Entry Level Project Engineer - Water/Wastewater

Are you an early-career engineer ready to contribute on-site at wastewater treatment facilities (WWTF) while also growing your design skills?  

Join our 100% employee-owned team and support multi-year WWTF improvements with hands-on construction observation and office-based design support. You’ll collaborate with contractors, municipal staff, and senior engineers to deliver safe, compliant, and constructible solutions for our communities.

What You’ll Gain: 

• Paid Training and Mentorship – Learn valuable skills with hands-on guidance.
• Employee Ownership – Benefit from our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) and build your future.
• Career Growth – We support internal promotions and skill development. 

Goals & Responsibilities 

This position includes, but is not limited to, the following duties and responsibilities:

On-Site Construction Work

• Construction observation and review for wastewater treatment facility improvements, lift stations, utilities, and related infrastructure.
• Use measuring tools to verify materials, line, elevations, grade, etc. 
• Maintain accurate daily records and update project documentation using electronic reporting software.
• Communicate effectively with contractors, inspectors, engineers, and city staff to keep projects on track.
• Assist with RFIs, field clarifications, and as-built documentation.
• Identify discrepancies between design intent and actual field conditions.
• Respond to public inquiries and help address construction-related concerns.
• Work outdoors on real-world infrastructure projects that improve communities. 
• Travel between sites and adapt to varying construction schedules and weather conditions.

Design & Engineering Support 

• Assist with water/wastewater treatment and distribution/collection system design, rehabilitation, and upgrades.
• Prepare/support engineering calculations, design exhibits, technical memoranda, and reports.
• Develop and revise drawings and details using Revit, AutoCAD/Civil 3D (or similar CAD platforms).
• Support permitting and regulatory submittals at local, state, and federal levels.
• Assist with specifications, quantity takeoffs, and cost estimates.
• Incorporate field observations and as-built conditions into design updates and future phases.
• Participate in internal design reviews and QA/QC processes.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams (structural, electrical, mechanical, process).
• Support project documentation, file management, and coordination between offices.
  
  

Qualifications & Skills

The ideal candidate for this position will possess the following education, experience, and abilities:

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil, Environmental, or related Engineering discipline (0–6 years of experience).
• Interest in water/wastewater treatment, municipal infrastructure, and construction.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD/Civil 3D, Revit (or similar) preferred; exposure to design software is a plus.
• Strong work ethic, attention to detail, and willingness to learn.
• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions.
• Good communication skills for interacting with project managers, contractors, and the public.
• Flexibility to move between different project sites and locations. 
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation.
• Ability to meet deadlines, manage multiple tasks, work overtime when needed, and adapt to changing field/office priorities.
  

About Us

Ruekert & Mielke, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned civil engineering firm that has been empowering clients and employee owners to thrive since 1946. Together with our family of firms, Axiom Consultants and Outland Design, we tackle engineering challenges for a diverse set of clients across multiple sectors including government, agriculture, and real estate. 

Our team of engineers, environmental scientists, and technology experts work as an extension of our clients, offering exceptional planning, design, and construction management services. Combining experience, vision, and innovative technology, R/M serves as a trusted infrastructure ally to help “make community possible.” 

Visit www.ruekertmielke.com to learn more. 

Learn how you can “make community possible” as an employee owner at R/M! Watch Video