Job Description
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Job Title: Principal Planning Engineer (Water Resources)
Posting Start Date: 11/20/25
Job Description:
Primary Role
The Principal, Engineering Planning is responsible for strategic long-term water and wastewater system planning and recommending projects or approaches to address complex issues related to source of supply, treatment, storage, pumping and transmission of water and wastewater.
The analysis and recommended solutions could have a major impact on the performance and operational integrity of water and wastewater systems within American Water. The Principal Planning Engineer has technical and project management supervision over consulting Project Managers/Engineers, and/or project support engineers or technicians.
This position is also responsible for conducting or reviewing water and wastewater system capacity and service evaluations associated with water service extension projects or other potential service growth opportunities. Prepare or assist in the preparation of detailed asset investment plans considering the cost, timing, prioritization, operational need and risk, strategic investment fit and other pertinent factors surrounding individual projects or investment programs.
Key Accountabilities
- Coordination and preparation of strategic water and wastewater system planning studies (comprehensive or targeted, issue-based studies as appropriate) as assigned.
- Preparation and maintenance of asset investment plans and strategic capital expenditure plans as assigned. Plans to accurately address operational needs, operational efficiencies, asset management and strategic investment goals set by the State/Corporation based upon prioritization models.
- System capacity evaluations, analysis of source, treatment, distribution/collection, pumping & storage, or other system deficiencies as assigned to support ongoing operations, service extension requests or regional growth opportunities.
- Ability to serve as a competent technical resource on Water and Wastewater System Planning matters including capital planning, safe yield analysis, demand/load projections, treatment adequacy, collection, transmission and distribution adequacy, computerized hydraulic modeling and analysis, water conservation, regionalization.
- Support Company-wide performance goals and targets and Corporate Engineering initiatives established by senior leadership.
Knowledge/Skills
- Demonstrated high competency in water/wastewater system comprehensive master planning and capacity, condition, and performance assessment of related facilities, pipeline system hydraulic modeling or equivalent water/wastewater system design experience.
- Broad knowledge of Engineering (planning, design, construction) related to water and/or wastewater. Strong knowledge of regulatory developments, new technology and current trends in water quality, treatment, and engineering economics. Applicable knowledge of water resources industry, business, and environmental regulatory field.
- Strong process, project, and program management skills.
- Strong quantitative skills (e.g., analytical, technical, problem solving).
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills (e.g., fluency in report writing and presentations).
- Effective interpersonal skills (e.g., persuasion, negotiation, listening, cooperation, tact, diplomacy, problem solving, internal consulting).
- Leadership presence (e.g., ability to deal effectively and maintain collaborative relationships with Company senior management and other key internal and external stakeholders).
- Ability to influence the organization to drive operational work and resource planning activities.
- Demonstrated ability to effectively solve routine and non-routine issues, developing possible solutions to problems and challenges.
- Ability to execute with urgency, while also maintaining project management discipline and stakeholder engagement.
- Financial analysis skills, including budget management, business modeling, and basic accounting knowledge.
Experience/Education
- Bachelors degree in engineering required (Environmental or Civil preferred). Advanced management or technical degree preferred.
- 12+ years experience in water resources engineering.
Travel Requirements
- Periodic travel with overnight stays required; generally, less than 10% of total time is anticipated away from office.
Certifications & Licenses
- Professional Engineering (PE) license required.
Work Environment
Primarily in the office with occasional work in the field at water/wastewater facilities to conduct site investigations and hold onsite project kick-off and review meetings.
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Competencies
Champions safety
Customer obsessed
Cultivates innovation
Nimble learning
Drives Results
Collaborates
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