Stantec is a place where you can apply your passions and collaborate with top talent on water management work that is impactful to our clients, our communities, and the industry at large. We see water in California a bit differently here—as a single, holistic system rather than disconnected networks split by jurisdictional and socio-economic boundaries. Our one-water perspective spans the life cycle of capture, use, reuse, and discharge, optimizing every facet of water management to sustainability serve the needs of people, agriculture, industry, and the environment.

Stantec is seeking an experienced Water Resource Engineer in the Pacific Region water business line. You will be an integral part of the leadership team, working closely with regional leadership in advancing a growing water resources project portfolio while building a robust community of practice around the integration of technical, environmental, economic, and social considerations regarding water resources. This role will enable you to apply and grow your expertise in water resources planning and engineering related to hydrology, hydraulics, water quality, water system operations, and facilities engineering to support decision-making and policy implementation to help our clients address complex water resource management challenges.

We’re looking for inquisitive professionals who are passionate about water resources management and experienced in watershed scale problem solving. Our Water Resources team tackles water challenges in California and throughout the Western US that address water availability and quality, changing water demands, vulnerability and risk to climate hazards, environment protection and enhancement, social priorities for water allocation, and financial considerations. Our projects assess the inter-disciplinary aspects of water supply reliability and quality, operations of complex watershed-scale systems, conjunctive management of surface and groundwater supplies, groundwater recharge and recovery, surface water storage, river system and reservoir operations, water transfers, flood risk reduction, water quality and salt management, water-related power resources, river restoration and flow regimes, fish passage, economics, financing, and more. Your role will include leading a growing team, developing and maintaining client relationships, managing large and complex water resource planning projects, mentoring staff and advancing a collaborative environment of knowledge sharing, and contributing technically at the interface of engineering, management and policy.

Your Key Responsibilities

The following outlines key performance aspects and responsibilities that we anticipate with your role. These responsibilities and expectations are organized according to the four pillars of our business: winning work, doing work, managing our business and staff, and innovating.

WIN – Business Development

• Identify trends and leverage your knowledge of the water industry, water market and clients to guide pursuit strategies with federal, state, regional and private clients.

• Grow Stantec’s inter-disciplinary water resources planning and management business in the Pacific Region and throughout the western US with a focus on multi-purpose water management systems.

• Engage our clients in meaningful discussions about their most critical issues and translate those discussions into opportunities to deliver solutions.

• Manage key client relationships and target key clients and pursuits including large water resources programs and strategically important emerging opportunities.

• Lead and support the business in decision making such as overall strategic direction, goal setting, identifying clients, market challenges and opportunities.

• Prepare proposals, provide strategic insight and lead technical aspects of marketing efforts.

• Enhance Stantec’s brand presence and reputation in the industry through active participation in national professional associations/committees.

DO – Project Work

• Provide leadership for projects in the Pacific Region and West as well as projects in other parts of the US and world, performing a variety of tasks to plan, execute and deliver water resources planning and management services.

• Serve as Project Lead and provide project leadership for water resources planning and management assessments of multi-objective water resources projects and policies involving agricultural, municipal and industrial, and environmental water uses, hydropower, flood risk management, and other purposes.

• Apply your knowledge of, and experience in Western water policy, infrastructure planning, design, and construction to principles and practices for water resources planning, engineering/design, and management projects.

• Remain current on policies and regulations and establish working relationships with clients and officials.

• Coordinate with Stantec leadership and client contacts routinely to explore future opportunities, budget planning, and staff resourcing needs.

MANAGE – Project Work

• Effectively lead, challenge, and inspire staff to work together by being a visible leader of our water resources planning and management business and being accessible to staff.

• Help further develop and grow a team of high performers through project assignments, exposure to different levels of responsibility, interaction with clients and stakeholders, and guidance on their participation in professional organizations and events.

• Track performance of projects, from client and Stantec perspectives. This includes cost, schedule, and quality performance requirements.

• Mentor and coach developing professionals to guide their career development objectives.

INNOVATE – Technical Growth and Innovation

• Collaborate with Stantec’s Office of Growth/Innovation to support global knowledge sharing groups that foster and grow innovative ideas to address water resource management challenges.

• Develop and deploy innovative solutions to address regulatory drivers, aging infrastructure, cost efficiency and other market drivers.

Qualifications - External

Leadership:

• Skilled leader and collaborative team player capable of building relationships both internally and externally.

• Skilled communicator in both oral and written communications.

• Skilled at building consensus and cooperation with staff at all experience levels.

• Skilled at inspiring, motivating and holding team accountable for delivery of innovative water resource management solutions.

Technical Expertise:

• Recognized industry leadership in inter-disciplinary planning of multi-purpose water resources projects.

• Experience and expertise with policy, technical analysis, and integration of diverse expertise to support water resource planning and management projects.

• Experience in managing staff, prioritizing activities, and assigning tasks to meet project targets, budgets, and deliverables.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor of Science Degree or higher in civil, environmental, or agricultural engineering or related engineering field; master’s or doctorate degree in related field preferred

• Professional engineering license required

• Proven subject expertise; typically, 20 or more years of experience, including supervisory, management or fiscal responsibilities.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for working in diverse team environments with staff, clients, and stakeholders.

This description is not a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that may be required of the employee and other duties, responsibilities and activities may be assigned or may be changed at any time with or without notice.

Pay Range:

• Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ Areas-$166,300.00 - $257,800.00 Annually

Primary Location: United States | CA | Sacramento
Organization: BC-1840 Water-US Pacific
Employee Status: Regular
Business Justification: New Position
Travel: No
Schedule: Full time
Job Posting: 23/02/2026 09:02:58
Req ID: 1004515

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.