-
Job Description
At Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, we deliver pure reliable water to regions serving 19 million people—and to accomplish this, we rely on a team of talented employees: innovators, problem-solvers, and collaborators who make it all possible. Metropolitan is seeking a cost estimating engineer who thrives on solving complex technical problems, analyzing construction methods, and building cost estimates that shape high-value public infrastructure.
In this role, you'll serve as an Associate Engineer, performing cost engineering and estimating assignments. You will develop and perform detailed cost estimates at all stages of project development for pipelines, treatment plants, mechanical and electrical systems, and civil engineering works, using established estimating methods and software, supporting projects from early conceptual development through final bid-ready estimates. Your work will directly support accurate budgeting, competitive procurement, and long-term Capital Improvement Program (CIP) planning across the organization.
What You'll Do- Prepare detailed cost engineering and estimating deliverables using established estimating software, such as Sage Estimating, HeavyBid, or similar.
- Develop Engineer's Estimates ranging from Class 5 - Rough Order of Magnitude (ROM) estimates used for early project scoping and feasibility studies, to Class 1 - Bid Estimates.
- Review engineering drawings and specifications and perform detailed quantity takeoffs.
- Prepare independent cost evaluations for change orders.
- Obtain pricing from suppliers.
- Research market conditions and industry cost trends to support forecasting and pricing assumptions.
- Support accurate initial budgeting, competitive bidding, and long-term capital planning and CIP prioritization.
- Develop and refine cost estimating methods, criteria, and policies to improve estimation accuracy and consistency.
- Apply engineering principles, practices, and applications within the assigned discipline.
- Analyze project schedules and budgets to support planning and cost control efforts.
- Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local laws, codes, and regulations related to the area of responsibility.
- Work with technical staff of various disciplines.
- Communicate technical issues impacting cost estimates, schedules, and biddability. Prepare written and verbal summaries of estimates.
- Utilize current office technology and equipment to support engineering and estimating activities.
This job announcement has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this classification / job.
To view the full job description click here: Associate Engineer
Schedule
44/36, Monday through Friday / Every other Friday off. Monday through Thursday: 9 hours per day Every other Friday: 8 hours per day
Hybrid: Metropolitan’s current practice in this position is a hybrid work schedule. This typically includes two days a week in person and the other days remote. This is subject to change dependent on organizational needs. In addition, a telework policy is scheduled for negotiations and once completed and implemented, will provide final direction on the hybrid schedule.
EMPLOYMENT STANDARDS MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Education and Experience:- Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and four years of relevant experience, of which two years must have been at the Assistant Engineer II level; OR
- Master's degree from an accredited college or university in a related field and two years of relevant experience, which must have been at the Assistant Engineer II level.
A related field is defined as: Architectural Engineering, Civil Engineering, or Structural Engineering.
Relevant Experience is defined as: Preparing detailed cost engineering and estimating deliverables, project schedules, and budgets.
CERTIFICATIONS, LICENSES, AND REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS
Employees in this position may be required to obtain and maintain the following certifications, licensing, and registrations:
License(s): Valid California Class C Driver's License or equivalent (required at time of application) that allows you to drive during your employment.
CLOSING
BENEFITS
• Competitive compensation
• Excellent medical, dental, life, vision plans.
• Deferred compensation in the form of a 401(k) plan (with matching contribution) and a 457 plan.
• Retirement benefits under the California Public Employees' Retirement System
• Tuition reimbursement
• Training and advancement opportunities
• Excellent working environment
• Public transportation reimbursements
• Hub of public transportation: rail, subway, buses, and taxis
• On-site fitness center
For more information on MWD benefits, please use the following link: Benefits Regular FT PT Employees (Represented)
ABOUT MWD
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a state-established cooperative that, along with its 26 cities and retail suppliers, provides water for 19 million people in six counties. The district imports water from the Colorado River and Northern California to supplement local supplies, and helps its members to develop increased water conservation, recycling, storage and other resource-management programs.
The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. Qualified individuals with disabilities who need a reasonable accommodation during the application or selection process, please call (213) 217-7738 or email: jobs@mwdh2o.com .
Metropolitan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected characteristic(s).
Application Filing Period: Closes at 4:30 pm PST on the date stated in the job announcement. However, it may close prior to the filing end date if sufficient applications have been received. If sufficient applications have not been received, then the filing period end date may be extended.
Qualifying Experience: Your resume must at a minimum include the month and year you began and ended employment, name of the organization, your title, and a brief description of your experience. If your employment was part-time, make sure you identify it on your resume next to the month/year.
Sponsorship : Applicants for employment with The Metropolitan Water District of Southern California must have work authorization that does not now or in the future require sponsorship of a visa for employment authorization in the United States (i.e., H1-B or other employment-based immigration case).
Closing Date/Time: April 3, 2026 @ 4:30 pm PST - Prepare detailed cost engineering and estimating deliverables using established estimating software, such as Sage Estimating, HeavyBid, or similar.
-
ABOUT THE COMPANY
-
-
Metropolitan Water District of Southern California
Show moreThe Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is a consortium of 26 cities and water districts that provides drinking water to nearly 18 million people in parts of Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, Riverside, San Bernardino and Ventura counties.
The mission of the Metropolitan Water District of Southern California is to provide its service area with adequate and reliable supplies of high-quality water to meet present and future needs in an environmentally and economically responsible way.
Metropolitan currently delivers an average of 1.7 billion gallons of water per day to a 5,200-square-mile service area.
Join our Team
Metropolitan values both fresh voices and the different perspectives that experience brings. We seek out the best, those who bring unique and varied qualities to an organization whose employees reflect the diverse communities we serve across Southern California. And we want colleagues who embrace innovation, equity and a shared greater purpose to the region. We are a public agency and the people who work with us are devoted to public service.
We were built to last and to lead. We are an agency deep in history and experience. We are part of the very fabric of Southern California, having been formed in 1928 by the state Legislature to design, build and operate the Colorado River Aqueduct to bring water to a growing population. Today, our role is much greater than the infrastructure we built and maintain. We are here to ensure reliable and safe water supplies for 19 million people across five Southland counties, operating in an environmentally and economically sound manner.
If you’re already in the workforce and considering Metropolitan as a work option, begin your journey here to learn more. For those still in school or just entering the workforce, scroll down to the section Creating the Next Generation of Workers for the Water Industry to learn about our internship and apprenticeship programs as well as other educational resources to help prepare you for a career in the water industry.
What We Offer
When you come to work at Metropolitan, you don’t come just for a job; you come for a career. We want to support your career pathway along with your well-being. One way to do that is to offer very competitive salaries and excellent benefits. We also provide top-notch health and insurance options, as well as retirement benefits.
Our benefits package is above industry standards. Metropolitan contracts with CalPERS, the California Public Employee Retirement System, to provide a wide choice of medical coverages to both active employees and qualified retirees.
As a regular full-time; regular part-time union represented employee will be eligible for excellent benefits.
Also available to Metropolitan employees through CalPERS are pension and survivor benefits as well as deferred compensation benefits that include our 401(k) and 457(b) savings plans. Metropolitan matches 401(k) contributions to increase the amount of your annual savings toward retirement.
Dental coverage, through Delta Dental, is offered at no cost to regular full-time; regular part-time employees pay a pro-rated fee. Qualified dependents can be added to the dental plan at no extra cost. Metropolitan contracts with Vision Service Provider, or VSP, for vision coverage and covers the cost for regular full-time employees. Costs are prorated for regular part-time employees. Qualified dependents can be added for a flat monthly fee.
We have insurance programs covering life, long-term disability and accidental death and dismemberment. There are also some voluntary benefits to choose from. These include Flexible Spending Accounts for health and dependent care, long-term care and cancer coverage. You and your family members will also have access to our Employee Assistance Plan for confidential professional counseling and referral services at no cost. A Wellness Program offers certain reimbursements to employees based on work location and bargaining unit.
-