Water Mission is a Christian engineering nonprofit that builds safe water solutions for people in developing countries, refugee camps, and disaster areas. Since 2001, Water Mission has served more than 8 million people in 60 countries, sharing safe water and the message of God’s love. Working at Water Mission is as much a calling as it is a career, and we are searching for people with the courage, passion, and drive to help us change the world. Read more about our Statement of Faith and Our Christian Mission.

What is the opportunity?

The Project Engineer is a full-time position based in Charleston, SC and reports to the Director of Engineering Design and Support. This position is responsible primarily for applying sound engineering principles, excellent analytical skills, and quality verbal and written communication to a variety of safe water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) projects worldwide. Typical Water Mission projects lend well to general civil, environmental, and chemical engineering backgrounds.

Travel to remote locations in developing countries is required. As needs arise, candidates need to be prepared for the possibility of traveling three to six months out of the year (i.e., multiple trips during a single calendar year totaling three to six months), with trip lengths ranging from two weeks to three months. Candidates need to be aware that travel to a disaster response situation may be required with only 72 hours of notice.

A successful Project Engineer will:

• Maintain a strong Christian witness and model servant leadership to colleagues, partners, the communities we serve, and the public.
• Work in a posture of humble service to God and others.
  • This includes active listening skills and teachability.
• Consistently commit to the values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Work in a collaborative team environment to provide technical direction and assistance to other engineers, technicians, and volunteers.
• Assist in the development of project engineering scopes and designs for safe water and sanitation projects in developing countries and disaster response settings.
• Develop and analyze engineering documentation and designs for WASH projects in developing country and disaster response settings.
  • Conduct field inspections and site assessments in developing countries.
  • Create feasibility studies and engineering reports.
  • Create standard and project-specific engineering designs, calculations, construction drawings, and specifications.
• Ability to work on multiple simultaneous projects.
  • Maintain good communication with multiple team members across multiple countries and time zones.
  • Maintain good communication with outside entities.
  • Ensure work is done within an agreed upon scope, schedule, and budget.
  • Complete projects in accordance with approved engineering and construction standards within Water Mission.
  • Complete projects in accordance with Water Mission reporting procedures and documentation protocols.
• Learn and contribute to other engineering disciplines, gaining a base level of understanding as required by this role.
• Demonstrate ability to learn how to install and operate WASH-related equipment.
• Assist in the development of engineering standards for worldwide projects.
• Ability to work within cross-cultural environments and to overcome stereotypes and language barriers.
• Participate in disaster response activities as needed at headquarters, field offices, and remote locations.
• Other duties as assigned.

What is required?

• Personal and growing relationship with Jesus Christ.
• Alignment with Water Mission’s Statement of Faith and core values of Love, Excellence, and Integrity.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering – Civil, Chemical, Environmental (Electrical, Mechanical, and other Engineering degrees considered).
• Engineer In Training (EIT) (preferred, not required). [Professional Engineer (PE) also considered.]
• 0-5 years of engineering experience (>5 years also considered).
• Knowledgeable skills with office computer programs (Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and engineering programs (such as AutoCAD, EPANET, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Excellent relationship skills.
• High attention to detail.
• Excellent analytical skills (experience with data analysis a plus).
• Foreign language skills, particularly Spanish or Bahasa (preferred, not required).
• Experience in developing countries (preferred, not required).
• Ability and willingness to travel up to six months out of the year, mostly in developing countries, with trip lengths from two weeks to three months. Travel may include long car rides on rough terrain, standing for extended periods in hot weather, and lifting things.
• Home internet bandwidth strong enough to support video conferencing and other job-related responsibilities required.
• Commitment to the organization’s values and mission and ending the global water crisis.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship.