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// Water & Wastewater Engineering Recruiting — NC
Water & Wastewater Recruiter
Raleigh, NC
Falls Lake's nutrient-management rules and explosive growth across the Research Triangle are pushing Raleigh Water to expand treatment capacity and tighten nutrient removal at its Neuse River plant simultaneously.
// Raleigh Water & Wastewater Recruiting
Specialized staffing for Raleigh water infrastructure
Metro Associates runs a dedicated water and wastewater search practice across Raleigh and the Research Triangle, connecting firms and utilities with licensed Professional Engineers (PE), process engineers, and construction inspection specialists reviewed under City of Raleigh Public Utilities (Raleigh Water).
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 Raleigh
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 Raleigh
We screen every candidate against one bar — the modeling software, licensure, and code fluency the role actually calls for, not a generic checklist.
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 Raleighwater & wastewater hiring
Heading into 2026, Raleigh's market is shaped by aging-infrastructure replacement, PFAS and emerging-contaminant compliance, and federally funded resiliency work. Licensed process engineers and inspection specialists who can deliver permit-compliant, resilient systems remain in short supply.
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 Raleigh metro.
// Projects we support
Supporting Raleighwater & wastewater programs
Neuse River Resource Recovery Facility nutrient upgrades
Falls Lake watershed nutrient-management compliance
New growth-corridor water main extensions
Lead service line inventory & replacement
Reclaimed water distribution expansion
// FAQ
Water & wastewater recruiting in Raleigh — FAQ
Do you place water and wastewater engineers in Raleigh, NC?
Yes. Metro Associates is a specialized water and wastewater engineering recruiter serving Raleigh and the Research Triangle, placing licensed PEs, process engineers, and construction inspection specialists on treatment, distribution, and collection-system programs.
What water/wastewater roles do you recruit for in Raleigh?
Typical Raleigh searches include Water/Wastewater Project Engineer (PE), Senior Process Engineer, Water Resources Engineer, Utility/Pipeline Design Engineer, and SCADA/Controls Engineer.
How quickly can you fill a water/wastewater position in Raleigh?
With a national pipeline of pre-vetted water and wastewater professionals, we typically deliver a shortlist of qualified NC candidates within days — every placement backed by our guarantee.
Do you recruit for NPDES permitting and utility compliance work?
Yes. Candidates are screened for NPDES permitting, SCADA/instrumentation, and utility rehabilitation experience, matched against City of Raleigh Public Utilities (Raleigh Water) and North Carolina's regulatory requirements.
// Why partner with us
Why Raleigh 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 Raleigh?
Tell us about the role — we'll deliver a vetted shortlist of licensed NC water and wastewater talent, backed by our placement guarantee.
Other markets we serve
New York, NYLos Angeles, CAChicago, 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, MOWashington, DCHartford, CTAlbuquerque, NMBirmingham, ALMemphis, TNOmaha, NEBoise, IDProvidence, RIBuffalo, NY