Project Engineer

Project Engineer – Water/Wastewater

• Water / Wastewater Group
• Missoula, MT
• $80,000 - $100,000 (base salary)
• Regular Full-Time

Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) is seeking a skilled and motivated Project Engineer to join our Water/Wastewater Group. This is a great opportunity to contribute to meaningful municipal projects, from early planning and design through construction administration. In this position, you will work alongside experienced engineers and project managers in a collaborative, supportive environment. You will play a key role in delivering a diverse portfolio of water supply, treatment, storage, and distribution projects as well as wastewater collection and treatment systems serving Montana communities of all sizes.

As a Project Engineer, you will take an active role in the production of projects or portions of projects, working closely with Project Managers and Design Team Leaders across all phases of water and wastewater work. Your responsibilities will include:

• Design and Engineering: Conduct engineering studies, perform calculations, and prepare plans, specifications, and contract documents for water supply, treatment, storage, and distribution systems, including wells, surface water intakes, pump stations, storage facilities, and water mains, as well as wastewater collection systems, lift stations, lagoons, and treatment plants for communities of varying sizes.
• Plan Production: Prepare construction documents including drawings, specifications, and cost estimates in accordance with applicable codes, client standards, and state and federal regulations, for QA/QC review by the Project Manager.
• Technical Analysis: Apply engineering design standards to perform hydraulic analyses, feasibility assessments, and site evaluations to support sound design decisions; review plans and specifications for constructability.
• Reports and Funding Support: Prepare master plans, preliminary engineering reports (PERs), rate studies, and funding application materials for programs such as MCEP, CDBG, DNRC, Rural Development, and DEQ SRF, with a focus on cost-effective solutions for small and rural communities with limited resources.
• Regulatory Compliance: Ensure designs meet DEQ requirements, EPA standards, and applicable regulatory standards; support permitting efforts throughout project delivery.
• Project Coordination: Attend project meetings and field reviews; keep the Project Manager informed on project progress, schedules, and any issues; coordinate with municipal clients and regulatory agencies.
• Construction Oversight: Conduct construction observation and contract administration, including verifying work conforms to contract documents, maintaining a detailed construction diary, reviewing submittals and RFIs, processing payment requests, preparing record drawings, and supporting project closeout.

Qualifications

We are looking for a detail-oriented, self-motivated engineer who thrives in a collaborative environment. The ideal candidate has:

• Education and Certification: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field; Professional Engineering (PE) license in Montana, or ability to obtain within six (6) months.
• Experience: 4–10 years of progressive experience in water/wastewater engineering or municipal civil engineering.
• Technical Expertise: Strong understanding of water and wastewater system design principles, hydraulic analysis, and regulatory compliance.
• Attributes: Strong written and verbal communication skills, attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and a collaborative approach to working within multidisciplinary teams.
• Commitment: A positive attitude and commitment to be an active participant in our employee-owned culture and alignment with RPA’s Core Values

About RPA

Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) is a distinguished, 100% employee-owned civil engineering, planning, and land surveying firm headquartered in Montana. Established in 1978, we are renowned for our personalized service and commitment to designing practical and sustainable solutions for our clients.

We champion an open leadership style based on mutual trust, empowering our team members to influence the future of RPA. Our commitment to a collaborative culture has fostered consistent growth and one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the industry. At RPA, our core values—listening, respect, integrity, empowerment, teamwork, and social responsibility—drive our success and shape our dynamic work environment.

Company Culture and Benefits

At RPA, our employee-owners are the cornerstone of our success. That is why we invest in you, your professional development, your community, and your future, celebrating both your work achievements and personal milestones. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Generous Retirement Plan: RPA contributes to your retirement future, with no match required, starting on day one.
• 100% Employee Owned: Our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) provides you with direct ownership in the company, aligning your success with ours.
• Competitive Salary and Bonuses: Enjoy a rewarding compensation structure including competitive base salary and company-wide bonus program.
• Flexible Work Environment: We support work-life balance with excellent leave policies, flexible schedules, and paid time over 40 hours per week.
• Professional Growth: We support and encourage professional development and involvement in civic/professional organizations and provide ample opportunity for career growth within RPA.

Additional details about our benefits can be found on our RPA Advantage Page.