Engineer (P.E.)

Salary : $142,977.12 - $192,289.76 Annually
Location : Kearny Mesa, CA
Job Type: Full Time
Job Number: 2026-10-1303
Department: Engineering
Opening Date: 10/16/2026
Closing Date: 11/8/2026 11:59 PM Pacific

The Position
The Engineer (P.E.) participates in the conduct of difficult and technical engineering projects, conducts engineering analyses, and performs research, planning, and design work for various capital construction and maintenance or improvement programs.
This position will lead the daily development and technical execution of Water Authority CIP projects, performing professional-level engineering planning, analysis, and calculations required for water facility design and construction administration. Responsibilities include managing small to medium-sized projects, encompassing project budgeting, scheduling, oversight of team members' work, and maintaining communication with member agencies, stakeholders, and management.
The Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will have experience in engineering design and construction support, specifically developing plans and specifications for water conveyance infrastructure, from preliminary to final design. The desired experience includes in depth understanding of pipeline hydraulics, and leading technical tasks and managing project budgets and schedules. They will also excel in providing comprehensive scheduling support for the Capital Improvement Program (CIP).

The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills, adapt well to shifting priorities and tight deadlines, and quickly grasp complex issues. Strong written and verbal communication skills are essential. Additionally, the candidate will thrive in team settings, demonstrate reliability, and engage in professional and respectful feedback exchanges with colleagues.
Distinguishing Characteristics
Engineer (P.E.) is the skilled, journey-level class in the professional engineering series. Incumbents independently perform a variety of engineering activities that involve evaluating, selecting and applying difficult engineering techniques and processes in the design and construction of Water Authority pipelines and facilities.
Representative Duties

The duties listed below are intended only as illustrations of the various types of work that may be performed. The omission of specific statements of duties does not exclude them from the position if the work is similar, related or a logical assignment to the class.

• Serves as project manager on small- to medium-sized CIP projects or as project engineer on large projects.
• Performs engineering planning, analysis and design for Water Authority capital construction and improvement programs.
• Writes engineering specifications, prepares preliminary and final engineering design plans and reports for Water Authority projects.
• Reviews and evaluates design parameters of pipelines and flow control facilities.
• Performs hydraulic calculations, modeling, gradient analysis, aqueduct system analysis, pipeline design calculations and stress analysis.
• Formulates instructions for technical staff and interns.
• Reviews shop drawings and contractor submittals for conformance with construction specifications.
• Prepares cost estimates and professional service RFPs; assists in evaluating and selecting consultants; negotiates and administers agreements for design, construction management, inspection and other specialty services; reviews drawings and specifications for compliance with standards; interprets specifications and Water Authority policies and initiates or reviews change orders; prepares periodic project status reports.
• Represents Water Authority with consultants and contractors; prepares correspondence on technical engineering issues; coordinates project engineering planning, design, and construction activities with Water Authority departments, member agencies and other entities; interprets applicable laws, regulations, policies and design standards; drafts construction contract documents; coordinates and responds to requests for information from contractors; negotiates change orders and obtains Water Authority approval for contract changes.
• Represents the Water Authority on assigned committees; assists with budget development and operational or maintenance issues that arise throughout the year.
• Analyzes and responds to requests for information from member agencies, other public entities and the public; represents the Water Authority at meetings.
• Develops project budgets and schedules; tracks, evaluates and prepares reports and presentations on design and construction project progress; drafts engineering correspondence, interoffice memoranda, and bid documents; collects supporting data for EIR and administrative reports; performs special engineering studies.
• Monitors and evaluates construction work in progress, site investigations, to ensure compliance with budget, approved plans, specifications and material standards.
• Inspects and evaluates existing Water Authority facilities, structures, and/or pipelines.

For further details regarding the duties and responsibilities, and qualification guidelines for this class specification, please click on the following link: Engineer (P.E.)
Work Schedule:
Employees assigned to work at the Kearny Mesa office work a 9/80 schedule, where the entire facility is closed every other Friday. An option to telework up to one day bi-weekly is available for this position. Employees authorized to telework must be able to report to Water Authority facilities as needed, depending on the operational needs of the department and/or area of assignment.
Qualification Guidelines
The qualification guidelines generally describe the knowledge and ability required to enter the job in order to successfully perform the assigned duties. Any combination of experience and training that would provide the required knowledge, skills and abilities will be considered.

A Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a degree in civil engineering or related field supplemented by six years of professional engineering experience, including experience in public water/utility design and construction, and two years of experience at the level of the Water Authority's Engineer II class.

Licenses and Other Requirements

• A valid certificate of registration as a Professional Engineer issued by the State of California.
• A valid California driver's license and the ability to maintain insurability under the Water Authority's Vehicle Insurance Policy.

Application Procedure
To be considered for this position, please submit an employment application and supplemental questionnaire by Sunday, November 8, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. Resumes will not be accepted in lieu of a completed application and supplemental questionnaire.
All applications and supplemental questionnaires will be evaluated in relation to the criteria outlined in this job announcement. The selection process may consist of an appraisal interview, writing exercise, and/or other appropriate screening devices.

Tentative Exam Schedule
Application Deadline: 11/08/2026
Written Exam: 11/18/2026
Tentative Interview Date: Week of 12/07/2026
To ensure timely and successful navigation, please consider applying early if you are new to the governmentjobs.com application system. For technical assistance with the online application system, please review the Government Jobs online application guide, or contact their toll-free applicant support line at (855) 524-5627. If you have questions regarding the position, please contact Patricia Duran, Senior Human Resources Analyst, at (858) 522-6663.
Health Insurance: The Water Authority four employee health plan options, inclusive of dental and vision. Currently, the "basic" plans are the Kaiser HMO plan and Aetna Value Network HMO, and the "premium" plans are the Aetna Full Network HMO and PPO Healthcare plans. All medical plans feature a chiropractic benefit. Employees and eligible dependents are covered through Aetna Dental for dental services, and Aetna for vision services. The Water Authority pays 100% of the monthly premiums for full-time employees and their dependents for the basic plans, inclusive of dental and vision. Employees pay 50% of the cost that exceeds the "basic" medical plan Kaiser family coverage premium. All health benefits are effective on the first of the month following date of hire. Employees who waive Water Authority medical, dental, and vision benefits receive $41.66 per month, deposited into a Flexible Spending Account (Healthcare or Dependent Care) and $42.33 per month deposited into the deferred compensation plan.

Retirement: All regular Water Authority employees are members of the California Public Employees' Retirement System (CalPERS). Employees are enrolled in one of the following retirement formulas based on date of hire. Additional benefits are provided in accordance with the Water Authority's CalPERS contract.

Classic (Hired on or before December 31, 2012)

• 2.5% @ 55
• 8.0% Employee Contribution
• 1 Year Final Compensation Period

New Members (Hired on or after January 1, 2013)

• 2% @ 62
• 7.75% Employee Contribution
• 3 Year Final Compensation Period

*Membership Category - CalPERS will identify each new member as either a "Classic" or a "New" member of the system based on the prior work history of the individual.

Classic Member: New employees who are current members of CalPERS or an agency with CalPERS' reciprocity, or who have less than a six month break in service between employment in a CalPERS (or reciprocal) agency and employment with the Water Authority will be enrolled in the 2.5% @ 55 benefit formula and contribute 8% of salary to CalPERS. CalPERS contract provisions for "Classic" members include:

1. Employer-Paid Member Contribution (EPMC): The Water Authority pays 7% of the employee's share of retirement contribution