Northern California Water and Wastewater Practice Leader

Job Description

AECOM is actively seeking a creative, highly talented Northern California Water and Wastewater Practice Leader and thought leader with strong presence and delivery presentation for immediate employment. This position focuses on treatment design engineering for municipal water, wastewater, and reuse systems. This is an opportunity with significant need for client interaction not only in Northern California but also to support national pursuits, and the candidate can be hosted in any of our Sacramento, San Francisco, or Oakland offices.

This technical and strategic leadership role offers a unique opportunity to lead and grow AECOM's water business on a mix of municipal, state, and federal projects in Northern California. The successful candidate will be a seller-doer — combining business development, technical leadership, project delivery of water, wastewater, and reuse systems, and staff mentorship. The selected candidate will have the opportunity to collaborate with top-tier regional and national experts to deliver innovative solutions and expand our footprint in the water/wastewater sector.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Drive business development efforts and cultivate relationships with municipal clients
• Partner with regional and national experts to deliver cutting-edge solutions and pursue new opportunities.
• Lead proposal development with dedicated senior technical and marketing staff support.
• Act as Client Services Manager for select clients.
• Manage and deliver complex water, wastewater, and reuse projects, including treatment facilities and storage systems.
• Perform project management duties including scope, schedule, and budget development; team coordination; regulatory engagement; and consultant management.
• Mentor junior staff and foster professional growth, with a focus on treatment design.
• Ensure innovative, sound, and efficient design solutions are implemented.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, or related field, and 10+ years of progressive water/wastewater engineering experience, including the planning, design, and construction of municipal water/wastewater and reuse projects, including 2 years of leadership or demonstrated equivalency of experience and education
• Must be a licensed Professional Engineer in the state of California.
• This position requires existing U.S. work authorization.
• Demonstrated track record of business development success in the municipal water sector
• Valid U.S. Driver’s License and must be able to pass AECOM’s Motor Vehicle Records review.
• Strong technical background in municipal water/wastewater treatment design.
• Demonstrated success in client engagement and business development.

Preferred Qualifications:

• 15+ years of progressive water/wastewater engineering experience, including the planning, design, and construction of municipal water/wastewater and reuse projects.
• Existing relationships with Northern California municipal water agencies, regional boards, or state funding entities.
• Experience in the preparation of engineering proposals for submission to clients and in business development.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate effectively with diverse audience groups, including clients, the public, regulatory staff, subconsultants, and internal technical staff.
• Demonstrated project management fundamentals and a proven track record of providing technical leadership to successfully deliver water and wastewater projects.
• Experience supervising other engineering professionals, and strong staff development, mentoring and management skills.
• A proven track record of leading technical engineering and successfully delivering water and wastewater projects, resulting in securing additional projects from clients.
• Experience with design-build, progressive design-build, or delivery models is preferred.
• Position requires business travel max (30%), at least in Northern California, and occasionally Southern California

Additional Information

• Sponsorship is not available
• Career Path: This role reports to the VP, California Water/Wastewater/Conveyance Division Manager. High performers have a clear trajectory to Regional Practice Leadership 
• Professional Development:  Engagement with the water industry through conferences serving as a thought leader and conference presenter, licensure, and technical training; Work on large water projects with the support and access to AECOM's global water technical network of 1,200+ staff Collaboratein large projects with our various divisions such as Environment, Buildings and Place (B+P), Digital, Transportation, Advisory, Client and Project Delivery, Program Management.
• The offered rate of compensation will be based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.