Lead Test Engineer - Technology Assessment Program

Full Job Description

This position is open to all qualified candidates

About the Role

We are seeking a wastewater industry leader to lead WTD’s Technology Assessment Program (TAP).

WTD is a leader in piloting and assessing new treatment technologies and working with academic researchers and colleagues across the industry.

TAP resides in the Policy & Research group which ensures that WTD has a well-thought-out approach to research, testing and policy initiatives to support emerging regulations and new developments in research and technology.

Join our team of proactive, innovative, trusted subject matter experts in wastewater engineering!

This position will lead a team of wastewater test engineers. You will develop annual work plans, assign staff work, and manage a capital budget. You will serve as the primary contact for WTD’s Technology Assessment Program and develop and present information to a variety of internal and external audiences. In addition to leading staff, you will play a key hands-on role in testing innovative treatment technologies and participating in applied research projects. Overall, this position is responsible for evaluating the applicability of new technologies to King County wastewater treatment plant operations and maintenance, which includes monitoring trends in the wastewater industry. This position supports innovation and helps ensure that WTD has a well-thought-out approach to support emerging regulations and new developments in research and technology.

With about 1000 employees engaged in planning, designing, building, and operating treatment facilities, King County’s Wastewater Treatment Division is at the forefront of environmental stewardship.

We enforce regulations to reduce harmful waste discharge and actively educate the public and businesses on water quality protection.

We prioritize accountability to our ratepayers and operate a well-managed agency that serves over 2.3 million King County residents.

Our regional wastewater treatment system not only sustains a healthy environment but also fuels economic development, fostering prosperity in our region.

If you're passionate about making a difference and thrive in a collaborative environment, join us in our mission to protect public health and the environment by collecting and cleaning wastewater while recovering valuable resources for a healthy and resilient Puget Sound.

About the Team:
The Technology Assessment Program (TAP) ensures that WTD takes full advantage of wastewater industry innovations, partnering with utilities across the field and research institutions to monitor and promote new technologies. TAP provides technical services to stimulate innovation, build a sustainable and resilient future, advance resource recovery, and maximize the cost effectiveness of WTD services. TAP plays a crucial role in helping WTD strategically evaluate and make decisions for WTD’s technology and innovation opportunities, including improved treatment processes and efficiencies, process controls and treatment reliability, reducing the environmental footprint of wastewater treatment and its byproducts, and improvements in safety.
Technology assessment - King County, Washington

Commitment to Equity, Racial and Social Justice:King County, named after Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., is a diverse and vibrant community that represents cultures from around the world.

Our True North is to create a welcoming community where everyone can thrive. We prioritize equity, racial and social justice, making it a foundational and daily expectation for all employees.

As a Lead Test Engineer, you will actively apply these principles in all aspects of your work. Learn more about our commitment at http://www.kingcounty.gov/equity

Requirements

What you will be doing:

• Testing of innovative treatment technologies, writing test plans, procuring pilot equipment, designing pilot installations, commissioning and operating pilot systems, evaluating data, writing test reports.
• Participation in applied research projects in collaboration with academic institutions and industry organizations (ex. Water Research Foundation).
• Support treatment plant process groups with troubleshooting and optimization of treatment plant unit processes.
• Support planning and capital program projects with alternatives evaluation, design review, and commissioning.
• Technology proposal review and disposition.
• Maintain a physical presence at WTD’s treatment plants and offsite facilities.
• Provide leadership on long-term TAP program strategy and program-wide issues and projects including research partnerships, industry-wide monitoring, pilot projects, and strategic planning.
• Participate in development, implementation and monitoring of TAP capital program budget.

• Develop annual work plan and priorities for TAP, monitor staff workloads and assign work to program staff. Coordinate backup to other staff when they are unavailable.
• Serve as primary contact for TAP on internal and external groups. Develop and present information to a variety of internal and external audiences.
• Conduct regular check-ins with all TAP staff and assist supervisor with personnel matters including staff professional development.

Qualifications

Qualifications You Bring:

• A bachelor’s degree in engineering.
• Twelve years increasingly responsible wastewater engineering experience commensurate with a professional engineer registration; at least eight of those years as a licensed P.E.
• Thorough knowledge of wastewater engineering principles and techniques as well as familiarity with wastewater facilities construction principles and techniques.
• Experience in technology pilot testing, drafting test plans, commissioning, operating, troubleshooting, sampling, data collection, data analysis, and writing final reports.
• Imagination and creative abilities to develop alternatives and prepare designs for additions and improvements to new and existing wastewater facilities.
• Ability to analyze and interpret technical or scientific information and to communicate this information in writing or verbally at a level appropriate for various target audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships with diverse populations, for example peers, managers, external experts, regulators, citizens, customers, or community organizations.
• Experience in managing multiple projects simultaneously, including with external partners (ex. Consultants, other utilities, academic institutions, national research organizations)
• Skill with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) in preparing documents, reports, presentations, spreadsheets and analyzing data.
• Registration as a PE in the State of Washington, or conversion of out of state license within 90 days of hire

Required licenses:

• Valid WA State driver's license within 90 days of hire.

Competencies You Bring:
Business Insight: Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the organization’s goals.
Manages Complexity: Making sense of complex, high quantity, and sometimes contradictory information to effectively solve problems.
Plans and Aligns: Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.
Interpersonal Savvy: Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
Drives Engagement: Creating a climate where people are motivated to do their best to help the organization achieve its objectives.

It would be great if you also bring:

• Experience in applied research and/or academic research, project management, and science communication
• Experience in wastewater construction commissioning
• Knowledge of current trends and issues in wastewater treatment and resource recovery, including biosolids, recycled water, energy, sustainability, nutrient management, and contaminants of emerging concern in the wastewater context
• Advanced engineering degree (MS or PhD) is desirable, or additional education in engineering, business administration or other technical field
• Experience with procurement of goods and services
• Experience in a position with supervisory responsibilities or leading staff

Additional Information

Working Conditions:

Work Details: This position follows a hybrid work model, blending remote and in-person work. In-person work may be at various King County worksites including any of the three regional treatment plants (West Point, South Plant, Brightwater) or smaller treatment plants or offsite facilities, or the collaboration space at King Street Center (201 S. Jackson St, Seattle, WA 98104). The frequency of in-person presence is guided by business needs and may be adjusted accordingly.
Requirement: Employees must reside in Washington State and be within reasonable proximity to King County worksites to meet in-person work requirements. Employees will be provided with a County-issued laptop and must maintain a home workspace with an internet connection where they can reliably perform work and remain available and responsive during scheduled work hours.
Work Schedule: This full-time position works a 40-hour work week. This position is exempt from the overtime provision of the Fair Labor Standard Act (FLSA) and is not overtime eligible.
Union Representation: Technical Employees' Association (TEA) bargaining unit
Physical Requirement: Field work will require outdoor work with uneven terrain, some lifting
Workplace Exposures: Work in wastewater facilities, including exposure to chemicals, biohazards, and construction activities

Application and Selection Process:We welcome applications from all qualified applicants. We value diversity, diverse perspectives and life experience and encourage people of all backgrounds to apply.

Application materials will be screened for clarity, completeness and alignment with the experience, qualifications, knowledge, and skills essential for this role to determine which candidates may be invited to participate in one or more panel interviews.

Anticipated Timeline for this recruitment: (subject to change)

• Technical vetting interview: Virtual interviews will be held in February 2026
• Panel interview: Virtual interviews will be held the held in February 2026

To apply, please submit the below:

• Complete Application
• Resume (Required)
• Cover Letter (Required)
• Responses to the supplemental questions

Note: Additional documents won't be considered during minimum qualification screening.

Who to Contact: For more information regarding this recruitment, please contact danilee@kingcounty.gov

Discover More About the Wastewater Treatment Division: Visit our website and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), Instagram, YouTube, and the WTD Blog.Discover More About DNRP: Visit our DNRP website, explore an interactive map of our recent accomplishments and check us out at Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), LinkedIn, TikTok, Instagram, YouTube and Keeping King County Green News.

Sign up for Job Alerts to be notified of additional career opportunities with King County. Select the Natural Resources category for DNRP opportunities and explore other categories of interest.

Forbes named King County as one of Washington State's best employers.

Together, with leadership and our employees, we're changing the way government delivers service and winning national recognition as a model of excellence. Are you ready to make a difference?

Come join the team dedicated to serving one of the nation's best places to live, work and play.

Guided by our "True North", we are making King County a welcoming community where every person can thrive. We value diversity, inclusion and belonging in our workplace and workforce.

To reach this goal we are committed to workforce equity.

Equitable recruiting, support, and retention is how we will obtain the highest quality workforce in our region; a workforce that shares and will help advance our guiding principles - we are one team; we solve problems; we focus on the customer; we drive for results; we are racially just; we respect all people; we lead the way; and we are responsible stewards.

We encourage people of all backgrounds and identities to apply, including Native American and people of color, immigrants, refugees, women, LGBTQ+, people living with disabilities, and veterans.King County is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) Employer No person is unlawfully excluded from employment opportunities based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation and pregnancy), age, genetic information, disability, veteran status, or other protected class.

Our EEO policy applies to all employment actions, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, selection for training, promotion, transfer, demotion, layoff, termination, rates of pay or other forms of compensation.To Apply If you are interested in pursuing this position, please follow the application instructions carefully.

If you need this announcement in an alternate language or format, would like to request accommodation or assistance in the application or assessment process or if you have questions, please contact the recruiter listed on this job announcement.