board regulations and NPDES permitting
- Proficiency with engineering design software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or process modeling tools
- Strong written communication skills for technical reports and regulatory agency correspondence
Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a wastewater treatment engineer in California?
You need a bachelor's degree in civil, environmental, or chemical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, followed by licensure through the California Board for Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, and Geologists. The path runs from the Fundamentals of Engineering exam to the Professional Engineer exam after gaining qualifying experience. Many California water agencies and consulting firms also value familiarity with State Water Resources Control Board permitting requirements, which you can build through junior engineering or associate engineer roles at municipal utilities.
How much do wastewater treatment engineers make in California?
Wastewater treatment engineers in California earn a median of about $122,500 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $77,980 for the lowest 10% to over $175,940 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire wastewater treatment engineers in California?
Employers hiring wastewater treatment engineers in California right now include Kennedy/Jenks Consultants, Veolia, and City of Oxnard, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's extensive network of municipal water agencies, regional sanitation districts, and environmental engineering consultancies means consistent hiring activity across both the public and private sectors.
Which California cities have the most wastewater treatment engineer jobs?
Vista, Colusa, and Oxnard post the most wastewater treatment engineer openings in California, driven by the scale of their municipal utility systems, the concentration of environmental engineering consulting firms, and ongoing capital improvement programs at regional sanitation districts serving large metropolitan populations.
Are there remote wastewater treatment engineer jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 75% of wastewater treatment engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the hands-on nature of most roles. The portions most likely to allow remote work are planning studies, hydraulic modeling, and report writing phases of larger infrastructure projects.
How can I get hired as a wastewater treatment engineer in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is an associate engineer or junior engineer role at a California municipal water or sanitation agency, where structured programs at employers like the Los Angeles County Sanitation Districts and the Sacramento Regional County Sanitation District bring in new graduates under supervising professional engineers. Internships with large environmental consulting firms are also a strong foothold. Passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before you graduate gives you a concrete credential that distinguishes you immediately in California applications.
Where can I find and apply to wastewater treatment engineer jobs in California?
You can find and apply to wastewater treatment engineer jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings. Find roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 14 Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs in California
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