Water Resources Principal Engineer

Water Resources Principal Engineer 

Westwood Professional Services

The Principal Water Resources Engineer serves as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) in stormwater management, responsible for interpreting and applying local, state, and federal regulations to renewable energy projects. This role ensures technical oversight and quality assurance across all stormwater management designs and analyses, utilizing advanced hydrology and hydraulic software. The Principal Engineer drives training programs, mentors junior staff, and develops standardized QA/QC procedures. They play a critical role in fostering cross-divisional collaboration, advising clients, and developing innovative solutions that enhance operational efficiency. By aligning with the company’s strategic objectives, the Principal Engineer shapes technical strategies and cultivates a culture of excellence and continuous improvement within the team. 

Role Description: 

• Serve as an SME in your field, both internally and with clients.  
• Provide technical support for four key areas of the business: 
• Technical expertise
• Quality
• Staff development
• Market support
• Apply a thorough understanding of current engineering principles and practices related to various aspects affecting the organization.  
• Utilize progressively acquired expertise to resolve critical issues and/or unique conditions.  
• Analyze complex problems across specialty areas relevant to your field of expertise.  
• Evaluate ethical dilemmas to determine appropriate courses of action.  
• Mentor engineering staff within your area of specialization.
• Develop and lead service specific quality program.
• Act as technical expert in regards to service specific local, state and national requirements and regulations

Role Responsibility: 

1) Technical Expertise

• Act as the organization's technical advisor in implementing advanced concepts and methods in an assigned area.
• Stay updated on new developments and requirements impacting the organization to recommend program or application changes.
• Review operational procedures to ensure compliance with applicable policies and performance measures.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements. 
• Initiate process improvements and coordinate with internal stakeholders.
• Assess suppliers for their technological and engineering capabilities.

2) Quality

• Enhance quality control and the methods used for its implementation.
• Promote technical design concepts, specifications, and quality control practices for the team while considering cost competitiveness, market differentiators, new technology, and risk.
• Review and authorize engineering designs, particularly those involving high-risk or new technology.
• Understand project delivery uncertainties and use risk management principles to address them.
• Help identify risk areas and risk mitigation measures.
• Offer input and guidance throughout all project phases to address challenging technical issues.
• Serve as the Engineer of Record (EOR), Senior and/or Principal Engineer on assigned projects.

3) Staff Development

• Support Service leadership in developing training materials, quality processes, and standards.
• Prepare and present structured technical training to the Service.
• Advise Service leadership on ways to optimize team satisfaction and performance.  
• Identify growth and learning opportunities for project teams
• Engage actively in staff mentorship and training programs

4) Market Support

• Support the Market team by representing our technical capability and industry expertise in client meetings, conferences, and industry organizations.
• Provide cross-divisional technical support in your area of expertise to develop existing and emerging markets.
• Assist Market leadership with marketing efforts and the creation of marketing materials.
• Contacts/Directions: 
• Receives administrative supervision with assignments given in terms of broad general objectives and limits.
• Supervisory Responsibility: 
• Direct reports may include Senior Engineers. 
• Coordinate with the appropriate Engineering Managers and Service Directorto ensure strategic alignment. 

Success Measures: 

• Viewed as an SME within the company.
• Viewed as a trusted technical advisor by clients.  
• Identifying and implementing service processes, procedures, and systems.
• Active trainer in the training program.
• Actively engaging with Lead Engineers to support mentorship.
• Identifying growth opportunities for both staff and project teams

Note: This job description is not intended to be all-inclusive. The employee may be required to perform other related duties to meet the organization's ongoing needs.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience.
• Experience working for: (1) an engineering consulting firm or (2) EPCs, developers, or construction contractors in the renewable energy sector.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET/EAC-accredited program.
• Master’s degree or equivalent (optional).
• Professional Engineer professional certification with the ability to obtain licensure in multiple states.

Required Technical Skills:

• Advanced knowledge of engineering, formal/informal communication, teamwork, and leadership.
• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality.
• Ability to represent your service within the organization and with external individuals and organizations.
• Advanced knowledge of construction drawing and specification packages.
• Advanced knowledge of construction practices and constructability.
• Working knowledge of project management principles.
• Proficient in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Commitment to lifelong learning to stay informed about contemporary issues.

Required Personal Skills:

• Professional attitudes relevant to engineering, including creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and reliability.
• Capacity to regularly interact with organizational leaders, clients, officials, and contractors.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills, including the ability to:  
• Interpret complex technical and contractual language 
• Apply principles of formal strategic and persuasive communications
• Represent the organization in communications
• Consider the needs of diverse project stakeholders
• Demonstrate empathy and critical listening skills
• Show assertiveness and a collaborative spirit when addressing and resolving conflicts
• Ability to offer ongoing mentorship to staff to promote individual growth and enhance engineering capabilities across the organization.
• Ability to sustain a team culture that aligns with the organization’s culture.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple offices.

Preferred Additional Skills: 

• Strong understanding of project management principles.
• Renewable energy or land development experience.