Principal Water Distribution Modeling Engineer

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Principal Water Distribution Modeling Engineer providing technical leadership for water distribution systems. Collaborating with multidisciplinary teams in addressing water infrastructure challenges.

Posted 6/12/2026full-timeSalt Lake City • Utah • 🇺🇸 United StatesLeadWebsite

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Serve as a technical leader for drinking water distribution system modeling, planning, and infrastructure evaluation projects;
Lead development, calibration, maintenance, and application of hydraulic and water quality models for municipal water systems;
Direct water system master plans, infrastructure planning studies, and long-term capital improvement programs;
Perform and oversee hydraulic analyses related to system capacity, pressure management, storage operations, fire flow, reliability, and emergency response planning;
Lead water quality evaluations including water age, disinfectant residuals, constituent tracking, source blending, and operational optimization studies;
Develop and oversee field testing and model calibration programs, including pressure monitoring, flow monitoring, hydrant testing, and operational data collection;
Integrate and analyze GIS, SCADA, AMI/AMR, billing, and operational datasets to improve model fidelity and support utility decision-making;
Develop technically defensible infrastructure recommendations supported by hydraulic, operational, financial, and risk-based analyses;
Prepare and review technical reports, memoranda, presentations, and planning documents;
Collaborate directly with utility leadership, operations personnel, and executive stakeholders to communicate technical findings and implementation strategies;
Mentor and develop junior and mid-level engineers while advancing modeling best practices across the firm;
Support business development activities including client relationship management, proposal development, conference participation, and strategic growth initiatives.

Requirements

What you’ll need

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or a related engineering discipline
Advanced degree in the same/similar field (preferred)
Professional Engineer (P.E.) registration (required)
10+ years of experience (15+ preferred) in drinking water system planning, hydraulic modeling, water quality modeling, or water distribution engineering consulting; or equivalent combination of education and experience (required)
Demonstrated experience leading hydraulic and water quality modeling efforts for municipal water utilities (required)
Experience developing and implementing water system master plans and capital improvement programs
Expertise in water distribution system operations, planning, reliability analysis, and water quality management
Experience utilizing GIS, SCADA, AMI/AMR, billing, and operational datasets in support of model development and planning studies
Proficiency with industry-standard modeling software such as InfoWater Pro, OpenFlows WaterGEMS, EPANET, AquaTwin Water, and/or similar hydraulic and water quality modeling platforms (required)
Experience leading model calibration programs and integrating field data into planning and operational analyses (required)
Strong technical writing, presentation, and communication skills (required)
Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams and mentor technical staff (required)
Experience interacting directly with utility management, operations staff, and executive stakeholders (required)
Valid U.S. driver's license and satisfactory driving record for business travel (required)

Benefits

Comp & perks

Competitive pay and benefits
Well-being programs to support you and your family

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills & Tools

hydraulic modelingwater quality modelingdrinking water system planningwater distribution engineeringmodel calibrationpressure managementflow monitoringoperational optimizationreliability analysisdata analysis

Soft Skills

technical leadershipcommunication skillsmentoringcollaborationclient relationship managementpresentation skillsstrategic growth initiativesteam leadershipproblem-solvinginterpersonal skills

Certifications

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineeringBachelor’s degree in environmental engineeringProfessional Engineer (P.E.) registrationAdvanced degree in engineering (preferred)