CIVIL WATER Resources Engineer III-IV (San Luis Obispo)

At Wallace Group our people are our most valuable resource. We are committed to offering challenging work, competitive compensation and benefits, as well as opportunities for professional advancement and personal development.

Position Summary:
We are looking for a talented Civil Water Resources Engineer with a strong background in water resources planning and design. The ideal candidate has a minimum of seven years of progressively responsible experience delivering technical solutions for water supply, water quality, water/ wastewater/ recycled water master planning, water and sewer infrastructure modeling, utility design, and water/wastewater treatment design. This role supports both project delivery and technical analysis, with opportunities to grow into project management and client-facing responsibilities. This is an excellent role for someone who has mastered foundational design skills and is ready to take on larger, more complex assignments with increasing autonomy.

Responsibilities:

Preparation of engineering reports, plans, specifications, and estimates (PS&E) for various types of water resources and civil engineering projects, such as:
- Municipal public works infrastructure project design relating to water resource engineering (water, wastewater, stormwater, recycled water)
- Water and wastewater master planning
- Water and wastewater infrastructure hydraulic modeling
- Water supply engineering
- Recycled water systems feasibility studies and designs
- Water distribution system and pump station design
- Sewer collection system and lift station design
- Water and wastewater treatment system design
- Civil/water/wastewater design in support of development of wineries and other private and commercial projects
- Coordinate with regulatory agencies and support permitting

Project management and business development functions.
- Assist in with project management functions including scope, budget and scheduling control for complex civil engineering projects.
- Contribute to strategic business development efforts by supporting proposal and SOQ development, interview preparation and participation, and representing the firm in industry and community settings to expand market presence.

Requirements:

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field
Professional registration (licensed in California preferred)
Minimum of seven years of qualifying experience
Demonstrated proficiency in AutoCAD / Civil 3D
Strong understanding of relevant standards and regulatory requirements
Demonstrated proficiency in water and sewer modeling programs such as WaterCAD, InfoSWMM, and Aquanuity software

Additional Desired Qualifications:

Specific experience with GIS databases related to public agency utility systems including water, sewer, storm drain and others, utility master planning and preparation of utility Atlas maps
Experience with ArcGIS Pro

Compensation: $116,500 - $129,000 depending on experience

Wallace Group Benefits
We offer an outstanding benefits package to all regular, full-time employees including:

Paid holidays, sick leave, and a vacation package
Health Insurance
Wellness reimbursement program
Group Dental, Vision, and Life Insurance Plan offered for employees to purchase
Employer Paid Life Insurance
Pre-Tax 401(k) and Roth 401(k) Savings Plan
Long-Term Disability Plan
Plus, you get to work in beautiful San Luis Obispo!

EOE

About the company

Wallace Group is a multidisciplinary engineering and planning consultancy. The company provides civil and structural engineering, surveying, planning, landscape architecture, water resources, and construction support. It serves public agencies, developers, institutions, and property owners. Its operating model centers on project teams coordinating technical design, permitting, stakeholder needs, and field delivery. Teams work across engineering, surveying, planning, landscape architecture, inspection, project management, and administration. The organization combines built-environment consulting expertise with practical delivery for public and private clients.

Company Size

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Company Stage

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Total Funding

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Headquarters

Waitoa, New Zealand

Founded

N/A

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

Kari Wagner became COO in February 2026, signaling management continuity and succession.
Greg Hulburd became water resources director in January 2026, strengthening a core growth practice.
Current projects include Avila Beach Drive, Laguna Lake Dog Park, and desalination rehabilitation.

What critics are saying

Founder John L. Wallace faced felony conflict-of-interest charges, with court hearings continuing in 2026.
Public scrutiny from SLO County contract awards can damage municipal trust and future bids.
Heavy dependence on California public infrastructure budgets exposes revenue to procurement delays and election cycles.

What makes Wallace Group unique

100% employee-owned since 2026, aligning incentives across San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Salinas.
Central Coast specialization spans civil, transportation, water, surveying, GIS, and landscape architecture.
Golden Hill Union Road won ITE's 2024 Unusual Roundabouts Award in 2026.

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Benefits

Health Insurance
Wellness Program
Dental Insurance
Vision Insurance
Life Insurance
Disability Insurance
401(k) Retirement Plan
Paid Holidays
Paid Sick Leave
Paid Vacation

Wallace Group

Water Resources Engineer 3-4

About the job