Water Resources Designer

Career Levels: Assistant Designer, Associate Designer, or Principal Designer - Water Resources

Build Your Career with RICK!

Looking to start or advance your career in water resources engineering? At RICK, you'll have the opportunity to develop your technical skills, learn from experienced professionals, and contribute to meaningful projects that help create resilient communities and infrastructure. As part of our collaborative, multidisciplinary Water Resources team in San Diego, you'll gain hands-on experience in hydrology, hydraulics, stormwater management, and engineering design while continuing to grow professionally and take on new challenges.

At RICK, we don't just work on projects; we help turn our clients' and communities' visions into reality. You'll have the opportunity to expand your expertise, develop meaningful professional relationships, and grow your career through hands-on experience, mentorship, and continuous learning. Backed by a people-first culture that values collaboration, innovation, and fun, RICK is a place where your contributions matter and your potential can thrive. Grow your career and make a difference with RICK by visiting www.rickengineering.com

This posting covers three career levels: Assistant Water Resources Designer, Associate Water Resources Designer, and Principal Water Resources Designer, and may be filled at the level that best matches the selected candidate's education, relevant experience, technical expertise, engineering capabilities, and leadership experience.

In this role, you will perform and support water resources engineering analyses, design, and technical documentation for a variety of public and private projects. You will work with project managers, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams to develop technically sound engineering solutions and deliver quality work products. Responsibilities and expectations will vary based on the selected candidate's experience and position level.

What You'll Do

Depending on your experience and position level, responsibilities may include:

• Perform hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for land development, transportation, drainage infrastructure, green infrastructure, watershed planning, and flood control projects.
• Prepare hydrologic calculations, hydraulic models, drainage studies, and supporting exhibits for storm drain systems, open channels, detention facilities, and other drainage improvements.
• Perform water quality and hydromodification management analyses, including stormwater treatment calculations, BMP sizing and design, and hydromodification modeling.
• Support floodplain studies and flood control projects, including riverine hydraulic modeling, floodplain mapping, and preparation of supporting documentation for FEMA map revisions.
• Prepare engineering calculations, conceptual designs, plans, technical specifications, and supporting documentation for stormwater infrastructure, BMPs, and stream restoration projects.
• Support watershed planning, drainage and water quality master plans, municipal stormwater programs, and regulatory compliance studies.
• Collect, review, and analyze engineering data, including topographic information, drainage infrastructure, hydrologic records, GIS data, and field observations.
• Prepare technical reports and supporting documentation, including drainage studies, Stormwater Quality Management Plans (SWQMPs), hydromodification management studies, feasibility studies, and engineering memoranda.
• Apply applicable engineering standards, design criteria, regulatory requirements, and local agency guidelines in the preparation of analyses and engineering deliverables.
• Organize and maintain engineering calculations, modeling files, design documents, and supporting records in accordance with project requirements and RICK's quality control procedures.
• Review and check technical work for accuracy, completeness, and consistency, and incorporate comments from project managers, senior engineers, clients, and regulatory agencies.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, designers, and other disciplines to complete assigned tasks within established project budgets and schedules.
• Identify technical issues, evaluate potential solutions, and communicate findings and recommendations to project managers and senior technical staff.

Career Levels

Candidates may be considered for one of the following levels:

Level

Typical Scope

Credentials & Experience

Assistant Designer WR

Performs assigned engineering calculations, modeling, data analysis, exhibits, and technical documentation under the guidance of experienced engineers. Develops proficiency in engineering methods, software, applicable standards, and quality control rocedures.

BSCE or equivalent degree.

0-3+ years of relevant water resources experience.

EIT preferred.

Associate Designer WR

Performs engineering analyses, modeling, design, and technical documentation with increasing independence. Manages assigned technical tasks, evaluates engineering alternatives, coordinates with project team members, ad reviews work for accuracy and completeness. Assists with technical guidance to junior staff.

BSCE or equivalent degree.

1.5-5+ years of relevant water resources experience.

EIT preferred.

Principal Designer WR

Independently performs and coordinates complex engineering analyses, modeling, and design assignments. Provides technical direction for assigned work, evaluates engineering solutions, reviews technical deliverables, and supports project managers with technical coordination, budgets, and schedules. Mentors junior staff and contributes to technical quality and project delivery.

BSCE or equivalent degree.

3-7+ years of relevant water resources experience.

EIT preferred.

What You Bring

We are seeking candidates with a foundation in water resources engineering, strong analytical and problem-solving skills, and an interest in developing technically sound engineering solutions.

Candidates should demonstrate technical experience or familiarity in one or more of the following areas:

• Hydrologic analysis, including Rational Method, Modified Rational Method, rainfall-runoff modeling, and drainage studies.
• Hydraulic analysis and design of storm drain systems, culverts, open channels, and related drainage infrastructure.
• Flood control and floodplain management, including riverine hydraulic modeling, FEMA Flood Insurance Rate Maps, and Letters of Map Change (LOMCs).
• Detention and retention basin analysis, flow control analysis, and stormwater infrastructure design.
• Stormwater management, including Low Impact Development (LID), hydromodification management, water quality modeling, and Best Management Practice (BMP) design.
• Watershed planning, drainage master plans, municipal stormwater programs, and water quality studies.
• Stream restoration, open-channel hydraulics, and sediment transport analysis.
• Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) compliance, Total Maximum Daily Load (TMDL) programs, and applicable Regional and State Water Quality Control Board requirements.
• Preparation of engineering calculations, technical reports, construction documents, supporting exhibits, and design plans.
• Application of local agency engineering standards, design manuals, and regulatory requirements.

The breadth and depth of technical expertise expected will vary depending on the position level. Candidates are not expected to have experience in every discipline listed above.

Engineering and Professional Skills

• Successful candidates will demonstrate capabilities appropriate to their experience level, including:
• Strong analytical, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills.
• Ability to interpret topographic information, engineering drawings, design files, and technical data.
• Ability to perform accurate engineering calculations and apply sound engineering principles and judgment.
• Attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, complete, and well-organized engineering work products.
• Ability to review and check one's own work, respond to review comments, and participate in technical quality control.
• Ability to organize and maintain engineering models, calculations, project files, and supporting documentation.
• Effective time management, including the ability to prioritize assignments, meet deadlines, and complete work within established budgets.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparation of clear, concise, and technically accurate documentation.
• Ability to work independently, as appropriate to experience level, and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Willingness to learn new engineering methods, software, and regulatory requirements and continue developing technical expertise.
• Ability to identify technical challenges, communicate concerns, and seek appropriate guidance when necessary.
• Ability to assist, guide, and mentor less-experienced staff, as appropriate to the position level.

Technical Software

Experience with one or more of the following engineering, modeling, and design applications is desirable:

• HEC-RAS, including 1D and 2D hydraulic modeling
• HEC-HMS
• EPA SWMM / PCSWMM
• ArcGIS Pro or other GIS applications
• AutoCAD / Civil 3D
• AES or comparable hydrologic and hydraulic modeling programs
• LSPC or similar water quality modeling programs
• Microsoft Excel and other engineering data analysis applications
• Other applicable drainage, floodplain, and water quality modeling software

Specific software proficiency requirements will depend on the candidate's technical background and position level. Candidates at the Assistant level should demonstrate the ability to learn and apply appropriate engineering software, while candidates at the Associate and Principal levels should demonstrate increasing proficiency in independently performing, evaluating, and reviewing technical analyses.

Rick Engineering Company (RICK) is an Equal Opportunity

Rick's employees are protected by laws designed to protect employees from discrimination on the bases of race, religion, color, sex, pregnancy, gender identity, sexual orientation, parental status, national origin, age, disability, family medical history or genetic information, political affiliation, military service, or any other non-merit based factor. These protections extend to all management practices and decisions, including recruitment and hiring practices, appraisal systems, promotions, and training and career development programs. Rick's employees are also protected against retaliation if they engage in a protected activity, whistleblowing, or the exercise of any appeal or grievance right provided by law.