About this opportunity
HDR lists this Southern California Water Treatment and Reuse Leader opportunity in san diego, California. Review the employer’s description below for duties, qualifications and application requirements.
Job description
The Southern California Water Treatment and Reuse Leader
This key role within HDR’s growing Southern California Water Business Group will develop and implement strategies for increasing HDR’s share of the water treatment market in Southern California and supporting reuse market growth across California and the U.S. The role is senior, high‑visibility, and has hybrid flexibility with direct impact on marquee programs across the region.
In 2024 Engineering News Record ranked HDR sixth in size of business in the important Water category. The Water Business Group offers a comprehensive breadth of services enabling holistic approaches to One Water challenges.
What You’ll Do
Lead strategy and delivery for drinking water and potable reuse (IPR/DPR) pursuits and projects across SoCal; grow client accounts and win work.
Guide advanced treatment process selection and design (UF/MF, RO/NF, UV/AOP, GAC/IX), pilots, and commissioning; troubleshoot operations and optimize performance.
Build, mentor, and scale multidisciplinary teams; partner with technical directors on QA/QC and design excellence.
Shape market presence through speaking, publishing, and committee leadership (AWWA, WateReuse, CWEA/WEF).
Coordinate programmatic delivery (design‑build/CMAR/progressive design‑build), asset management, and digital enablement (SCADA, data analytics, digital twins).
Support clients with funding strategy (WIFIA/SRF/grants), regulatory readiness (e.g., LCRR, PFAS compliance), and capital planning.
The HDR Advantage
Opportunity to grow water treatment and reuse capacity and capabilities in Southern California while shaping market strategy and a regional growth plan.
Access to major local and national water treatment and reuse conferences with resources for abstracts, panels, and featured speaking.
Leverage an expanding portfolio of national projects covering a wide range of facility capacities, treatment goals, and delivery mechanisms.
Application of cutting‑edge research in advanced treatment residuals, PFAS destruction, and GAC reactivation.
Support from the One Water Institute’s technical expertise, laboratories, and field‑ready tools.
National PFAS and LCRR expertise to help utilities navigate new regulations.
Local Southern California experience in large conveyance design (pipelines, pump stations, intakes).
Access to a strategic communication team and asset management services.
California‑based capital planning, funding, grant writing, and affordability expertise aligned with Prop 218.
Data‑driven sector leadership focused on market trends.
Broad suite of internal services to deliver integrated One Water solutions.
Work Model & Locations
Hybrid flexibility (3 days per week in a Southern California office unless at a client site) with primary offices and clients across Los Angeles, Ventura, Long Beach, Claremont, Riverside, Irvine, and San Diego; periodic regional and national travel.
Relocation available for the right candidate.
Preferred Qualifications
10 years experience in water treatment design
Professional Engineer (PE)
Proven industry leadership
Team leadership experience
California experience preferred; relocation accepted
Active in industry associations
Expertise in traditional and advanced water treatment, pilots/commissioning, process optimization
Seller‑doer capability: client development, proposal leadership, strategic positioning
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
10 years of experience
Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
Maintains a professional or engineering registration and related technical experience
Experienced in development and management of diverse teams
Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on business class efforts
Active participation in employee‑owned culture is required
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.
Expected compensation range: $163,000 - $243,000.
Pay Transparency Location1: $163,000 - $243,000
Primary Location: United States-California-Irvine
Other Locations: United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-California-Rancho Cucamonga, United States-California-San Diego, United States-California-Ventura, United States-California-Riverside
Industry: Water
Schedule: Full‑time
Employee Status: Regular
BusinessClass: Water Treatment
Job Posting: May 19, 2026
At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.
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Worksite address
san diego, CA, 92189, US
Who can apply
Review the original listing for work authorization, qualifications and employer requirements.