Senior Engineer - Water Pipeline Infrastructure at Mojave Water Agency (CA) – Apple Valley, California

The Senior Engineer – Water Pipeline Infrastructure helps oversee and accomplish any day-to-day infrastructure engineering and asset management related functions for the Agency in close coordination with the Engineering Manager. Independently manages own workload and timelines.

Functional Competencies
Job-specific competencies critical to success:

Competency	Typical Proficiency Expected for this Job
Critical Thinking & Problem Solving	Independently diagnoses and resolves engineering or construction issues. Weighs risks, considers multiple solutions, and adapts methods to specific project constraints. Exercises judgment to engage others as appropriate.
Project & Construction Management	Independently manages medium-scale projects through planning, procurement, and construction phases. Develops and oversees scopes, schedules, budgets, and technical documents. Leads construction meetings, processes change orders, and ensures compliance with contract terms, codes, and safety standards. Coordinates internal teams and external partners; uses project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Primavera) to monitor progress and reporting.
Technical Evaluations, Review, and Assessment	Independently reviews and assesses technical proposals, contractor submittals, and engineering designs. Ensures compliance with standards and project requirements. Designs and conducts credible technical evaluations related to water pipeline infrastructure function.
Water Pipeline Infrastructure Engineering and Maintenance	Helps manage water pipeline design and construction projects, including rehabilitation and replacement. Manages hydraulic modeling, condition assessments, and cost-benefit analyses. Helps resolve operational issues and ensures regulatory compliance.
Technical Communication	Independently prepares well-structured technical reports, memos, and presentations. Explains complex engineering concepts to non-engineers and contributes to Agency planning discussions.

Core Competencies
Proficiencies in the Agency-wide competencies expected for this role:

Competency	Typical Proficiency Expected for this Job
Strategic Agility	Considers department goals beyond their own tasks. Anticipates challenges, proposes solutions, and weighs trade-offs in a team or project context.
Operational Effectiveness	Plans and prioritizes team tasks to improve coordination and outcomes. Balances competing demands. Leads improvements in team workflows to enhance quality and consistency.
Collaboration	Collaborates proactively across teams and external partners to solve problems. Coaches less experienced colleagues.
Customer Focus	Anticipates customer needs and enhances processes using feedback.
Decision Making	Encourages collaboration and actively seeks and incorporates diverse perspectives and input. Makes tough calls within role and owns outcomes. Exercises judgment to say “no” to protect quality and integrity.
Emotional Intelligence	Manages emotions effectively and shows empathy. Adapts communication to others’ emotional states.

Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering, environmental engineering, mechanical engineering, or a related field is required.
• A graduate degree in one of the above-mentioned fields is preferred.

Experience

• 5 years minimum of progressively responsible professional engineering experience is required, including at least 2 years in project management or construction oversight.
• Experience in the planning, design, and implementation of water pipeline infrastructure projects is preferred.

Licenses and Certifications

• Valid California Class C driver’s license and current automobile insurance are required.
• Professional Engineering License, State of California is preferred.

Typical working conditions and physical demands required to perform the essential functions of the job include but are not limited to:

• Work in an office setting, primarily sitting, occasionally standing and walking
• Operate standard office equipment, including computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor
• Read printed materials and digital text and images
• Occasionally lift, carry, push or pull materials up to 60 pounds with the use of proper equipment
• Operate a motor vehicle to visit various Agency sites
• Work outside at infrastructure or construction sites, occasionally in cramped spaces, walking in operational areas, sometimes with uneven terrain and exposure to noise, dust, cold or hot weather, etc.
• Follow strict safety procedures and risk mitigation measures
• Occasionally may be required to interact with Agency customers or members of the public

This position can be hybrid—typically with three days a week in the Agency offices at 13846 Conference Center Drive, Apple Valley, CA—if the employee qualifies under Mojave Water Agency’s Remote Work Policy . In-office presence is expected on a flexible basis, depending upon departmental needs and in coordination with the Engineering Manager. Remote work isn’t guaranteed and may change over time.