Capital Planning Engineer (Water Infrastructure)

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.

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 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.