Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Wastewater Engineer

🎯 Role Definition

A Wastewater Engineer designs, analyzes, and optimizes wastewater collection, conveyance, and treatment systems (including WWTP process design, collection systems, pump stations, biosolids, and odor control). This role ensures regulatory compliance (NPDES, state permits), improves plant performance (BOD/TSS removal, nutrient reduction), supports capital projects from feasibility through construction, and collaborates with operations, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders to deliver resilient, cost-effective solutions. Candidates should demonstrate strong process engineering, hydraulic modeling, permit writing, construction oversight, and project management skills.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Graduate / Entry-Level Wastewater Engineer or Water Resources Engineer
Wastewater Plant Operator / Process Technician transitioning into engineering
Civil/Environmental/Process Engineering intern focused on water/wastewater

Advancement To:

Senior Wastewater Engineer / Project Engineer
Project Manager / Lead Engineer (water/wastewater portfolio)
Principal Engineer or Technical Lead (Wastewater Treatment)
Water Resources or Utilities Manager / Director of Operations

Lateral Moves:

Collection Systems Engineer
Process Control / SCADA Engineer
Environmental Compliance Specialist / Permit Writer

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Lead planning, conceptual design, detailed design, and optimization of wastewater treatment processes including biological nutrient removal (BNR), activated sludge, membrane bioreactors (MBR), sequencing batch reactors (SBR), trickling filters, oxidation ditches, and tertiary treatment systems to meet effluent limits and operational reliability.
Prepare process design reports, calculations, mass balances, loadings, and process flow diagrams (PFDs) that define equipment sizing, retention times, aeration requirements, chemical dosing, and biosolids handling strategies.
Perform hydraulic and sewer collection system modeling using tools such as EPA SWMM, InfoWorks ICM, HEC-RAS, or equivalent to evaluate conveyance capacity, surcharge, infiltration/inflow, and evaluate rehabilitation or upsizing needs.
Use process simulation and modeling software (BioWin, GPS-X, MATLAB, or in-house models) to predict plant performance under varying flows and loads; optimize operational setpoints and upgrade alternatives.
Develop technical specifications, drawings (AutoCAD, MicroStation, Revit), scope of work, cost estimates, and bid packages for municipal and industrial wastewater capital projects, pump stations, and collection system improvements.
Manage project budgets, schedules, and deliverables; prepare project charters, milestone schedules, and progress reports for internal and external stakeholders to ensure on-time and on-budget delivery.
Oversee construction administration, provide engineering support during construction, review submittals, respond to RFIs, perform field inspections, and conduct punch-list and startup activities to validate that installation complies with design intent.
Provide process optimization and troubleshooting support to operations staff, including startup commissioning, performance testing, process tuning (aeration control, solids handling), and treatment upset diagnostics.
Prepare, review, and submit regulatory permit applications and compliance documents (NPDES permit renewals, WDRs, SPDES, biosolids land application permits), including effluent limit analyses and monitoring plans.
Conduct sampling and data analysis (composite/split sampling, lab coordination) to establish baseline performance, investigate compliance violations, and support process studies and pilot testing.
Design and specify mechanical and electrical equipment including pumps, blowers, clarifiers, screens, grit removal systems, chemical feed systems, centrifuges/dewatering equipment, odor control units, and mixing systems.
Integrate instrumentation, controls, PLC programming, and SCADA strategies to enable robust process control, remote monitoring, alarm management, and data analytics for performance and energy optimization.
Lead sewer condition assessments, rehabilitation planning, trenchless repair selection, and capital prioritization using CCTV inspection data, corrosion assessment, and structural evaluations.
Develop energy and sustainability strategies for wastewater facilities including energy audits, biosolids-to-energy opportunities, heat recovery, and optimization of aeration and chemical dosing to reduce costs and carbon footprint.
Conduct feasibility studies and pilot testing for new technologies (e.g., Anammox, thermal hydrolysis, chemical P removal) and prepare technical/economic comparisons and ROI analyses.
Implement asset management and CMMS integration for treatment plants and collection systems; prioritize renewals, lifecycle cost analysis, and create maintenance and inspection programs.
Prepare professional engineering reports, memos, and presentations for regulators, city councils, utility boards, and community stakeholders; explain technical issues in clear non-technical language.
Coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams including civil, structural, electrical, geotechnical, and environmental specialists; manage subconsultants and third-party vendors to deliver complete project solutions.
Support procurement, vendor evaluations, shop drawing reviews, testing and commissioning plans, and acceptance testing for specialty wastewater equipment.
Lead or participate in emergency response, contingency planning, and troubleshooting during sanitary sewer overflows (SSOs), bypasses, or other incidents; ensure timely notifications and corrective action plans per regulatory requirements.
Perform risk assessments, health and safety planning, confined space entry coordination, and ensure project compliance with OSHA, local codes, and safety best practices on site.
Mentor junior engineers and interns, provide technical guidance, review design work, and support continuous learning and knowledge transfer within the engineering group.
Develop and manage capital improvement program (CIP) planning documents, prioritize projects based on regulatory drivers, capacity needs, and asset condition, and support grant and funding applications where applicable.
Evaluate industrial pretreatment programs, develop permit limits, sampling plans, and coordinate enforcement or outreach to industrial dischargers to protect downstream treatment processes.

Secondary Functions

Support development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), O&M manuals, and training materials for operations staff following startup and commissioning.
Assist business development and proposal writing efforts for wastewater projects, including technical approach, staffing, and cost estimating for municipal and industrial clients.
Contribute to continuous improvement initiatives such as data-driven process control, benchmarking, and implementation of KPIs for treatment plant performance.
Participate in community outreach and public meetings to present project impacts, construction schedules, and rate or funding rationales.
Maintain awareness of emerging wastewater technologies, regulatory changes (EPA/state), and industry best practices through conferences, publications, and professional organizations (WEF, AWWA).
Provide support for odor assessment and mitigation programs including E/NS modeling, chemical scrubber design, and vegetative buffer recommendations.
Coordinate with laboratory staff for analytical program setup, QA/QC procedures, and interpretation of analytical chemistry relevant to wastewater (e.g., ammonia, nitrate, phosphorus, metals).
Assist in developing emergency bypass and contingency plans, ensuring quick mobilization of temporary treatment or storage during plant upsets.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Wastewater treatment process design and optimization (activated sludge, BNR, MBR, SBR)
NPDES/state permit writing, compliance reporting, and regulatory negotiation
Process modeling tools: BioWin, GPS-X, MATLAB, or equivalent
Hydraulic and collection system modeling: EPA SWMM, InfoWorks, HEC-RAS
CAD and drawing tools: AutoCAD, MicroStation, Revit; generation of P&IDs and civil/mechanical drawings
SCADA/PLC fundamentals and specification or coordination (Allen-Bradley, Siemens), telemetry and data historian integration
Pump station and mechanical equipment specification, selection, and performance curve analysis
Biosolids management and sludge handling design (thickening, dewatering, digestion, land application)
Odor control technologies and air emissions control strategies (biofilters, chemical scrubbers)
Construction administration, shop drawing review, RFI response, and field start-up oversight
CMMS and asset management systems experience (Infor, CityWorks, Maximo)
Strong Excel, Microsoft Project, and technical report writing skills; budget and cost estimating
Sewer inspection and rehabilitation techniques; CCTV interpretation and trenchless technologies
Laboratory QA/QC, sampling plans, and data interpretation for wastewater parameters

Soft Skills

Clear oral and written communication; ability to convey complex technical topics to non-technical audiences
Project management and organizational skills; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
Client- and stakeholder-focused with strong interpersonal skills and diplomacy
Analytical problem-solving and data-driven decision making
Leadership, mentoring, and team development capabilities
Adaptability and resilience in fast-paced, regulatory-driven environments
Attention to detail and accountability for quality and safety
Negotiation and vendor management skills
Public speaking and presentation skills for council/board meetings
Time management and prioritization under competing demands

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Chemical Engineering, or related engineering discipline with coursework in water/wastewater treatment, hydraulics, and process design.

Preferred Education:

Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering, Water Resources, or Wastewater Process Engineering.
Professional Engineer (PE) license in the relevant state; or progress toward licensure (EIT/FE completed).

Relevant Fields of Study:

Civil Engineering (water resources focus)
Environmental Engineering (wastewater treatment focus)
Chemical Engineering (process modeling / unit operations)
Sanitary Engineering / Water Resources

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 3–8+ years of progressive experience in municipal or industrial wastewater engineering, including design, construction support, and regulatory compliance.

Preferred:

5+ years with demonstrated project leadership on wastewater treatment plant design or major collection system projects.
Experience with NPDES permit negotiations, grant-funded projects, and public sector procurement processes.
Hands-on commissioning/startup experience and close collaboration with operations teams.

Keywords: wastewater engineer, wastewater treatment, WWTP design, NPDES, collection systems, pump station design, process modeling, BioWin, SCADA, odor control, biosolids, sewer modeling, asset management, construction oversight, regulatory compliance.