Lead Design Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Oct 2, 2026. First seen by Alion on Oct 1, 2026. Onterris scores B on the Alion truth index.
About Us
At Onterris, we build careers grounded in purpose, responsibility and real-world impact.
“For Planet and Progress” is our north star that guides everything we do. We believe environmental responsibility and human progress are interconnected, interwoven and international. Our scientists, engineers, field teams, consultants and professionals collaborate across disciplines and geographies, guiding industries and governments, ensuring that communities and environments thrive.
When you join us, you’re not just forging a career, you’re joining a movement. A movement for better thinking, smarter solutions and lasting impact.
Together, we will advance our way of life and protect the integrity of our environment every step of the way.
A Day in the Life
We're looking for a Lead Design Engineer in our San Diego, CA office. You'll be the Engineer in Responsible Charge on your projects, lead multi-discipline design teams, and mentor junior engineers. Our Treatment Technologies group designs, builds and delivers proprietary water treatment systems for PFAS and other emerging contaminants, including foam fractionation and regenerable ion exchange. Projects range from standard equipment supply to complex design-build. Unlike a consulting role, you'll see your designs fabricated, installed and running. This is a fantastic opportunity to join a rapidly growing, top notch, cutting-edge team that’s looking to make a positive impact on the world.
The compensation range for this role is $100,000 to $130,000, in addition to an annual bonus, commensurate with experience, skills, and geographic location.
To thrive in this role, you'll lead the design of water treatment systems and own the design end to end as Engineer in Responsible Charge. You’ll be comfortable taking ownership of the following responsibilities:
Design leadership
- Serve as Engineer in Responsible Charge, signing and sealing designs as required by state and national code.
- Lead conceptual and detailed design of water treatment systems for PFAS and other emerging contaminants: equipment sizing and selection, piping and pump systems, hydraulic calculations, layouts and specifications.
- Assign sub-discipline leads and subcontractors, and coordinate process, mechanical, electrical, controls and structural work into one design package.
- Set weekly design priorities and resources and own the design deliverable schedule.
- Work with the Project Manager to identify and manage risks to scope, schedule and budget.
- Review and apply codes, standards and regulations to each project.
Safety and quality
- Be an integral part of our safety culture, approaching all work with a safety-first attitude.
- Lead Safety-in-Design, PSM and HAZOP reviews, using internal and vendor resources as needed.
- Ensure procured equipment meets project requirements, including codes, specifications and material compatibility.
- Lead internal and client design reviews and complete the Design Review Checklist.
Fabrication, construction and commissioning
- Respond to engineering RFIs and complete submittal reviews during fabrication and construction.
- Develop and give final approval of design changes (Engineering Directives) during construction, startup and commissioning.
- Support and sign off on factory and site acceptance tests, commissioning plans and flushing plans.
- Sign off that installations meet the intent of the design documents.
- Spend 10-25% of your time in the field at fabrication shops, vendor facilities and project sites.
Clients and business
- Represent Onterris to clients and vendors, solving difficult technical problems on your projects.
- Lead the engineering portion of client meetings.
- Support proposals and responses to RFPs and RFQs.
People and growth
- Mentor Design Engineers I-III with a focus on project leadership and communication
- Develop standard tools and templates, and contribute to continuous improvement programs.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Your Expertise and Skills
These requirements reflect the knowledge, skills and abilities that help you do your best work here.
- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Civil and Environmental, Chemical or Process Engineering from an accredited university
- Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in any U.S. state, and willingness to obtain additional state registrations as projects require
- Typically 10+ years of engineering experience, including mechanical design of water or wastewater treatment systems
- Excellent organizational, communication and leadership skills, including a demonstrated ability to lead multi-discipline teams and motivate others
- Experience serving as lead engineer on multi-discipline design projects through construction and startup
- Hands-on experience with fabrication, construction or commissioning of treatment equipment
- Working knowledge of process, electrical, instrumentation and controls, and structural disciplines
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, Bluebeam and Microsoft Office; experience with PipeFLO or similar hydraulic software
- Experience mentoring or directing the work of other engineers
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, including with clients and vendors
- Ability to travel domestically and internationally up to 25%
Preferred
- Experience with PFAS or emerging contaminant treatment, such as foam fractionation, ion exchange or adsorption
- Design experience with packaged, skid-mounted or modular treatment systems
- Experience leading HAZOP, PSM or other formal hazard reviews
- 3D plant design experience (e.g., AutoCAD Plant 3D)
- Experience supervising engineering staff
Onterris is a leading global environmental solutions company partnering with organizations to solve complex challenges where environmental pressures, regulatory expectations and operational risks intersect. Guided by our mission to advance the way of life without compromising the integrity of our environment, we believe environmental responsibility and human progress are fundamentally connected. Our scientists, engineers, field teams and consultants apply systems thinking that unites science, data and practical expertise to deliver solutions that strengthen our clients’ resilience, mitigate risk and protect the air, water and soil that sustain communities, while uncovering responsible paths forward for planet and progress. For more information, visit www.onterris.com.
We are an equal opportunity employer and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds. We acknowledge that these experiences and perspectives help to enrich our teams and contribute to our ongoing success. We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in our employment for all applicants. For US residents, click here to learn more.