Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater Utility

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, employs people in a variety of roles within our eight-state footprint, ranging from field workers and customer service representatives who are on the front lines working with customers, to scientists and engineers who help ensure we’re delivering reliable water and wastewater services to our communities. If you’re looking for a rewarding career helping improve our environment and protect our natural resources, we encourage you to join our team!

Overview

Aqua NJ is seeking a Project Engineer II to support the Engineering Manager by managing the Engineering & Construction Team and the state capital budget. The role involves leading personnel responsible for water and wastewater capital projects from planning through design, initial construction bidding and award, and direct project management. The position collaborates with department managers, operations and engineering personnel, public officials, and developers to plan, design, permit, and execute capital work to meet future compliance, growth, and operational efficiency needs.

The role oversees all aspects of project planning and design, coordinating with the Operations Team to translate near- and long-term issues into cost-effective capital, O&M, and life-cycle solutions. This position addresses significant capital workload (PFAS treatment systems, lead service line replacement, growth, rehabilitation, SCADA) planned for installation over the next 10 years and beyond.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES

• Responsible for planning engineering projects in multiple divisions.

• Manage the design of water and sewer improvement projects (e.g., tanks, boosters, lift stations, WTP/WWTP projects, regulating vaults) as needed.

• Work with hydraulic modeling team to evaluate and mitigate system-wide challenges.

• Submittal of required permits and approvals; prepares and oversees permit applications to obtain necessary approvals.

• Coordinate and manage construction projects including bidding, scheduling, and cost estimating. Enforce contract requirements and perform construction administration on assigned projects.

• Work with consultants to secure easements; negotiate and prepare property easements and oversee descriptions, surveys, and legal recording as required.

• Manage project financials (work orders, purchase orders, invoicing, etc.).

• Collaborate with departments statewide: operations, engineering, accounting, customer service.

• Perform due diligence for potential acquisitions.

• Review water main extension plans for compliance with Aqua NJ design standards.

• Assist with other tasks or projects as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering is required.

• Registered Professional Engineer in the State of New Jersey or ability to obtain PE license within 12 months from hire date.

• 4+ years of relevant experience required.

• Experience in water, wastewater, and buried utilities required.

• Valid NJ Driver’s License required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Email, Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

• Excellent written and verbal communications skills; ability to communicate clearly and professionally with internal customers.

• Strong customer service skills.

• Ability to work well under pressure and manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.

• Team player with the ability to work in a multi-tasking environment.

WORKING CONDITIONS/PHYSICAL DEMANDS

• Sedentary work; ability to exert up to 20 pounds of force occasionally; generally requires sitting most of the time.

• Travel to work sites within the State of New Jersey may be required.

SALARY RANGE: base of $112,288.42 - $129,131.68

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company, is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics, including race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, veteran status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities. If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying online or need to request an accommodation during the interview process, please call (1-877-271-9012).

To maintain the integrity of the recruitment process and avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment or family referrals, certain guidelines apply to hiring and assignment of these individuals, including, but not limited to:

• Family members cannot result in a supervisor/subordinate reporting relationship.
• Family members cannot work in the same department.