Process Engineer (Engineer V)

Fairfax County, VA

$97K — $162K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering or architecture from an accredited institution.
  • 5+ years of professional experience in engineering or architectural fields, with 1 year in a supervisory role.
  • Valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license required; temporary exemptions available for out-of-state candidates.
  • Class I Virginia DPOR Wastewater license must be obtained within 24 months of hire.
  • Strong analytical problem-solving skills and ability to communicate effectively.

Responsibilities

  • Perform engineering analysis and troubleshooting for wastewater treatment processes.
  • Manage regulatory compliance programs and monitor environmental regulations.
  • Collaborate with operational teams to implement process improvements.
  • Conduct research to innovate and enhance treatment performance.
  • Support facility programs and oversee capital improvement projects.

Benefits

  • $5,000 sign-on bonus for new employees in the Engineer V position.
  • Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and life insurance.
  • Defined-benefit retirement plan and flexible spending programs.
  • Paid leave options including annual, sick, and parental leave.
  • Continuous learning and development opportunities.
Full Job Description
Salary : $97,582.37 - $162,638.32 Annually
Location : WASTEWATER TREATMENT DIV, 9399 RICHMOND HWY, LORTON (JP04), VA
Job Type: FT Salary W BN
Job Number: 26-00894
Department: DPWES Wastewater Management
Opening Date: 06/20/2026
Closing Date: 7/3/2026 11:59 PM Eastern
Pay Grade: S32
Posting Type: Open to General Public

Job Announcement

$5,000 Sign-On Bonus*
Are you energized by complex engineering challenges and the chance to shape the future of sustainable water treatment? Become part of the award-winning team operating one of the most advanced water recycling facilities in the country.

The plant is seeking an engineer with a passion for the environment to perform engineering support across multiple discipline areas, including regulatory compliance, process support, and project management. This position will work with a variety of disciplines and backgrounds both in the office and in the field.

Primary duties include:
  • Performs engineering analysis, daily and long-term process monitoring, troubleshooting, and optimization to ensure efficient and compliant operations, and works closely with the operation and maintenance group to implement process recommendation. Conducts research and innovation to improve treatment performance and efficiency;
  • Manages regulatory compliance program which includes regulation monitoring, planning and implementing compliance strategies, regulatory reporting and records keeping for various environmental permits including water, biosolids, air and stormwater;
  • Supports other engineering functions including facility programs and capital improvement program.
The successful applicant will possess:
  • Collaborative relationship building skills: builds trust and works effectively across all levels and disciplines, demonstrating excellent verbal and written communication skills.
  • Analytical problem-solving skills: applies strong critical thinking to assess complex issues, navigate sensitive situations, and provide sound, well-reasoned guidance.
  • Professional presence & productivity: maintains a steady, solutions focused demeanor with sound judgment and discretion, while delivering high quality work quickly and consistently.
  • Organizational agility: adapts seamlessly to fast paced, rapidly changing needs with exceptional attention to detail, initiative, accuracy, and follow through

Benefits:
  • Join Fairfax County, a stable work environment in an organization that values diversity, inclusion, innovation, and a team that focuses on maximizing advancement opportunities.
  • Fairfax County Government is committed to our employees, and offers comprehensive benefits, including a defined-benefit retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; paid leave; tuition reimbursement; and reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

Through our LiveWell Program and the County Benefits Division, we endeavor to cultivate a culture of wellbeing that empowers, educates and engages employees and retirees to make life-long choices that promote a holistic approach to their physical, mental, emotional, social, spiritual and financial wellness. Please review our awesome benefits:Note: The appointee to this position is subject to emergency callback 24 hours a day/seven days a week (24/7) to respond to snow, flood, and other emergencies requiring division resources.

*A $5,000 signing bonus is available to new county employees hired in the Engineer V position.
Employment Standards

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

(Click on the aforementioned link to learn how Fairfax County interprets equivalencies for "Any combination, experience, and training equivalent to")
Graduation from a four-year college or university accredited by the Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technologies with a bachelor's degree in the appropriate engineering or architecture field; plus, five years of progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field, including one year of supervisory experience.

CERTIFICATES AND LICENSES REQUIRED:
  • A valid driver's license.
  • Possession of a valid Virginia Professional Engineer or Architect license.
  • Class I Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Wastewater license within 24 months of hire.
An individual who possesses a valid Professional Engineer or Architect license in another state will be granted a temporary exemption to this requirement pending the Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers & Landscape Architects decision regarding that individual's application for reciprocity.

NECESSARY SPECIAL REQUIREMENTS:
The appointee to this position will be required to complete a criminal background check, driving record check, and pre-employment medical evaluation to the satisfaction of the employer.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
  • Three or more years of experience ensuring compliance with and knowledge of the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act and associated federal and state regulations as related to wastewater facilities.
  • Five or more years of process and/or operational experience and/or knowledge relating to large scale (>35 MGD) advanced wastewater treatment plants.
  • Three or more years of process modeling experience.
  • Three or more years of project Management experience.
  • Project Management Professional (PMP) designation.
  • Class I Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation (DPOR) Wastewater license.
PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:
Ability to communicate clearly, both verbally and in written form, is crucial for engaging with colleagues and customers through phone calls, or face-to-face meetings. Ability to endure variable and extreme weather conditions such as hot, cold, during rain, noisy environments, etc., and the ability to work around and in contact with raw sewage. Ability to lift/ slide up to 90 lbs. with assistance. Must be able to operate keyboard driven equipment and use other automated technology to input, access and retrieve information from a laptop or desktop. Visual acuity is required to read data on computer monitors such as GIS maps. Must be able to physically negotiate rough terrain on uneven ground such as hills, wooded and marshy areas to make direct observation of work in progress including recognizing unforeseen hazards such as sharp objects, warning signs, slippery surfaces, steep depressions, tripping hazards. Must be able to push, pull, lift, bend, stoop, walk, climb/crouch, crawl, stand and reach to work in demanding and uncomfortable positions for extended durations. All duties performed with or without reasonable accommodations.

SELECTION PROCEDURE:Panel interview and may include exercise.

BONUS ELIGIBILITY:Positions within this classification that are general merit may be eligible for a one-time hiring incentive bonus for new county employees only. This bonus program requires a signed payback agreement between the department and employee.

Fairfax County is home to a highly diverse population, with a significant number of residents speaking languages other than English at home (including ) We encourage candidates who are bilingual in English and another language to apply for this opportunity.

#LI-JT1
Merit Positions

Fairfax County is proud to offer employees an attractive and comprehensive benefits program, including the following:
  • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
  • Group Term Life Insurance
  • Long Term Disability
  • LiveWell Program
  • Flexible Spending Programs
  • Paid Leave (annual, sick, parental, volunteer activity, and more!)
  • Paid Holidays
  • Deferred Compensation
  • Employee Assistance Program
  • Employees' Child Care Center
  • Continuous Learning Opportunities
Please click for a summary of our benefits.

NOTE: Fairfax County Government is a qualifying employer under the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. For more information about the PSLF program:

For additional details please visit the
Non-Merit Positions
  1. Non-Merit Benefit Eligible: scheduled to work a minimum 1,040 hours and no more than a maximum of 1,560 hours in a calendar year.
    • Medical/Vision/Dental Insurance Coverage
    • Flexible Spending Program
    • Deferred Compensation
  2. Temporary: scheduled to work a maximum of 900 hours in a calendar year.
    • No benefits

01

What is the highest level of education that you have completed?
  • Less than 12th grade
  • High school diploma or GED
  • Some college
  • Associate's degree
  • Bachelor's degree
  • Master's degree
  • Doctorate degree

02

If you answered "Some college" for the highest level of education completed, please indicate the number of quarter or semester hours you have completed towards a related degree.
  • Less than 45 quarter hours
  • 45 to less than 90 quarter hours
  • 90 to less than 135 quarter hours
  • 135 to less than 180 quarter hours
  • 180 or more quarter hours
  • Less than 30 semester hours
  • 30 to less than 60 semester hours
  • 60 to less than 90 semester hours
  • 90 to less than 120 semester hours
  • 120 or more semester hours
  • Not applicable

03

Please indicate all major(s) or minor(s) for your completed degree(s). Check all that apply.
  • Engineering
  • Architecture
  • Environmental engineering
  • Civil engineering
  • Chemical engineering
  • Mechanical engineering
  • Sanitary / water Resources engineering
  • Other (related field)
  • Other (non-related field)
  • Not applicable

04

If you answered "Other (related field)" or "Other (non-related field)" for the previous question, please list the discipline of your degree. If this question does not pertain to you or you do not possess a degree, enter "N/A".
05

How many years of full-time equivalent progressively responsible professional experience in the appropriate engineering or architectural field do you possess?
  • None
  • Less than one year
  • One to less than two years
  • Two to less than three years
  • Three to less than four years
  • Four to less than five years
  • Five to less than six years
  • Six to less than seven years
  • Seven to less than eight years
  • Eight to less than nine years
  • Nine years or more

06

How many years of full-time equivalent supervisory experience do you possess?
  • None
  • Less than one year
  • One to less than two years
  • Two to less than three years
  • Three to less than four years
  • Four to less than five years
  • Five years or more

07

Do you have a valid Professional Engineer (PE) or Registered Architect (RA) license from the Commonwealth of Virginia or similar registration from another state and can achieve Virginia registration within one year of the start of employment?
  • Yes
  • No

08

Do you currently possess a valid driver's license?
  • Yes
  • No

09

How many years of experience do you possess ensuring compliance with and knowledge of the Clean Water Act and Clean Air Act and associated federal and state regulations as related to wastewater facilities?
  • None
  • Less than one year
  • One to less than two years
  • Two to less than three years
  • Three to less than four years
  • Four to less than five years
  • Five to less than six years
  • Six to less than seven years
  • Seven to less than eight years
  • Eight to less than nine years
  • Nine years or more

10

How many years of experience do you possess in process and/or operational experience in relation to large scale (>35 MGD) advanced wastewater treatment plants?
  • None
  • Less than one year
  • One to less than two years
  • Two to less than three years
  • Three to less than four years
  • Four to less than five years
  • Five to less than six years
  • Six to less than seven years
  • Seven to less than eight years
  • Eight to less than nine years
  • Nine years or more
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