The Rising Demand for Waste Water Project Engineers
- Lorena Luna
- Jul 29
- 3 min read

How ATC EXPERTS Connects Talent to Critical Infrastructure Projects
Across the United States, cities are facing an urgent need to upgrade, expand, and modernize their water and wastewater systems. This surge in infrastructure activity has triggered a significant increase in demand for highly skilled Waste Water Project Engineers—a trend that is reshaping the hiring landscape from coast to coast.
Why Is Demand Growing Nationwide?
1. Aging Infrastructure:Much of the nation’s water and wastewater infrastructure is nearing or exceeding its intended lifespan. High-profile failures and the looming risks associated with outdated systems have forced municipalities and utilities to prioritize modernization projects. Cities like Houston, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, Denver, and Atlanta are investing heavily in both repairs and new construction.
2. Population Growth:America’s fastest-growing metro areas, particularly in the Sunbelt and Southeast, are experiencing explosive population growth. This brings with it a surge in water demand and wastewater output, requiring expanded treatment capacity and new distribution networks.
3. Evolving Regulations:Tighter EPA and state requirements on water quality, stormwater management, and discharge standards mean that treatment plants must upgrade systems and processes. Compliance is not optional—engineers who can lead these technical overhauls are in high demand.
4. Climate Resilience:With increased flooding, droughts, and severe storms, municipalities are investing in resilient, future-ready water infrastructure. Engineers who understand both legacy systems and innovative new technologies are vital for building sustainable solutions.
5. Historic Federal Investment:The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and similar funding streams are injecting billions into water and wastewater projects nationwide, creating a pipeline of opportunities for engineering professionals.
What Skills Are Employers Looking For?
Based on recent hiring trends and our own client engagements, employers are seeking Project Engineers who can:
Lead multi-phase engineering projects in water/wastewater, from conception through design and construction.
Apply strong technical knowledge of hydraulic modeling, municipal water and wastewater design, and relevant software tools (e.g., SewerGEMS, InfoWorks, AutoCAD).
Manage teams and schedules, ensuring quality project delivery on time and within budget.
Interpret and implement regulatory standards and local, state, and federal compliance requirements.
Communicate effectively with stakeholders, including municipal clients, contractors, and in-house teams.
Demonstrate a proven track record with similar projects—ideally with experience working in rapidly growing or urbanizing metro areas.
From project managers with deep municipal experience to engineers skilled in hydraulic modeling and advanced digital tools, these professionals are critical to the success of infrastructure upgrades.
How ATC EXPERTS Is Meeting the Challenge
At ATC EXPERTS, we pride ourselves on staying ahead of industry trends—and delivering the project-ready talent that our clients need to succeed. Our talent pipeline includes engineers who:
Have led the design and execution of major water/wastewater projects in top cities like Houston, Dallas, Los Angeles, Chicago, and beyond.
Are proficient in both traditional and next-generation design tools.
Bring a strong understanding of evolving regulations and environmental compliance.
Can lead and collaborate across multi-disciplinary project teams, ensuring seamless project delivery.
We leverage deep market intelligence and an expansive network of engineering professionals to connect our clients with the expertise required to tackle today’s infrastructure challenges. Whether you’re planning new development or upgrading legacy systems, our candidates are ready to hit the ground running.
Ready to Build for the Future?
If your city or company is ramping up water/wastewater infrastructure projects and needs proven engineering talent, ATC EXPERTS is here to help. Contact us today to learn how we can support your hiring needs—and together, let’s build the resilient, sustainable systems our communities depend on.
ATC EXPERTS
For the Good of Tomorrow
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