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// Water & Wastewater Engineering Recruiting — DC
Water & Wastewater Recruiter
Washington, DC
DC Water's Clean Rivers Project, a $2.7 billion tunnel program feeding into Blue Plains — the world's largest advanced wastewater treatment plant — anchors one of the most technically demanding water-infrastructure markets in the country.
// Washington Water & Wastewater Recruiting
Specialized staffing for Washington water infrastructure
We're a specialized water and wastewater engineering recruiter for Washington and the National Capital region — 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 Washington
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 Washington
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 Washingtonwater & wastewater hiring
Heading into 2026, Washington'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 Washington metro.
// Projects we support
Supporting Washingtonwater & wastewater programs
DC Clean Rivers Project deep tunnel system
Blue Plains Advanced Wastewater Treatment Plant upgrades
Lead service line replacement (LeadFreeDC program)
Anacostia & Potomac River resiliency projects
Combined sewer overflow reduction program
// FAQ
Water & wastewater recruiting in Washington — FAQ
Do you place water and wastewater engineers in Washington, DC?
Yes — we actively recruit water and wastewater engineers for Washington and the National Capital region, from licensed PEs to process engineers and construction inspection specialists.
What water/wastewater roles do you recruit for in Washington?
Typical Washington 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 Washington?
With a national pipeline of pre-vetted water and wastewater professionals, we typically deliver a shortlist of qualified DC 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 DC Water and District of Columbia's regulatory requirements.
// Why partner with us
Why Washington 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 Washington?
Tell us about the role — we'll deliver a vetted shortlist of licensed DC 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, MORaleigh, NCHartford, CTAlbuquerque, NMBirmingham, ALMemphis, TNOmaha, NEBoise, IDProvidence, RIBuffalo, NY