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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Overview
We are seeking an experienced and driven Construction Manager – Wastewater Treatment / Process Mechanical to support a large‑scale, high‑technology construction project. This position is fully site‑based and offers the opportunity to lead complex mechanical and Wastewater Treatment systems from planning through commissioning.
The Construction Manager will work closely with the Project Manager, design professionals, subcontractors, vendors, and field teams to ensure safe, compliant, and efficient execution of process mechanical scope. This role plays a critical part in delivering advanced infrastructure within high‑tech manufacturing and water treatment environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead planning, execution, and oversight of construction activities related to Wastewater Treatment systems and process mechanical installations.
- Oversee daily onsite work performed by process mechanical and wastewater treatment subcontractors to ensure schedule adherence, quality, and safety compliance.
- Coordinate installation, startup, and commissioning activities across process mechanical and electrical systems.
- Verify construction completion and documentation readiness prior to system startup.
- Develop and maintain detailed construction schedules using Primavera P6 or similar tools.
- Coordinate MEP systems with civil, architectural, and structural disciplines.
- Review and interpret drawings, schematics, specifications, and technical documentation.
- Conduct field inspections to monitor progress, quality, and adherence to safety protocols.
- Utilize Procore, Bluebeam, or similar platforms for planning, reporting, documentation, and communication.
- Facilitate project meetings for coordination, progress updates, risk mitigation, and startup planning.
- Support estimating efforts, budgeting, forecasting, and process mechanical subcontractor procurement.
- Manage mechanical subcontractor contracts, modifications, and change orders.
- Organize and support training of client personnel on system operations and maintenance.
- Serve as a technical advisor within the onsite construction office.
Required Experience:
QualificationsTechnical & Professional Experience
- Minimum 5 years of mechanical construction experience
- Proven experience on industrial, high‑tech, or semiconductor manufacturing projects.
- Experience working in live or operational high‑tech facilities.
- Strong understanding of process mechanical systems, wastewater treatment systems, and low‑voltage electrical construction.
Demonstrated experience with:
- Construction estimating and budget oversight.
- Project scheduling (Primavera P6 or similar).
- Contract and subcontractor administration.
Hands‑on experience using:
- Procore, Bluebeam.
- Microsoft Project and/or Primavera P6.
- Familiarity with AutoCAD, Revit and Navisworks preferred.
- Strong ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams under tight schedules and budgets.
Education
- High School Diploma or GED required.
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field (or equivalent field experience).
- Background in construction materials and methods required.
Skills & Competencies
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Strong organizational, time‑management, and multitasking abilities.
- Ability to thrive in high‑pressure, fast‑paced construction environments.
- Professional, collaborative approach with trades, clients, engineers, and leadership.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office 365 (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams).
- Flexible schedule to support extended hours or off‑shift work as construction schedules require.
Physical & Mental Requirements
- Work involves a combination of standing, walking, sitting, and moving throughout the project site.
- Ability to climb ladders, scaffolds, and stairs and work at heights or in confined spaces.
- Frequent use of hands, arms, and legs to operate tools, equipment, and office machinery.
- Ability to lift or maneuver up to 50 lbs, carrying or pushing materials up to 50–100 feet.
- Frequent bending, twisting, kneeling, crouching, and crawling for inspections
- Visual acuity required for reading plans, analyzing data, viewing computer screens, and operating vehicles.
- Ability to work around loud equipment and wear required hearing protection.
- Must be able to communicate construction plans, safety protocols, and technical direction clearly in English.
- Requires sound judgment, independent decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills.
Employment Conditions
- Candidates must be able to pass a client‑required drug and alcohol screening.
- All qualified applicants will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, or any other status protected by applicable law.
- Employment consideration is based on qualifications, education, and relevant project experience.
- Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Pay: $90,000.00 - $150,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
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Find JobsWastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs by City in California
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, GFT, and AQUANIX, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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?
Fresno, Oxnard, and Monterey 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 73% of wastewater treatment engineer openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 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 15 Wastewater Treatment Engineer Jobs in California
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