Water Science Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Water Engineer

Job Description

This Water Engineer role focuses on planning, designing, and managing capital improvement projects and system enhancements for drinking water and wastewater infrastructure. The position leads engineering activities across the full project lifecycle, from concept and design through construction, inspection, and economic analysis, while ensuring compliance with construction and design standards and non-operational regulatory requirements. The role offers the opportunity to work on innovative drinking water projects in a supportive environment that values work/life balance and a comfortable, flexible culture.

Responsibilities

• Develop, coordinate, and manage capital improvement projects for drinking water and wastewater systems, including planning, design, construction, inspection, and economic analysis.
• Manage capital projects involving source water, water supply, treatment facilities, pumping stations, distribution networks, and treated water storage for drinking water systems.
• Manage capital projects for wastewater systems, including collection systems, pumping facilities, and treatment plants.
• Oversee and maintain construction standards and design standards to ensure consistent, high-quality engineering practices across all projects.
• Lead and coordinate non-operation-related regulatory compliance efforts to ensure that engineering and construction activities meet applicable regulations and guidelines.
• Coordinate and review technical analyses and research related to water system design, using computer simulations and hydraulic modeling techniques.
• Monitor and supervise engineering work for minor and major water system expansions, including the integration of additional users and new service areas.
• Establish, manage, and continuously update a program for water distribution system hydraulic analysis, ensuring accurate modeling and performance assessment.
• Review and interpret hydraulic modeling results to support system planning, design decisions, and optimization of water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to ensure projects align with organizational goals, regulatory requirements, and budget constraints.
• Apply knowledge of chemical reactions and processes to support the design and operation of drinking water and wastewater treatment systems.
• Prepare and review engineering drawings, plans, and technical documents using AutoCAD and Civil 3D software.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced team members, as appropriate to experience level.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives in water and wastewater system design, operation, and performance through research, analysis, and implementation of best practices.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering.
• Ability to obtain a Professional Engineering License in Civil Engineering in the State of Iowa within five years of hire.
• Experience designing or operating drinking water and/or wastewater systems is preferred.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD.
• Proficiency in Civil 3D.
• Knowledge of chemical reactions and processes relevant to water and wastewater treatment.
• Familiarity with hydraulics and hydraulic modeling for water distribution and wastewater collection systems.
• Experience or familiarity with civil engineering principles and practices.
• Experience or familiarity with water and wastewater systems, including water distribution and wastewater collection.
• Ability to coordinate and manage engineering projects from planning through construction and inspection.
• Strong analytical skills to perform technical analysis, computer simulations, and hydraulic modeling.
• Ability to oversee and maintain construction and design standards.
• Strong organizational and project management skills to handle multiple capital improvement projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience as a water and wastewater or drinking water engineer.
• Experience with water distribution system analysis and water resources engineering.
• Experience with water analysis and chemical processing related to water and wastewater treatment.
• Experience with hydraulics in the context of water and wastewater systems.
• Experience with design of civil infrastructure related to water and wastewater.
• Drinking water experience, including treatment, distribution, or storage projects.
• Comfort working with computer simulations and hydraulic modeling tools for system design.
• evel, with appropriate training and development opportunities.
• Interest in working on new and exciting engineering projects involving drinking water.

Work Environment

The role is primarily office-based, with a preference for full-time in-office work to support collaboration and project coordination. A hybrid arrangement may be considered, typically involving three days in the office and two days working remotely. The work environment emphasizes a strong work/life balance and a comfortable culture that supports flexibility around personal life. The position involves regular use of engineering software tools such as AutoCAD and Civil 3D, as well as computer simulations and hydraulic modeling applications for water and wastewater systems. The culture encourages engagement with technically challenging projects while maintaining a supportive and balanced work setting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Newton, IA.

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $63.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Newton,IA.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 7, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.