Lead Engineer, Water Resources

The Opportunity

Ulteig is seeking a motivated Lead Water Resources Engineer to join our Water & Environment team with a focus on stormwater planning, management, and regulatory consulting. This role supports municipal and watershed-scale stormwater programs through planning, feasibility evaluation, hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, and regulatory strategy development.

The Lead Water Resources Engineer will work closely with clients and lead multidisciplinary teams to evaluate existing and future stormwater conditions, assess alternatives, and develop practical, implementable management strategies. This position emphasizes planning and feasibility-level modeling, data analysis, regulatory compliance support for stormwater, and watershed initiatives across urban and natural systems. The role is consultative in nature and supports clients throughout the planning and decision-making phases of projects.

What You'll Do

• Lead and support stormwater and water resources planning efforts, including watershed, basin, and municipal-scale stormwater studies and program development
• Lead and perform planning- and feasibility-level analyses for stormwater and drainage projects, including alternatives evaluations, risk assessments, and conceptual solution development
• Conduct and oversee hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and modeling to evaluate existing and future stormwater conditions using appropriate planning-level tools and methodologies
• Provide regulatory and permitting support related to stormwater programs and projects, including MS4, NPDES, and local and state stormwater requirements
• Support clients with stormwater management strategy development, compliance planning, and implementation guidance
• Coordinate with project managers, clients, and regulatory agencies to support planning studies, regulatory submissions, and stakeholder engagement
• Assist with project management activities such as scope development, schedules, budgets, and internal coordination for planning and consulting assignments
• Collaborate with engineers, planners, and scientists to integrate stormwater and water resources considerations into broader infrastructure and urban planning efforts
• Prepare technical memoranda, planning reports, exhibits, and regulatory documentation that clearly communicate analyses, findings, and recommendations to clients and agencies
• Contribute to quality management by applying consistent checking practices, documenting assumptions, and ensuring deliverables meet client and regulatory expectations.

What We Expect from You

• Bachelor’s degree (graduate preferred) in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Currently hold a California PE license or are eligible and able to pursue one within six months. 
• 4-6+ years of relevant experience in civil engineering, water resources engineering, or related disciplines.
• Solid understanding of hydrology, hydraulics, and stormwater management principles
• Experience with stormwater system design, drainage analysis, and feasibility-level evaluations
• Demonstrated understanding of stormwater BMP/GSI/NBS concepts, including typical project typologies (green streets, regional facilities, etc.) and treatment mechanisms
• Experience supporting or managing engineering projects, including coordination with clients and leading project teams
• Working knowledge of common engineering software and tools used for drainage and stormwater analysis, such as GIS or CAD software. (Hydrology or hydraulic modeling experience is beneficial but not the primary focus of the role.)
• Experience with data analysis, technical writing, and preparation of engineering deliverables
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to prioritize and multitask under strict deadlines
• Must be comfortable working in a highly collaborative team environment
• Demonstrated initiative and drive to succeed with new and challenging tasks
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with staff, management, public and external agencies
• Demonstrates openness to innovation by embracing and applying evolving technology and AI tools to enhance workflows, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement.
• Must have authorization to work permanently in the U.S.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

• Direct experience with modeling tools such as EPA SWMM, InfoWorks ICM, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, or PCSWMM, SUSTAIN, LSPC, or comparable platforms.
• Experience supporting or leading