Principal Engineer – Water & Wastewater

Full Job Description

COMPANY BACKGROUND

Riley Engineering is a civil engineering firm specializing in water resources. Our mission is to engineer and implement solutions to provide society with water infrastructure. Riley was founded to improve people’s lives by ensuring that all have the necessary civil infrastructure to facilitate socioeconomic well-being. Our employees rally behind that mission and enjoy building the firm from the ground up together—pairing technical expertise with business acumen and a heart for helping others.

Candidate must demonstrate professional experience in an engineering consulting role. Resume must be project-based and include projects the candidate has worked on in the United States. Include: project title, client, location, your role, software you used, and any calculations or analyses you performed. Please do not apply if you do not meet these qualifications.

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER ROLE

We are seeking a talented and motivated Principal Engineer with a passion for water and wastewater, and a desire to contribute to the broader field of water resources engineering. As a key member of our team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of water infrastructure projects that empower communities.

In this role, you will take on leadership responsibilities, guiding technical direction, approving and sealing engineering deliverables, and collaborating with a team of engineers dedicated to delivering high-quality water resources and civil projects.

The initial expectation of the position is approximately 70% billable work and 30% business development. Travel should be anticipated. Projects are currently in AZ, NM, and UT. PE licensure in these states will be required.

PRINCIPAL ENGINEER RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead and manage drainage engineering projects, ensuring timely delivery and regulatory compliance.
• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership, including mentoring junior engineers.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to deliver sustainable water resource solutions.
• Stay informed on industry trends and integrate best practices.
• Work with clients, stakeholders, and regulatory agencies.
• Champion continuous improvement and quality standards.
• Support company growth and business development efforts.
• Streamline engineering processes and develop internal quality controls.

For billable project work:

• Engineer of Record for water and wastewater infrastructure.
• Lead design teams and manage schedules and budgets.
• Prepare construction drawings and bid documents.
• Prepare technical memoranda and design reports.
• Perform QA/QC reviews.
• Serve as senior technical reviewer.
• Mentor junior staff.
• Project management and administration.
• Construction management and inspections.

For business development:

• Develop and execute business development strategies.
• Bring new business and clients to Riley.
• Build and manage client relationships.
• Write proposals.
• Attend networking events and conferences.
• Recruit new employees aligned with growth strategy.
• Develop internal business strategies for efficiency and profitability.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in civil engineering.
• 15+ years of professional civil engineering experience.
• Strong expertise in water and wastewater design.
• Experience with AutoCAD, EPANET, WaterCAD, or similar tools.
• Proven leadership and client engagement skills.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical ability.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Professional Engineering (PE) license in AZ with ability to obtain multi-state licensure.

WHAT WE’LL EXPECT FROM YOU

• Full-time position.
• Flexible work location within Arizona; main office in Tucson.
• In-office schedule TBD.
• Occasional travel outside work hours.

WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT FROM US

• Growth opportunities based on goals and company needs.
• Influence in a growing firm where your ideas matter.
• Your own office.
• 10 paid holidays per year.
• 3 weeks PTO per year, increasing with tenure.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Optional HSA, accident, critical illness, and disability plans.
• 401(k) with 5% company match.
• Salary: Commensurate with experience.

BENEFITS

• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Health savings account
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Vision insurance

IF THIS SOUNDS LIKE YOU, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR PROJECT-BASED RESUME AND COVER LETTER. WE LOOK FORWARD TO HEARING FROM YOU.