Project Engineer I

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!

About Essential Utilities

Essential Utilities, Inc. delivers safe, clean, reliable services that improve quality of life for individuals, families, and entire communities.

Operating as the Aqua (water and wastewater services) and the Peoples and Delta (natural gas) brands, Essential serves approximately 5.5 million people across 10 states. We are committed to sustainable growth, operational excellence, a superior customer experience, and premier employer status - including a competitive and comprehensive benefits package as well as a commitment to career growth opportunities.

We are advocates for the communities we serve and are dedicated stewards of natural lands, protecting more than 7,600 acres of forests and other habitats throughout our footprint.

Our company is one of the most significant publicly traded water, wastewater service and natural gas providers in the U.S. 

At Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc., we know that water is a precious resource – one that plays a critical role in sustaining life. That’s why we take seriously our mission: protecting and providing Earth’s most essential resource. At Aqua, we are guided by a set of principles that embody the character of our company and inspire our work together. They are embedded within our business practices and our behavior. We are proud to be united by integrity, respect and the pursuit of excellence to be the best we can be for the customers and communities we serve.

Together, the women and men of Aqua, a subsidiary of Essential Utilities, Inc. serve 1 million customers across eight states. Aqua uses science, technology, capital investments, and amazing talent to provide communities with clean, safe drinking water and responsibly return wastewater to our rivers and streams. Join our team and make a difference.

Job Details

The Project Engineer I plans, designs, and manages water and wastewater system capital projects of low to moderate complexity.  The qualified individual will assist in coordinating and implementing Aqua North Carolina’s long-term capital plan. 

Responsibilities and duties for this position include:

• Provide engineering support to other division within Aqua NC, including operations, compliance, accounting, and business development.
• Prepare or assist in the preparation of studies and reports for future water and wastewater systems needs and improvements. 
• Prepare and manage cost estimates, project schedules, contract bid documents, and community impact and risk assessments for capital projects.
• Review water and wastewater treatment process designs, calculations, and specifications prepared by others to ensure the work meets the specific project requirements and Company standards.
• Negotiate and prepare property easements and oversee the preparation of property descriptions, survey, and legal recording, as required.
• Manage internal and external relationships with a variety of stakeholders including, but not limited to engineering firms, contractors, technical vendors, customers, and state regulators.
• Review Safe Drinking Water Act and Clean Water Act regulations, legislation, new technology and current trends impacting the water/wastewater industry (i.e., emerging contaminants such as PFAS).
• Assist in the development and management of Company standards, specifications, and guidance for water and wastewater treatment and conveyance.
• Assist in the development of the Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) for the assigned service area.
• Participate in activities of various professional organizations and attend seminars and training courses when necessary to maintain technical competency.
• Perform other assignments, as required.

Other Duties

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Activities, duties, and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Civil, Environmental, Chemical, or Mechanical Engineering, or similar).
• Engineer-in-Training/Engineering Intern (EIT/EI) or the ability to pass the Fundamentals of Engineering exam within six months of hire date.
• Minimum of one year experience preferred.
• Coursework or experience in water or wastewater conveyance or treatment preferred.

What You’ll Love:

• Aqua will provide the experience and the opportunities for you to become a subject matter expert (SME) in water and/or wastewater system design. 
• Aqua will provide you the opportunity to work as part of the team ensuring the provision of safe water to our customers and to the environment.
• Hybrid Work Schedule for a combination of in office and remote work available after six months of employment.

Aqua, an Essential Utilities company is an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. Equal employment opportunity is provided to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to the following legally protected characteristics: race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, pregnancy (including childbirth and related medical conditions, including medical conditions related to lactation), physical or mental disability, covered-veteran status, genetic information (including testing and characteristics), sexual orientation, gender identity or expression or any other characteristic protected by applicable local, state or federal law.
Aqua is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals with disabilities.  If you have a condition that may prevent you from applying for a job 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 to avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest due to employment and/or assignment of family members and personal referrals, specific guidelines apply to the 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.