Contract Engineer Jobs in Appleton, WI (NOW HIRING)

Salary: $86,280.00 - $128,664.00 Annually
Location : 4401 Green Bay Road, Kenosha, WI
Job Type: Regular - Full Time
Job Number: 20260427
Department: Water
Division: KWU Engineering
Opening Date: 05/21/2026
Closing Date: Continuous
General Overview of Position
- STRONG INFRASTRUCTURE STARTS WITH STRONG ENGINEERS -
**This job opportunity will remain open until filled**
The Senior Project Engineer provides Professional Engineering services in the planning and design of water and wastewater projects and serves as the resident engineer or project manager in the construction of water and wastewater projects. Work is reviewed through conferences and written reports for results obtained. Performs other work as requested or assigned.
The KWU Engineering Department is responsible for reviewing, approving, and inspecting all sewer and water infrastructure within our system, including oversight of Utility awarded contracts to help rehabilitate and enhance our aging infrastructure. KWU Engineering also manages a variety of other programs such as: the Lead Service Replacement Program (LSRP), responding to locating requests, sanitary sewer televising inspections, manhole inspections, sanitary flow monitoring, water main leak detection, hydrant flow testing and maintaining/updating the KWU Geographical Information System (G.I.S.) database.
The Kenosha Water Utility offers a full benefits package which includes employer pension contribution (Wisconsin Retirement System), paid vacation/sick/holiday leave, health/dental/vision/life insurance, paid compensatory time and overtime for emergency work outside of regular 8-hour work day, tuition reimbursement and other benefits. Any questions regarding this recruitment should be directed to the KWU Director of Personnel & Administration at 262-653-4314 or
The Kenosha Water Utilityis a municipally-owned, fiscally independent public utility organized under authority of §66.0805 of the Wisconsin State Statutes and Chapter XXXII of the City of Kenosha General Ordinances. The Kenosha Water Utility provides water and wastewater services to more than 100,000 people in the Kenosha area, including the City of Kenosha, the Villages of Bristol, Pleasant Prairie, and Somers. Kenosha is ideally located off Interstate 94 on the southwestern shore of Lake Michigan between Milwaukee and Chicago. More information may be obtained at www.kenosha.org.
Example of Duties & Responsibilities

• Serves as the project manager and resident Professional Engineer on major water and wastewater projects to ensure compliance with contractual terms, project timeline, budgetary constraints, industry standards, uniform codes, local ordinances and State and Federal regulations.
• Designs water system and sanitary sewer system infrastructure replacement projects.
• Reviews plans submitted by consulting engineers and developers for impact on utility infrastructure and conformance with applicable regulations and standards.
• Supervises and mentors engineering staff: provides instruction, training and guidance; plans, coordinates, assigns and reviews work activities to established standards.
• Reviews project work site activities and inspection reports to ensure compliance with standards and quality requirements; meets with inspectors and contractors to discuss and resolve discrepancies.
• Reviews and processes contractor payment requests and release of performance bond funds within scope of authority.
• Writes technical specifications and engineering reports.
• Researches plans and records; files records, plans and reports.
• Participates in meetings and training events.
• Performs other related duties as assigned or required.

Note: The duties listed above are intended as illustrations of the various types of work performed by the person in this job classification. The above list is not all-inclusive. The omission of a particular job duty does not mean that the duty is not one of the essential functions of the position. Management reserves the right to assign employees in this job classification to duties not listed above if the duties are fairly within the scope of responsibilities applicable to this position. Further note that employment in this job classification does not create an employment contract between the Kenosha Water Utility (KWU) and the employee, and is subject to change by KWU as the needs of KWU and the specific department change over time.
Requirements
Required Education, Training and Experience:

• Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in civil or sanitary/environmental engineering.
• Minimum of five (5) years experience in utility engineering design and project, preferably with some experience in planning and assigning work activities for other engineering staff; previous experience with managing or designing wastewater treatment plant projects is desired, but not required.
• Or any combination of education and experience that provides equivalent knowledge, skills and abilities.
• Professional Engineer (PE) License in the State of Wisconsin
• Valid driver's license with a good driving record.

Required Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Knowledge of the civil engineering principles and practices as applied to the design, construction, and maintenance of public utility services and water/wastewater infrastructure.
• Knowledge of the principles and practices of project management and the evaluation of construction contract compliance.
• Knowledge of methods, material, and equipment used in construction, maintenance and repair projects.
• Knowledge of current construction costs for the preparation of estimates.
• Knowledge of environmental laws regulating water and wastewater utilities.
• Knowledge of the principles of record keeping and records management.
• Knowledge of applicable safety standards and regulations.
• Knowledge of and skill in using specialized engineering software applications including computer aided designing (CAD) and geographic information systems (GIS).
• Skill in the interpretation and application of engineering standards and procedures, applicable rules and regulations and utility or City policies and procedures.
• Skill in the review and evaluation of designs, details, estimates, plans, specifications and other technical engineering data and construction documentation, and in developing solutions based on findings.
• Skill in communicating effectively verbally and in writing.
• Ability to design public utility infrastructure projects and water/wastewater treatment plant systems.
• Ability to read, interpret and understand technical material and engineering documents.
• Ability to conduct research, and write and present reports in a clear and concise manner.
• Ability to supervise the work of technical personnel in design and construction projects.
• Ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with employees, management, other City departments, contractors, developers and the general public.
• Ability to use computer, laptop, tablet and other standard office equipment, technology and software.
• Ability to handle reasonably necessary stress.

Physical Requirements:

• Task involves walking over rough or uneven surfaces, and standing for an extended period of time.
• Tasks may require bending, stooping, crouching or kneeling.
• Tasks involve lifting, carrying, pushing or pulling items of light to moderate weight (up to 50 pounds), with infrequent lifting of items over 50 pounds.
• Tasks require eye-hand coordination in the operation of equipment, instrumentation and tools associated with job duties.
• Tasks may require sitting for an extended period of time.
• Tasks may involve ascending and descending stairs or ladders.
• Tasks may involve entering confined spaces.

Environmental Requirements:

• Tasks are performed in an office or the outdoors, at the water or wastewater treatment plant, or at a construction site, some of which may require exposure to adverse environmental conditions such as inclement weather, temperature variations, odors, toxic agents, noise, wetness, machinery, traffic hazards, and/or dust.

Sensory Requirements:

• Tasks require color, sound, odor, depth, and visual perception and discrimination.
• Tasks require oral communication ability

Other Requirements:

• May be required to work overtime during construction projects, emergencies or other events.

Method of Selection
Selection of qualified applicants will be based upon a rating of their training, experience and work record. The selection process may include written and/or oral examinations. Appointment and rate of pay will be made in accordance with the KWU Employee Handbook and the City of Kenosha Civil Service Ordinance. The Kenosha Water Utility reserves the right to further evaluate only those applicant who be meet the needs of our organization.
Why the City of Kenosha?
We offer a full benefit package, annual pay increases, generous paid time off and employee and community engagement opportunities for general full-time employees!
The City of Kenosha is taking on many exciting projects in the areas of large scale developments and technological advancements to keep Kenosha the vibrant and growing community we love -- Join us!
Most positions are included in a 17 step compensation plan. Most employees receive annual salary increases of 2.5% based on the current compensation plan. Additional across-the-board pay increases may occur annually.
Insurance
The City offers a high deductible health plan (HDHP) to eligible employees and their qualifying dependent(s) as of the first of the month following 30 days of full-time employment. All employees are required to pay a five percent (5%) monthly health insurance premium, which will be waived if the employee participates in an annual Health Risk Appraisal (HRA). Employees and qualifying dependents are responsible for any deductibles, co-payments, or other out-of-pocket costs associated with care received under the provisions of the plan(s).
The City offers dental insurance to eligible employees as of the first of the month following 30 days of full-time employment. There are two options for Dental Insurance: CarePlus (Dental Associates) and Delta Dental. CarePlus (Dental Associates) monthly premiums are paid for by the City. Employees are responsible for monthly premiums if enrolling in Delta Dental. Only one dental plan may be selected if enrolling.
The City offers vision insurance to eligible employees as of the first of the month following 30 days of full-time employment. This plan provides benefits (after applicable co-pay) including a comprehensive exam, eye glasses with standard single vision, etc.
The City holds an open enrollment period each calendar year. If the employee waives coverage of health and/or dental insurance upon hire, they must experience a qualifying life event as prescribed by the Plan's summary plan description in order to enroll for either health or dental insurance at any other time during the plan year. Employees who do not experience a qualifying life event must wait for the open enrollment period to elect coverage. Insurance benefits are subject to unilateral changes by the City.
We participate in the This is a pension plan. We match the employee contribution amount monthly for general employees. The current contribution rate for general and teacher employees can be found
Term group life insurance coverage is provided to employees who participate in the WRS through the The premium for Basic Plan coverage is paid by the City for active employees.
Employees may elect to defer part of their income into a 457(b) retirement plan through , or the
Employees enjoy numerous types of paid time off.
Employees earn up to 12 days of sick leave per year. Sick leave can be carried over year after year & never expires during employment.
Paid Vacation - available for use on January 1 each year! (pro-rated your first year of employment)
Years of Service Days/Hours per Year
Less than 1 year 12 days (96 hours)
After 1-5 years 15 days (120 hours)
After 6-10 years 17 days (136 hours)
After 11-15 years 19 days (152 hours)
After 16-20 years 21 days (160 hours)
After 20 years 25 days (200 hours)
Employees may carry over eighty (80) hours of unused vacation leave into the next calendar year.
We observe 12 paid holidays & additional paid floating holidays!
New Year's Day Independence Day (July 4th) Christmas Eve Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Labor Day Christmas Day
Friday before Easter Thanksgiving Day New Year's Eve Day
Memorial Day Day after Thanksgiving
Juneteenth
Employees receive at least two (2) paid floating holidays per year. Holiday observance schedule may vary by department.
Duty-Related Death Benefit
One year's salary is paid to the named beneficiary of an eligible employee who is killed in the line of duty.
Health and Wellness Clinic - Employees (and covered spouses) who elect health insurance coverage and complete the annual HRA may utilize the City's onsite Health and Wellness Clinic, which is staffed by a Nurse Practitioner and Registered Nurse. Services provided by the Clinic may be subject to a co-payment, as prescribed by City policy and IRS guidelines.
Health Savings Account - The health insurance plan offered by the City qualifies for a Health Savings Account (HSA) as defined by the IRS. Johnson Bank has waived