Water-Wastewater Treatment Project Engineer

Help Build the Future of Water Freese and Nichols is seeking a motivated, early-career Project Engineer to join our Water and Wastewater Treatment team, where you’ll help design and deliver some of the most complex and high-profile infrastructure projects in the U.S. From coastal desalination to advanced reuse, our work consistently pushes the boundaries of innovation, scale, and treatment performance. This position is open to our Atlanta, Duluth, Charlotte, and Raleigh offices. Our team is currently leading multiple PFAS pilot studies across the region, advancing treatment technologies and informing future regulatory and design strategies for major utilities. We are also designing one of the largest wastewater treatment facilities in the Southeast, representing a significant and technically challenging investment in modern treatment infrastructure. In addition, we’ve helped deliver the nation’s first direct potable reuse facility, supported the first municipal-scale seawater desalination plant on the Texas Gulf Coast, and are working on treatment plants up to 350 MGD. As a Project Engineer at Freese and Nichols, you will have the opportunity to contribute meaningfully to transformational projects—while developing alongside a team deeply committed to technical excellence, mentorship, and long-term career growth. What You’ll Do Support Project Managers and Design Teams in executing PFAS removal pilot studies, treatment evaluations, and design projects. Lead conference presentations and client-facing briefings on PFAS regulations, pilot testing methodologies, treatment performance, and design implications. Assist in the design, optimization and planning of water and wastewater treatment plants Perform hydraulic analysis, process modeling, and unit process sizing Contribute to evaluations of both conventional and advanced treatment technologies, including MBR, RO, and IFAS Support preparation of design drawings, calculations, reports, and specifications Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver coordinated, high-quality solutions Develop new technical skills and advance your engineering judgment with mentorship and support Become acquainted with the procedures and techniques necessary to execute a sound and efficient project. Qualifications Qualifications Master’s degree in Environmental Engineering with a PhD in Environmental Engineering is desired. 2-4 years of related water treatment experience (PhD experience is acceptable) EIT certification; PE licensure is not required initially but expected within 2 years of employment. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Must have worked in a position that required the application of standard techniques, procedures, and criteria. Should be prepared to use individual judgement. About Freese and Nichols At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always). Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values. We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service. For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need: developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more. Besides our comprehensive benefits package (see more at https://www.freese.com/services/benefits-that-work/), we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico. We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work, and an alternative work schedule program which provides a day off every other Friday. Join our team of 1,300 employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado. Learn more about working here at https://www.freese.com/careers/. Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. #LI-Hybrid Freese and Nichols is a professional planning, consulting and engineering firm serving clients across the United States. With client service and continuous improvement in mind, we plan, design and manage sustainable water and infrastructure projects.