Water Systems Engineer

Job Description:

California Water Service Group (Cal Water) invites you to build a meaningful career with the third largest publicly traded water utility in the United States. Guided by our mission to be the leading provider of water and wastewater services, we are dedicated to improving the quality of life for the customers, communities, and employees we serve.

Our culture is grounded in core values—integrity, quality, service, value, health and safety, respect and collaboration, and corporate citizenship—and is reflected in our recognition as a Top Workplace®, a Great Place to Work®, and a J.D. Power leader in customer satisfaction for multiple years. Join Cal Water and be part of a purpose driven organization where your work makes a lasting impact.

This is the intermediate level position in this classification series. All job functions listed below shall be under the technical guidance of higher level engineers/manager/supervisor as required, perform routine engineering projects using prescribed methods that require standard solutions, and/or include specific and limited portions of a broader assignment of an experienced engineer.

Requires increasing independence of judgment and action. With guidance, shall make presentation to districts and outside agencies; may coordinate and participate in meetings with outside agencies. This position can be located in San Jose, Bakersfield or Torrance, CA.

Essential Functions:

• Assesses district water systems to identify current and future infrastructure needs related to supply, storage, demand, pressure, fire flow, growth, water quality, reliability, asset condition, and operations.
• Collects and analyzes system data and demand scenarios to identify operational, regulatory, and reliability deficiencies and determines necessary infrastructure improvements in accordance with Title 22, CPUC General Order 103A, and Cal Water planning criteria
• Works directly with water system operators in their region and other engineering disciplines doing work in and supporting district operations, to develop an in-depth understanding of water system operations, issues and needs short and long term.
• Leads cross-functional planning meetings to evaluate and prioritize capital projects for inclusion in rate case filings, balancing system needs, regulatory requirements, risks and customer affordability.
• Develops and evaluates reasonable project alternatives and recommends preferred planning-level solutions and documents the technical basis, assumptions, constraints, risks, tradeoffs, and consequences of not proceeding.
• Develops conceptual engineering solutions and planning-level scopes for water infrastructure projects, including preliminary facility requirements, supporting calculations, layouts, and other information needed to define the proposed improvement and prepare a planning-level cost estimate.
• Identifies and coordinates additional field investigations, technical studies, permitting requirements, and specialized engineering support needed to complete the project scope.
• Reviews capital project scopes, analyses, conceptual designs, and cost estimates to ensure they address the identified project need and are consistent with Company requirements and operating conditions.
• Gathers and evaluates available cost information to support preliminary project budgeting, alternative comparisons, and reasonableness reviews. Detailed cost estimates may be prepared by consultants or cost estimators.
• Develops clear and defensible project justifications that describe the project need, supporting data, alternatives considered, selected solution, conceptual scope, regulatory or operational basis, risks, and consequences of inaction.
• Documents data sources, calculations, assumptions, limitations, stakeholder input, project prioritization, and QA/QC reviews to provide traceable support for planning decisions and GRC filings.
• Creates and maintains proposed capital projects, scopes, schedules, costs, and supporting information in PowerPlan and other designated planning and budgeting systems.
• Coordinates with Rates and other departments to evaluate the budget and rate impacts of proposed capital projects.
• Prepares project tables, exhibits, summaries, and justification materials for annual capital budgets, GRC applications, and CPUC review.
• Supports CPUC rate-case proceedings by assisting with data requests, testimony support, district tours, settlement responses, negotiations, and other capital-related information requests.
• Presents proposed projects, system assessments, recommendations, and supporting analyses to internal leadership, district stakeholders, consultants, and regulatory participants.
• Conducts site visits to validate field conditions, understand operational constraints, confirm planning assumptions, and support conceptual scope development.
• Tracks capital project cost, schedule, and completion trends and uses the results to recommend improvements to planning assumptions, project development practices, and future budgets.
• Develops guidance and trains staff on capital planning methods, system assessments, project scope development, project justifications, documentation requirements, and applicable planning tools.
• Participates in and supports the Company’s Continuous Improvement program and projects
• Performs other duties of a similar nature or level
• Performs work on site in the assigned office location

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field and or equivalent relevant experience; Master’s degree preferred
• Minimum of four (4) years of progressively responsible engineering experience in water utility engineering, hydraulic modeling, system planning, operations engineering, infrastructure planning, engineering design, or related fields.
• California Engineer in Training certification preferred
• California Professional Engineer registration preferred
• Demonstrated ability to independently assess complex water systems and translate identified needs into actionable capital improvements.
• Knowledge of water system planning, design, operations, and infrastructure improvement programs.
• Experience performing hydraulic analyses or developing, reviewing, or interpreting hydraulic models for water systems.
• Experience with hydraulic modeling software such as InfoWater, or similar platforms preferred.
• Knowledge of capital planning, project development, prioritization, budgeting, and asset management principles.
• Knowledge of utility regulatory requirements, including drinking water regulations and Public Utilities Commission rate case processes preferred.
• Ability to assess infrastructure needs, develop planning-level solutions, and prepare project scopes and justifications.
• Ability to analyze technical, operational, regulatory, and financial information to support capital investment decisions.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare reports, project justifications, presentations, procedures, and technical documentation.
• Ability to communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders and maintain effective working relationships.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments, priorities, and deadlines in a collaborative environment.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Experience with GIS, asset management systems, capital planning systems, project management software, or related engineering applications preferred.
• Public speaking and presentation skills.
• Valid California Driver License

Salary Range:

Bakersfield, CA $112,581.62 - $156,594.70 (DOE)

Torrance, CA $115,283.58 - $160,352.98 (DOE)

San Jose, CA $115,058.42 - $160,039.79 (DOE)

Deadline to submit resume is OPEN UNTIL FILLED.

The Equal Opportunity Policy of the Company is based upon the philosophy that all people should be treated fairly and with dignity. California Water Service, Hawaii Water Service, New Mexico Water Service and Washington Water Service do not discriminate against any applicant or employee because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected class.

The Company makes all employment decisions in a non-discriminatory manner. EOE, VET, DISABILITIES.