Design Engineer I - Water Resources

Apex Companies · Fullerton, CA

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At a Glance: Design Engineer I – Water Resources

CWE, under the Apex Companies umbrella, is filling an entry-level water resources engineering seat at its Fullerton, CA headquarters. Work centers on civil infrastructure design — storm drainage, pipelines, and water systems — primarily in AutoCAD Civil 3D. Salary range: $71,000–$89,000. Requires a Bachelor's in engineering from an ABET-accredited school and EIT candidacy (active or completed). Field activities and a California driver's license are both expected.

Role Overview

This is an early-career engineering position on CWE's water resources team. Day-to-day scope spans the full design lifecycle — from initial concept through finalized construction documents — across storm drainage networks, water distribution systems, sanitary sewer collection, and related civil infrastructure. You'll contribute within supervised project teams, take ownership of discrete deliverables, and participate in both technical production and project administration tasks. AutoCAD Civil 3D is the primary working tool, alongside cross-disciplinary collaboration with multi-office teams.

About CWE and Apex Companies

CWE is a full-service engineering and consulting firm focused on civil infrastructure, water resources, and environmental problem-solving, operating under the Apex Companies umbrella. Apex has earned recognition from the Zweig Group as one of the fastest-growing AEC organizations nationally, a trajectory built on strong client retention and strategic acquisitions rather than organic growth alone. CWE's practice philosophy centers on practical, cost-effective solutions delivered to public agencies and private clients alike. The firm presents itself as a structured mentorship environment for early-career engineers, with project exposure across a range of infrastructure disciplines.

What You'll Do

  • Develop project deliverables from concept through final construction documents, including plans, specifications, and cost-estimate packages
  • Apply engineering calculations and established design standards to resolve technical challenges at each project phase
  • Produce engineering reports covering storm drainage, water distribution, transmission mains, pumping stations, pipelines, streets, bikeways, sanitary sewer networks, and water/wastewater facilities
  • Build project drawings and design layouts in AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Define horizontal and vertical alignments, generate profiles and cross sections, and compute earthwork volumes using Civil 3D
  • Serve as a contributing member of supervised project teams under CWE Project Manager direction
  • Deliver assigned tasks on schedule and within budget while meeting the firm's quality standards
  • Coordinate with multi-disciplinary and geographically distributed project teams
  • Support technical staff with data gathering, research, evaluation, and calculation work
  • Assist with project administration including proposals, correspondence, budget tracking, and progress reports
  • Conduct vendor and agency research as required by project scope

Must-Have Qualifications

  • Bachelor's degree in engineering from an ABET-accredited institution
  • Engineer-in-Training (EIT) / Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam — completed or actively in progress
  • Working proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Solid command of Microsoft Office suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, Project)
  • Baseline competency with ESRI geospatial tools: ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, or ArcGIS Online
  • Experience with PDF markup software such as Bluebeam or Adobe Acrobat
  • Demonstrated ability to learn and become proficient in new software and technologies
  • High attention to detail with a commitment to accuracy across all deliverables
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills
  • Ability to manage multiple assignments, prioritize, and take direction effectively
  • Analytical mindset with solid problem-solving skills
  • Self-motivated; able to work productively without close supervision
  • Team-oriented attitude and collaborative working style
  • Physical ability to kneel, climb, and lift up to 50 lbs
  • Valid California driver's license with an insurable driving record

Nice to Have

  • Master's degree or PhD in a related engineering field
  • California Professional Engineer (PE) license in Civil Engineering
  • Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) credential
  • Active membership in a professional engineering organization such as ASCE, ACEC, or APWA
  • Track record of community service or outreach involvement

Skills Snapshot: What This Role Actually Requires

At the Engineer I level, CWE is hiring for potential more than depth of experience. The non-negotiables are AutoCAD Civil 3D — used daily for drawing production and earthwork calculations — alongside baseline command of ArcGIS and the Microsoft Office suite. EIT candidacy is expected and separates competitive applicants from the pack. Everything listed as desired (PE licensure, a graduate degree, ENV SP) signals readiness for advancement rather than a condition of hire. Candidates who write clearly, absorb new tools quickly, and can self-manage task delivery will stand out at this career stage.

Salary and Compensation

Apex Companies discloses an annual expected salary range of $71,000 to $89,000 USD for this position. No benefits details are itemized in the job posting. Placement within the range typically reflects factors such as education level (a graduate degree or PE registration may favor the upper end), AutoCAD Civil 3D depth, and prior internship or co-op experience in water resources or civil design. Candidates should ask specifically about licensure exam support, professional development programs, and full benefits during the interview — these are common in AEC firms but are not listed here.

Location and Work Arrangement

This position is based at CWE's headquarters in Fullerton, California. No remote or hybrid arrangement is specified in the job posting. Field activities are referenced in the role profile and a valid California driver's license is a firm requirement — both indicators of a predominantly on-site schedule. Relocation assistance and visa sponsorship are not addressed in the posting.

Frequently asked questions

Is an EIT or FE certification required before applying?

The EIT/FE is listed as a required qualification, but the posting explicitly states it may be 'in progress or completed.' Candidates who have not yet passed the exam but are actively working toward it are eligible to apply.

What software will I use most in this role?

AutoCAD Civil 3D is the primary design platform and the only tool listed as a required working knowledge. ArcGIS tools (ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, or ArcGIS Online) and PDF software such as Bluebeam or Adobe Acrobat are also expected at a baseline level.

Does this position involve fieldwork?

Yes. The role profile references field activities as part of general engineer responsibilities, and hard requirements include a valid California driver's license and the physical ability to kneel, climb, and lift up to 50 lbs — both consistent with periodic site visits.

What is the salary range for this position?

Apex Companies has disclosed an annual expected salary range of $71,000 to $89,000 USD. No specific benefits details are listed in the job posting.

Is a graduate degree required, or can Bachelor's-level candidates apply?

A Bachelor's in engineering from an ABET-accredited program is the minimum requirement. A Master's degree or PhD is listed as a desired — not required — qualification, so candidates with only a Bachelor's degree are fully eligible to apply.

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