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// Water & Wastewater Engineering Recruiting — CA
Water & Wastewater Recruiter
Los Angeles, CA
Following the 2021 Hyperion plant failure, Los Angeles committed to Operation NEXT — full water recycling of the Hyperion plant's effluent by the mid-2030s — driving one of the largest potable-reuse engineering programs in the nation.
// Los Angeles Water & Wastewater Recruiting
Specialized staffing for Los Angeles water infrastructure
Metro Associates is a leading water and wastewater engineering recruiter providing specialized staffing solutions across Los Angeles and the Pacific West. We help firms and utilities hire licensed Professional Engineers (PE), process engineers, and construction inspection specialists across treatment, distribution, and collection-system disciplines — for projects reviewed under LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) and beyond.
Locally, that has included work like operation next potable reuse & advanced treatment — we match vetted talent to the regulatory, operational, and performance demands of that kind of water infrastructure program.
Recruiting expertise
- Water & Wastewater Treatment Plant Design
- Water Distribution & Collection Systems
- Stormwater Management & Drainage Design
- Hydraulic & Hydrologic Modeling
- Water/Wastewater Process Engineering
- Utility Infrastructure Rehabilitation
- Environmental Compliance & Permitting (NPDES)
- Construction Engineering & Inspection (CEI)
// Roles we place
Water & wastewater roles we place in Los Angeles
01Water/Wastewater Project Engineer (PE)
02Senior Process Engineer
03Water Resources Engineer
04Utility / Pipeline Design Engineer
05Water/Wastewater Plant Operations Manager
06Environmental Compliance Engineer
07Construction Engineer & Inspector (CEI)
08SCADA / Controls Engineer
09Water Resources Project Manager
10Director of Water/Wastewater Engineering
// Skills we screen for
Water & wastewater skills & software we recruit for in Los Angeles
Every submission is held to the same standard: real fluency in the modeling software, licensure, and codes the role demands.
AutoCAD Civil 3DBentley WaterGEMSBentley SewerGEMSBentley HAMMER (surge analysis)EPANETHEC-RAS / HEC-HMSInfoWorks ICMBioWin (process modeling)ArcGIS / utility GISCityworks / Lucity (asset management)Bluebeam RevuProfessional Engineer (PE) licenseGrade IV Water/Wastewater Operator certificationNPDES permitting fluencySCADA & instrumentation (Ignition, Wonderware)Pump station designMembrane & UV treatment systemsTrenchless rehabilitation (CIPP) methodsConfined space / collection system safety (OSHA)State DEP/DEQ regulatory fluency
// 2026 hiring trends
2026 Los Angeleswater & wastewater hiring
In 2026, the the Pacific West market is defined by aging-infrastructure replacement, PFAS and emerging-contaminant compliance, and federally funded resiliency programs. Demand for licensed process engineers and inspection specialists who can deliver permit-compliant, resilient systems is at an all-time high.
Representative 2026 compensation
Process Designer / CAD Technician$58,000 – $80,000
Water/Wastewater Engineer (EIT)$68,000 – $92,000
Treatment Process Engineer$90,000 – $130,000
Plant Operations & Maintenance Manager$95,000 – $135,000
Licensed PE (Mid-Level)$100,000 – $145,000
Collection & Conveyance Engineer (PE)$105,000 – $145,000
Senior Project Manager$140,000 – $185,000+
Director of Water/Wastewater Engineering$175,000 – $245,000+
Ranges vary by firm, licensure, and project mix; figures are directional for the Los Angeles metro.
// Projects we support
Supporting Los Angeleswater & wastewater programs
Operation NEXT potable reuse & advanced treatment
Hyperion Water Reclamation Plant modernization
Groundwater replenishment & spreading grounds expansion
Stormwater capture & LA River greenway projects
Lead service line & aging pipe replacement
// FAQ
Water & wastewater recruiting in Los Angeles — FAQ
Do you place water and wastewater engineers in Los Angeles, CA?
Yes. Our water and wastewater search practice covers Los Angeles and the Pacific West, placing PEs, process engineers, and inspection specialists on treatment, distribution, and collection-system work.
What water/wastewater roles do you recruit for in Los Angeles?
We fill Water/Wastewater Project Engineer (PE), Senior Process Engineer, Water Resources Engineer, Utility/Pipeline Design Engineer, SCADA/Controls Engineer, and Director of Water/Wastewater Engineering roles.
How quickly can you fill a water/wastewater position in Los Angeles?
Our pre-vetted national pipeline usually puts a qualified CA shortlist in front of you within days — every placement backed by our guarantee.
Do you recruit for NPDES permitting and utility compliance work?
Yes. We recruit engineers fluent in NPDES permitting, SCADA and instrumentation, and utility infrastructure rehabilitation, reviewed under LA Sanitation & Environment (LASAN) and California's regulatory requirements.
// Why partner with us
Why Los Angeles firms partner with Metro Associates
Multi-State Licensing Expertise
We understand NCEES comity and the complexities of multi-state PE licensure.
Passive Candidate Acquisition
Our recruiters reach high-performers who are not actively on job boards.
Scalable Staffing Solutions
From a single PE to an entire treatment-plant design team for a multi-year program.
Regulatory & Codes Fluency
Fluency in Clean Water Act / NPDES permitting, state DEP/DEQ requirements, and SRF-funded project compliance.
Hiring water & wastewater engineers in Los Angeles?
Tell us about the role — we'll deliver a vetted shortlist of licensed CA water and wastewater talent, backed by our placement guarantee.
Other markets we serve
New York, NYChicago, ILHouston, TXPhoenix, AZPhiladelphia, PADallas, TXAtlanta, GAMiami, FLSeattle, WADenver, COBoston, MAMinneapolis, MNDetroit, MICharlotte, NCNashville, TNPortland, ORLas Vegas, NVColumbus, OHSalt Lake City, UTKansas City, MOIndianapolis, INMilwaukee, WIRichmond, VABaltimore, MDNew Orleans, LALouisville, KYOklahoma City, OKCharleston, SCNewark, NJSan Francisco, CASan Diego, CASan Antonio, TXAustin, TXJacksonville, FLOrlando, FLPittsburgh, PACincinnati, OHCleveland, OHSt. Louis, MORaleigh, NCWashington, DCHartford, CTAlbuquerque, NMBirmingham, ALMemphis, TNOmaha, NEBoise, IDProvidence, RIBuffalo, NY