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The Principal Engineer – Water Pipeline Infrastructure serves as the Agency's senior individual contributor engineering role, providing expert technical leadership across complex capital projects,infrastructurerepair andrehabilitation initiatives, and asset management programs. They lead multi-phase projects from planning through construction closeout, develop and implement Agency-wide asset management strategies and emergency response protocols, and function as the Agency's technical authority on water pipeline infrastructureincluding but not limited to design standards, materials, etc. Responsibilities include leading technical evaluation teams,facilitatingcoordination across multidisciplinary teams, andrepresentingthe Agency in technical discussions with contractors, regulatory agencies,stakeholders,and customers. The Principal Engineer works under the general direction of the Engineering Manager.Functional Competencies Job-specific competencies critical to success: Competency Typical Proficiency Expected at this Job Level Critical Thinking & Problem Solving Anticipates and mitigates potential project risks. Leads root cause analysis and develops innovative or cross-disciplinary solutions. Makes well-justified decisions under pressure. Project & Construction Management Oversees large, complex, or multi-phase capital projects. Develops and executes project delivery plans, risk management strategies, and QA/QC programs. Resolves high-level construction issues, including claims, disputes, and change negotiations. Ensures alignment with agency goals, regulatory mandates, and funding conditions; mentors project and construction managers. Technical Evaluations, Review, and Assessment Leads technical evaluation teams. Performs in-depth assessments of complex or innovative designs, value engineering proposals, and contract compliance. Provides expert recommendations. Water Pipeline Infrastructure Engineering and Maintenance Leads complex pipeline system projects involving advanced materials, trenchless technologies, or large-scale renewals/replacements. Develops and implements asset management strategies, preventive maintenance plans, and emergency response protocols. Technical Communication Leads technical discussions with contractors, regulatory agencies, and the Agency customers. Reviews and edits technical documents prepared by others. Facilitates coordination between multidisciplinary teams. Ensures all projects comply with applicable local, state, and federal requirements, including but not limited to SWRCB DDW Engineering Software Systems (CADD, GIS, etc.) Leads CADD, GIS, and/or other engineering software applications for complex water system analysis and decision support. Develops custom tools, dashboards, or workflows to support asset management, risk assessments, and capital planning. Coordinates data integration with other systems (e.g., CMMS, SCADA). Behavioral Competencies All Agency employees are expected to demonstrate the following behaviors: Competency Behaviors Communication Listens actively and asks clarifying questions. Communicates clearly, concisely and respectfully to coworkers and customers. Manages emotions constructively in routine and stressful situations. Accountability Follows through on commitments and updates others when plans change. Adheres to policies, safety standards, and procedures. Owns mistakes and takes corrective action. Collaboration Shares information and resources proactively. Recognizes and values others' expertise and responsibilities; seeks input when needed. Offers and requests help during high-demand or cross-team tasks. Continuous Improvement Adapts to new processes, technologies, and priorities. Identifies, suggests and helps implement improvement opportunities. 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 8 years minimum of progressively responsible professional engineering experience is required, including at least 3 years leading complex or multi-phase capital projects. Experience in the planning, design, and implementation of water pipeline infrastructure projects, including asset management, is preferred. Licenses and Certifications Valid California Class C driver’s license and current automobile insurance are required. Active Professional Engineering License, State of California is required. Typical working conditions andphysical demandsrequiredto perform the essential functions of the jobinclude but are not limited to: Work in an office setting, primarily sitting, occasionally standing and walking Operatestandard office equipment, including computer, keyboard, mouse, monitor Read printed materials and digital text and images Occasionally lift, carry,pushorpull materials up to 60 pounds with the use of proper equipment Operate a motor vehicletovisit 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 berequiredto interact with Agency customers or members of the public This position can be hybrid—typically with three days a week in the office 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 workisn’tguaranteed and may change over time.
Here's how to pick the right one and stand out in your application.
144.883Jobs
31.687IN
81%EN
That number is real. WorkMundi's database shows 144,883 open engineer roles across the world. India has the most with 31,687 jobs, followed by the United States with 30,084. If you just finished reading one job ad and felt paralyzed by choice, you're not alone—but this scale is actually an advantage. It means you can afford to be selective.
Start by geography and language. The majority of engineer ads—117,837 of them—have the job posting text written in English. Use that as one filter, but remember: the ad text language tells you nothing about whether the role actually requires you to speak English day-to-day. Read the job description carefully. Then check which countries have the volume you're targeting. Singapore, Poland, and Australia round out the top five after India and the US.
Next, learn who's hiring. Accenture has posted 2,801 engineer roles. andurilindustries, speechify, and jobgether are also actively recruiting. If you're applying to one of these names, research their hiring patterns and interview style before you apply. That homework pays off.
When you interview, expect the question every engineer hears: 'Tell me about a time you had to debug a problem that wasn't in your job description.' Have a specific story ready—not a general one. Name the tools, the deadline pressure, and what you learned. Hiring managers listen for whether you see problem-solving as part of the role itself, not a favour.