Senior Engineer (Planning - Collections)

Orange County, CA - Sanitation District

• $164K — $199K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in relevant engineering field from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum of six years of professional engineering experience.
  • Valid California Class C Driver's License required.
  • Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration in California is mandatory.
  • Desired experience includes engineering planning and pump station systems.

Responsibilities

  • Lead complex engineering assignments in planning and design of wastewater facilities.
  • Manage capital projects through all phases and ensure compliance with timelines and budgets.
  • Develop project proposals, overseeing scope, staffing, and bid processes.
  • Collaborate with Operations and Maintenance staff to resolve field issues.
  • Conduct technical studies and implement engineering solutions for optimization.
  • Guide and train lower-level engineering staff, ensuring adherence to standards.
  • Analyze operational issues and develop corrective action plans.

Benefits

  • Ten working days of paid vacation per year.
Full Job Description
Salary: $164,424.00 - $199,846.40 Annually
Location : Headquarters - 18480 Bandilier Cir, Fountain Valley, CA 92708, CA
Job Type: Full-time
Job Number: 770
Department: Engineering
Division: Planning
Opening Date: 09/23/2026
Closing Date: 10/7/2026 5:00 PM Pacific

Description
OC San is currently looking to fill the role of a Senior Engineer (Planning - Collections).

Under general direction, leads and participates in a variety of the most complex and responsible engineering assignments in the planning, design, construction, operations, and compliance of wastewater facilities, infrastructure, systems, and programs; manages major capital projects through all phases of the project management life cycle; inspects and analyzes plant operations, develops solutions, and implements process improvements; serves as subject matter expert and advisor to management staff on assigned plant systems, projects, or programs; researches complex problems, conducts technical engineering-related studies, and recommends operational, program, or policy solutions; provides guidance, technical direction, and training to other engineering staff; and performs duties as assigned.

When assigned to Planning:
  • Leads and participates in a variety of complex professional engineering duties in the planning, design, construction, operations, and compliance of wastewater facilities, systems, and programs; oversees and/or prepares, evaluates, and provides comment on scopes of work for engineering projects, detailed designs, drawings, technical specifications, and scopes of work for engineering projects.
  • Develops and initiates proposals for new projects; determines project goals, scope of work, staffing requirements, schedules, and budgets; oversees the project bid and proposal processes; solicits and reviews proposals; negotiates contract terms and participates in the selection of consultants and contractors; establishes project schedule and performance criteria; prepares agenda reports for the Board of Directors.
  • Leads engineering planning activities for OC San assets and infrastructure; maintains and improves datasets related to asset management; works closely with Operations and Maintenance staff to identify field issues and evaluate solutions to resolve these issues; develops short to long-term planning for assets maintenance, rehabilitation and replacement; identifies, packages and prioritizes new capital projects.
  • Actively participates in engineering design and major capital improvement projects through all phases of the project life cycle, from preliminary design to project closeout; manages the procurement of goods and services for assigned projects; establishes project milestones and key deadlines; interfaces with senior management, the Board of Directors, peers, project staff, consultants, customers, and users as necessary to coordinate project execution; informs stakeholders of project status and possible outcomes; prepares, oversees, and monitors budgets; ensures project progresses on schedule within prescribed budget and with acceptable quality.
  • Manages the work of outside consultants and contractors; directs consultants on project planning, preparation, scheduling, and execution of contracts; ensures work is completed on time and in conformance with budgets, schedules, plans, and specifications.
  • Conducts complex engineering calculations, research, analysis, optimization studies, and process modeling within specialized area of assignment; compiles data, reviews reports, and monitors processes; recommends and implements corrective actions.
  • Oversees the design, replacement, rehabilitation, and abandonment of plant process areas, collection facilities, and pump stations; reviews plans and technical specifications and provides input on functional and/or safety aspects of proposed plant and collection facilities and rehabilitation projects. inspects, diagnoses, develops, and oversees corrective action plans for the most complex operation and maintenance problems.
  • Inspects, diagnoses, develops, and oversees corrective action plans for the most complex operation and maintenance problems; reviews plant process trends, directs corrective action, and coordinates operational activities to optimize plant process and safety.
  • Attends and participates in professional group meetings; stays abreast of new trends and innovations in the field of engineering; researches emerging products and enhancements and their applicability to OC San needs.
  • Assists in the development of policies, procedures, and standards; establishes, manages, updates engineering standards to meet current best practices and engineering design requirements.
  • Organizes and assigns the work of lower-level staff; trains staff in work procedures; reviews work products and provides direction for difficult and/or complex assignments; as a program and/or project leader, may direct, assign, train, monitor, and review the work activities of team members; determines work priorities; oversees quality and quantity of work performed and ensures adherence to established procedures by instructing employees accordingly; is a reference to employees by possessing specialized skills; and develops and implements work improvements.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Requirements

Requirements:
  1. Bachelor's degree from a college or university accredited by the U.S. Department of Education, with major coursework in civil, mechanical, chemical, electrical, or environmental engineering or a related field, dependent upon area of assignment.
  2. Six (6) years of increasingly responsible professional engineering work experience.
  3. Must possess a valid California Class C Driver's License.
  4. Must possess a valid registration as a professional engineer (P.E.) in the State of California.
Desired:
  • Previous engineering planning experience.
  • Previous engineering experience with pump stations and collection systems.

Recruitment & Selection Process
Vacancies: 1

(an eligible list may be established for future vacancies)
Apply online at:
APPLICATION FILING DEADLINE: Wednesday, October 7, 2026; 5:00 P.M.

(or until a sufficient number of qualified applications have been received)
Hiring Salary Range: $164,424.00 - 181,929.80/Year

(starting salary will be within this range based upon qualifications)

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS
  • Mobility to work in a standard office setting and use standard office equipment, including a computer; to operate a motor vehicle and visit various OC San sites, projects, and/or meetings; primarily a sedentary office classification although standing in work areas and walking between work areas may be required; occasionally bend, stoop, kneel, reach, push, and pull drawers open and closed to retrieve and file information; ability to lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects up to 35 pounds.
  • Mobility to work in changing site conditions; to sit, stand, and walk on level, uneven, or slippery surfaces; to reach, twist, turn, kneel, and bend, to climb and descend ladders.
  • Perform light physical work; lift, carry, push, and pull materials and objects averaging a weight of 51 pounds, or heavier weights, in all cases with the use of proper equipment and/or assistance from other staff.
  • Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
  • Vision to inspect site conditions and work in progress.
  • Hearing and speech to communicate in person and over the telephone.
  • Finger dexterity is needed to access, enter, and retrieve data using a computer keyboard or calculator and to operate standard office equipment.
  • Frequent walking in operational areas to identify problems or hazards.
  • Climb ladders, install cabling, work around and in low voltage field control panels and hardware; use electrical and networking test equipment; use tools to remove, install and test equipment including servers, network equipment, power supplies, fiber optics and cabling.
ENVIRONMENTAL ELEMENTS
  • Office environment with moderate noise levels, controlled temperature conditions, and no direct exposure to hazardous physical substances.
  • May work in the field and occasionally be exposed to loud noise levels, cold and hot temperatures, inclement weather conditions, road hazards, vibration, chemicals, mechanical and/or electrical hazards, hazardous physical substances and fumes, dust, and air contaminants.
  • Employees may interact with upset staff and/or public and private representatives in interpreting and enforcing departmental policies and procedures.
OTHER REQUIRMENTS
  • Probationary Period: All OC San employees, except classifications considered "at-will", are subject to the probationary period provisions as specified in the applicable Memorandum of Understanding, policies, and/or resolutions. Employees who have not yet successfully completed their initial probationary period serve "at-will" and may be released from employment without cause or recourse to any appeal or grievance procedures.
  • Pre-Employment: All employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of OC San's pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation, a physical examination, and a drug screen.
  • Work Location Assignment: Employees will be assigned to a work location based on business needs which may be located at any/all of OC San locations; this work location may be changed at any time.

OTHER INFORMATION
For the full range of duties, responsibilities, and essential job functions please review the Classification Specification for this position found on

Applicants must clearly demonstrate, through their application materials, that they meet the minimum requirements as outlined in the job announcement and class specification to receive further consideration. However, meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee an interview. All properly completed applications will be reviewed, and the most appropriately qualified individuals will be invited to continue in the selection process.
False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.

To ensure your application is accurate and complete, please review the
Employment is contingent upon successful completion of OC San's pre-employment process, which includes a background investigation and a physical examination. For some positions, this may include a drug screen. False statements may be cause for disqualification, removal from the eligible list, or discharge from employment. All statements made on applications are subject to investigation and verification.
Reference Checks will be conducted by OC San to verify employment related information for all potential employees once a contingent job offer is made during the background investigation process. This is done to ensure that individuals who join OC San are well qualified and have a strong potential to be successful in their employment. The extent of the inquiry will depend on the position being applied for, but will at least include:

  • Verification/Reference from current and past employers
  • Confirmation of necessary licenses, certificates, and degrees.

Please have all necessary documentation ready. Additional inquiries may be necessary depending on the position for which you are applying. Human Resources will also schedule a post-offer physical examination once a job offer has been made.
OC San only accepts applications submitted via our online application system. Applications submitted via mail, fax or email will not be accepted.
The provisions of this announcement do not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Any provision contained in this announcement may be modified or revoked without notice.
Ten working days paid vacation

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