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// Water & Wastewater Engineering Recruiting — AZ
Water & Wastewater Recruiter
Phoenix, AZ
With Colorado River shortages forcing Arizona's first-ever water cutbacks, Phoenix is fast-tracking direct and indirect potable reuse projects around its 91st Avenue treatment plant to secure a drought-resilient supply.
// Phoenix Water & Wastewater Recruiting
Specialized staffing for Phoenix water infrastructure
We're a specialized water and wastewater engineering recruiter for Phoenix and the Southwest — placing licensed Professional Engineers (PE), process engineers, and inspection specialists across treatment, distribution, and collection-system work.
From treatment plant upgrades to collection-system rehabilitation and stormwater compliance, we match vetted talent to the regulatory, operational, and performance demands of complex water infrastructure programs.
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 Phoenix
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 Phoenix
Every candidate we put forward is screened against the same bar: the modeling software, licensure, and code fluency the role actually 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 Phoenixwater & wastewater hiring
In 2026, the the Southwest 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 Phoenix metro.
// Projects we support
Supporting Phoenixwater & wastewater programs
91st Avenue WWTP advanced purification & reuse
Colorado River shortage contingency & supply planning
Groundwater recharge & aquifer storage projects
New River / Agua Fria pipeline extensions
SCADA modernization for citywide water system
// FAQ
Water & wastewater recruiting in Phoenix — FAQ
Do you place water and wastewater engineers in Phoenix, AZ?
Yes. Our water and wastewater search practice covers Phoenix and the Southwest, placing PEs, process engineers, and inspection specialists on treatment, distribution, and collection-system work.
What water/wastewater roles do you recruit for in Phoenix?
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 Phoenix?
Our pre-vetted national pipeline usually puts a qualified AZ 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 City of Phoenix Water Services Department and Arizona's regulatory requirements.
// Why partner with us
Why Phoenix 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 Phoenix?
Tell us about the role — we'll deliver a vetted shortlist of licensed AZ water and wastewater talent, backed by our placement guarantee.
Other markets we serve
New York, NYLos Angeles, CAChicago, ILHouston, TXPhiladelphia, 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