Capital Planning Engineer (Water Infrastructure – Hybrid, 1–2 Year Assignment)

Locations: San Jose, Los Angeles, Chico, or Bakersfield, CA (Hybrid)

Employment Type: Full-Time (Staffing Assignment Through Innovation Consulting LLC)

Assignment Length: 1–2 years with potential for direct hire

Compensation: $119,000 – $182,000

About the Opportunity

Innovation Consulting LLC is hiring three Capital Planning Engineers to support a major California water utility’s capital planning and regulatory strategy for the 2027 General Rate Case (GRC).

This role is ideal for civil engineers who enjoy analytical work, early-phase design, and shaping long-term infrastructure investments. You'll analyze water system needs, develop capital project plans, and prepare justification documents used in critical regulatory filings.

These positions offer hybrid flexibility from one of four supported locations: San Jose, Los Angeles, Chico, or Bakersfield.

Responsibilities

Capital Planning & Engineering

• Develop short- and long-term Capital Improvement Plans (CIP) for assigned districts.
• Assess infrastructure conditions, operational data, and lifecycle costs.
• Perform preliminary engineering to define project scope, schedule, and budget.

Regulatory & GRC Support

• Prepare clear project justifications for use in regulatory filings.
• Support data requests, technical analyses, site tours, and settlement activities.
• Conduct quality assurance on estimates, schedules, and capital program submissions.

Data-Driven Analysis

• Review supply, storage, water quality, and operations data.
• Apply asset management principles, GIS insights, and engineering analysis.

Collaboration & Site Work

• Coordinate with engineering, operations, planning, and regulatory teams.
• Partner with external consultants and internal subject matter experts.
• Conduct periodic site visits to district locations (occasional travel required).

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or closely related field.
• 2+ years of engineering experience in water systems, utilities, capital projects, or infrastructure planning.
• EIT strongly preferred; PE preferred.
• Strong technical writing skills — ability to translate engineering analysis into clear, concise justifications.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and SharePoint.
• Valid California Driver’s License (or ability to obtain).

Preferred Experience

• CIP development, asset management, or capital planning
• Hydraulic modeling (InfoWater, WaterGEMS, InfoWorks)
• GIS experience (ArcGIS or similar)
• Cost estimating or basis-of-estimate development
• Water quality, treatment, or distribution system experience
• Work history with utilities, municipalities, or regulatory environments

Compensation & Benefits

Innovation Consulting LLC offers premium benefits beginning day one:

• Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• $6,600 Employee Only
• $10,320 Employee + One
• $14,040 Family
• Up to $5,000 rollover annually
• 401(k)
• 100% dollar-for-dollar safe harbor match up to 6%
• Additional discretionary match
• Immediate vesting
• Paid Time Off
• ~11 paid holidays
• 40 hours sick leave annually
• Vacation:
• 2 weeks (0–2 years)
• 3 weeks (3–4 years)
• 4 weeks (5+ years)
• No waiting period — benefits eligibility and accruals start immediately.

Why This Role Moves Fast

This engineering program is a top priority, and we are staffing three roles immediately. Talent with water systems, capital planning, utilities, or infrastructure analysis backgrounds typically advances quickly.

If you enjoy strategic engineering work with a high degree of impact — and want the possibility of converting to direct hire after the assignment — this is a strong career opportunity.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Innovation Consulting LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment.