Senior Engineer - Water Pipeline Infrastructure at Mojave Water Agency (CA)

The Senior Engineer – Water Pipeline Infrastructure helps oversee and accomplish any day-to-day infrastructure engineering and asset management related functions for the Agency in close coordination with the Engineering Manager. Independently manages own workload and timelines.

Functional Competencies
Job-specific competencies critical to success:

CompetencyTypical Proficiency Expected for this JobCritical Thinking & Problem Solving

• Independently diagnoses and resolves engineering or construction issues.
• Weighs risks, considers multiple solutions, and adapts methods to specific project constraints.
• Exercises judgment to engage others as appropriate.

Project & Construction Management

• Independently manages medium-scale projects through planning, procurement, and construction phases.
• Develops and oversees scopes, schedules, budgets, and technical documents.
• Leads construction meetings, processes change orders, and ensures compliance with contract terms, codes, and safety standards.
• Coordinates internal teams and external partners; uses project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera) to monitor progress and reporting.

Technical Evaluations, Review, and Assessment

• Independently reviews and assesses technical proposals, contractor submittals, and engineering designs.
• Ensures compliance with standards and project requirements.
• Designs and conducts credible technical evaluations related to water pipeline infrastructure function.

Water Pipeline Infrastructure Engineering and Maintenance

• Helps manage water pipeline design and construction projects, including rehabilitation and replacement.
• Manages hydraulic modeling, condition assessments, and cost-benefit analyses.
• Helps resolve operational issues and ensures regulatory compliance.

Technical Communication

• Independently prepares well-structured technical reports, memos, and presentations.
• Explains complex engineering concepts to non-engineers and contributes to Agency planning discussions.

Core Competencies
Proficiencies in the Agency-wide competencies expected for this role:

CompetencyTypical Proficiency Expected for this JobStrategic Agility

• Considers department goals beyond their own tasks.
• Anticipates challenges, proposes solutions, and weighs trade-offs in a team or project context.

Operational Effectiveness

• Plans and prioritizes team tasks to improve coordination and outcomes.
• Balances competing demands.
• Leads improvements in team workflows to enhance quality and consistency.

Collaboration

• Collaborates proactively across teams and external partners to solve problems.
• Coaches less experienced colleagues.

Customer Focus

• Anticipates customer needs and enhances processes using feedback.

Decision Making

• Encourages collaboration and actively seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives and input.
• Makes tough calls within role and owns outcomes.
• Exercises judgment to say “no” to protect quality and integrity.

Emotional Intelligence

• Manages emotions effectively and shows empathy.
• Adapts communication to others’ emotional states.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is required. 
• A graduate degree in one of the above-mentioned fields is preferred.

Experience

• 5 years minimum of progressively responsible professional engineering experience is required, including at least 2 years in project management or construction oversight. 
• Experience in the planning, design, and implementation of water pipeline infrastructure projects is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid California Class C driver’s license and current automobile insurance are required.
• Professional Engineering License, State of California is preferred.

Typical working conditions and physical demands required to perform the essential functions of the job include but are not limited to: 

• Work in an office setting, primarily sitting, occasionally standing and walking
• Operate standard office equipment, including computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor
• Read printed materials and digital text and images
• Occasionally lift, carry, push or pull materials up to 60 pounds with the use of proper equipment
• Operate a motor vehicle to visit various Agency sites
• Work outside at infrastructure or construction sites, occasionally in cramped spaces, walking in operational areas, sometimes with uneven terrain and exposure to noise, dust, cold or hot weather, etc.
• Follow strict safety procedures and risk mitigation measures
• Occasionally may be required to interact with Agency customers or members of the public

This position can be hybrid—typically with three days a week in the Agency offices at 13846 Conference Center Drive, Apple Valley, CA—if the employee qualifies under Mojave Water Agency’s Remote Work Policy . In-office presence is expected on a flexible basis, depending upon departmental needs and in coordination with the Engineering Manager. Remote work isn’t guaranteed and may change over time.

Compensation details: 117376-164327 Yearly Salary

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