[Hiring] Principal – Water/Wastewater Engineer @Kimmel & Associates

Role Description

The Principal – Water/Wastewater Engineer will provide entrepreneurial leadership in establishing and expanding a new Water/Wastewater practice throughout California. This high-impact position is designed for a seasoned engineering professional who combines deep technical expertise with a strong record of client development, revenue generation, and practice leadership.

• Lead the strategic development and growth of the Water/Wastewater practice across California, including annual growth plans, staffing strategies, market expansion, and operational oversight.
• Develop and maintain relationships with municipal, utility, industrial, and private-sector clients.
• Generate annual net revenue exceeding $750,000 through client development, project pursuits, and strategic business development.
• Lead strategic pursuits, proposals, client presentations, interviews, and contract negotiations.
• Provide executive oversight and technical leadership for water, wastewater, recycled water, and stormwater projects from planning and design through construction.
• Serve as a senior technical resource for hydraulic modeling, condition and vulnerability assessments, asset management, capital improvement planning, conveyance systems, treatment facilities, and rehabilitation/retrofit projects.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop engineering and technical professionals to support the growth of the practice.
• Oversee quality assurance for engineering calculations, technical reports, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and construction documents.
• Represent the firm at industry organizations, conferences, professional associations, and other strategic forums.
• Partner with senior leadership on long-term business strategy, financial performance, staffing, and market expansion.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of progressively responsible engineering consulting experience, with substantial experience in water, wastewater, stormwater, or utility infrastructure.
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading or managing a practice, business line, regional operation, or similar organization.
• Active California Professional Engineer (PE) registration required.
• Proven success in client development, strategic growth, and revenue generation.
• Strong existing relationships with California municipalities, utilities, industrial clients, and/or regulatory agencies.
• Demonstrated ability to build and manage multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience leading complex infrastructure projects from planning and design through construction.
• Expertise in one or more of the following areas: water supply, wastewater, recycled water, stormwater, infrastructure planning and design, utility operations technology, and rehabilitation/retrofit.
• Familiarity with CAD platforms, hydraulic modeling software, and infrastructure design applications.
• Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules, contracts, and financial performance.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with the ability to identify opportunities, develop relationships, and build a sustainable practice.

Requirements

• Fully Remote – candidates must be based in Northern California or the Bay Area.
• Periodic travel throughout California will be required for client meetings, business development, project oversight, and industry events.

Benefits

• Competitive base salary of $170,000–$200,000, based on experience and qualifications.
• Support and resources to build and grow a new business line.
• Strategic, technical, recruiting, administrative, marketing, and proposal support.
• Opportunity to play a significant role in the firm's long-term California growth strategy.
• Additional benefits are available; specific benefits package to be confirmed.