Water Systems Operator Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Veolia Group is a global leader in environmental services, operating across all five continents with nearly 218,000 employees. Specializing in water, energy, and waste management, Veolia Group designs and implements innovative solutions for decarbonization, depollution, and resource regeneration, supporting communities and industries in their ecological transformation.

Within this framework, Veolia's Water Technology Business brings together a dedicated team of experienced professionals committed to tackling the world’s most complex challenges related to water scarcity, quality, productivity, and energy. Together, we pursue a shared mission to create a more sustainable future.

Our Water Technology Business has an exciting opportunity available for a Field Service Engineer. The Field Service Engineer will be responsible for managing all aspects of water treatment plant commissioning, installation, and optimization, serving as a key interface between design engineering, construction teams, control systems, and customers.

Key Characteristics:

• Passion for water treatment engineering and process optimization
• Strong problem-solving and analytical mindset
• Self-motivated with ability to work independently and remotely
• Excellent customer relationship and communication skills
• Commitment to safety and technical excellence
• Adaptability to diverse clients, situations, and environments

Key Responsibilities:

Engineering Support

• Participate in Model Reviews, Engineering Design Meetings, and Safety in Design reviews to ensure accessibility, maintenance, and operability of process equipment
• Perform control system factory acceptance tests with clients and client-designated representatives
• Define problems, collect data, establish facts, and draw valid conclusions to improve operations and determine design viability
• Apply mathematical operations to water treatment chemistry calculations, plane geometry, chemistry formulas, test reliability and validity, budget analysis, and Time & Material (T&M) contract cost monitoring

Construction

• Serve as construction liaison between design engineering and construction teams during erection of Water Treatment Plants
• Identify and correct equipment alignment issues and plumb adjustment figures during installation
• Manage activities of outside vendors and suppliers, ensuring services and supplies meet project specifications and performance requirements
• Maintain strong safety mindset to ensure executed work reflects technical requirements within company safety standards

Commissioning

• Develop and execute Commissioning Schedules and Performance Plans for Water Treatment Plants
• Commission Water Treatment Plants by ensuring process equipment and control systems perform per specifications
• Perform PLC/HMI activities including Control System IO Checkout, system networking, program upload/download, ladder logic and function block understanding, code troubleshooting, and simple logic writing
• Provide technical instruction and assistance to customer representatives regarding installation, operation, calibration, repair, and maintenance at customer sites

Operations

• Develop Standard Operating Procedures and log sheets to document and monitor equipment operation
• Develop and execute classroom and hands-on training regarding operation and maintenance of process equipment
• Perform after-market services including site inspections, equipment inspections, and operator training
• Prepare timely and accurate technical reports for customer records and reference for future outages

Physical Demands

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; and reach with hands and arms. The employee frequently is required to stand; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; and talk or hear. The employee is occasionally required to walk and climb or balance. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, color vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.

Work Environment

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate; possible exposure to loud noise levels on site. Site assignments shall be in foreign countries and may involve accommodations at remote work camps. Many water treatment facilities are located outdoors, and work activities will be conducted in outdoor environments.

Education & Experience

Required:

• High School Diploma / GED / Home School Certification OR international equivalent 5+ years’ experience of service/maintenance or equivalent in an industrial environment
• Comprehensive knowledge of structural, mechanical, hydraulic, electrical, piping, welding specifications, and civil engineering notations
• Expert knowledge of water treatment systems and technologies including Reverse Osmosis, Ion Exchange, and Thermal systems
• Demonstrated ability to perform equipment startup, commissioning, and process optimization
• Strong water treatment chemistry knowledge and technical proficiency with ability to apply engineering principles to troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and problem resolution
• Advanced technical skills including competency with analytical instrumentation, calibrated tools, hand tools, and safe handling of chemically aggressive fluids (acids and bases)
• Working knowledge of electrical equipment, control systems, and safety protocols
• Valid passport and driver's license with ability to travel extensively (70-80% annually, ~250 days/year) throughout North America and internationally

Preferred:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering or College Diploma from an accredited institution with
• Experience in Commissioning, Construction, or Services
• Mechanical experience and hands-on know-how, particularly with water treatment equipment (pumps, valves, instrumentation, relief valves, regulators, pneumatic systems)
• Electrical experience and hands-on know-how, particularly with electrical panels and water treatment equipment
• Operating experience with water treatment equipment including evaporators, crystallizers, reverse osmosis (RO) systems, micro-filtration, clarification, and conventional filtration
• Training in Lock-Out/Tag-Out procedures
• Ability to plan multiple priorities and focus on the most important ones

Skills & Competencies

• Proven ability to work independently and remotely with cross-functional project teams, driving projects to completion with minimal supervision while meeting deadlines and commitments
• Strong customer relationship management skills with ability to balance external and internal stakeholder needs, present effectively to diverse audiences, and communicate complex technical information clearly
• Computer proficiency including word processing, spreadsheets, network operations, and database management for technical documentation and reporting
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with ability to create concise technical reports and deliver presentations to customers, clients, and internal teams
• Effective prioritization and multitasking abilities for managing multiple service projects and administrative responsibilities simultaneously
• Sound business judgment with ability to conduct risk-reward analysis, make strategic decisions aligned with organizational objectives, and contribute effectively within commercial team environments
• Strong mathematical skills and customer service orientation
• Ability to adapt quickly to new problems, clients, and situations

At Veolia, we realize diverse teams make smarter decisions, deliver better results, and build stronger
communities. We’re an organization that champions diversity and inclusion at every rung of the ladder
and are proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. Because our people are our greatest assets, we
also offer competitive compensation and benefits that include:

• Compensation - The salary range is tied to the market for similarly benchmarked roles.  The range is not an absolute, but a guide, and offers will be based on the individual candidate’s knowledge, skills, experience, and market conditions, as well as internal peer equity.  Depending upon all the preceding considerations for the final selected individual candidate, the offer may be lower or higher than the stated range: $40 - $46 an hour USD
• Medical, Dental, & Vision Insurance Starting Day 1!
• Life Insurance
• Paid Time Off
• Paid Holidays
• Parental Leave
• 401(k) Plan - 3% default contribution plus matching!
• Flexible Spending & Health Saving Accounts
• AD&D Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement

Disclaimer: The salary, other compensation, and benefits information is accurate as of the date of this posting. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.

****Applicants are required to be eligible to lawfully work in the U.S. immediately; employer will not sponsor applicants for U.S. work authorization (e.g. H-1B visa) for this opportunity****

Veolia does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiting firms. All vendors must have a
current and fully executed MSA on file before submitting candidates. Any unsolicited resumes and
candidate profiles will be deemed the property of Veolia, and no fee will be due.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.

As an inclusive company, Veolia is committed to diversity and gives equal consideration to all applications, without discrimination.