Project-Level Restoration Engineer

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consulting is seeking a Project-Level Restoration Engineer with a passion for ecosystem restoration and water resource engineering. This role will focus on advancing our ecological restoration practice in North Carolina and the Southeast, while also supporting projects across the U.S.

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, this position offers flexibility to work hybrid or fully remote within the Charlotte Metro area. The ideal candidate will have experience in stream, wetland, and coastal/living shoreline design, with strong skills in applied hydraulics, hydrology, and geomorphology, as well as proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and hydrology/hydraulic modeling.

Responsibilities will include occasional travel to project sites for field assessments, data collection, and client meetings. This is a full-time position with benefits.

This position can be hired at the following levels:

• Assistant Project Restoration Engineer – Typically with at least 3 years of relevant experience and expertise
• Associate Project Restoration Engineer – Typically with at least 5 years of relevant experience and expertise

What you will accomplish

Associate project restoration engineers will likely work on more complicated projects with longer time frames and great scopes of work.  They may also lead engineering tasks and small projects.  Core responsibilities for this role include:

• Participate in the engineering design, reporting, and development of construction plans for the above listed project types.
• Participate in field work to assess existing site conditions, assess reference reach sites, perform geomorphic assessments, and conduct construction observation.
• Develop construction plans within AutoCAD Civil 3D. Typically restoration plans but occasional site civil support may be required.
• Perform hydraulic, hydrologic, and water quality assessments, modeling, and analysis in support of the above listed projects.
• Communicate and work with project managers to keep projects on schedule and on budget.
• Attend and participate in annual internal design training meetings to support personal-skills growth and career planning.
• Work independently and multi-task regularly in a fast-paced environment; work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Take responsibility for team safety, develop safety plans (when applicable), and anticipate potential safety hazards.

Experience and qualifications for success

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Agricultural, Biological, Civil, Environmental, or Coastal Engineering)
• EI certification (Engineering Intern)
• Three (3) years of ecosystem restoration design experience.
• Ability to travel on short-term overnight efforts to collect field data and meet with clients, up to 25% of the time.
• Experience with HEC-RAS and other hydraulic and hydrologic modeling and analysis software.
• Experience developing ecological restoration design construction plans in AutoCAD Civil 3D.

Preferred qualifications

• P.E. certification (Professional Engineer)
• At least five (5) years of professional experience in ecosystem design.
• Experience managing primary tasks and small to medium sized projects with limited oversight.
• Experience mentoring and successfully delegating tasks to junior team members.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing, 100% employee-owned company that offers a full range of environmental services. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, bringing sound science and creative solutions to global environmental challenges, all while staying true to our commitment to employee ownership. At SWCA, we live our core values every day: we collaborate as #OneSWCA, we’re #AlwaysLearning, we #NeverSettle, and we #GiveBack to our communities. With offices across the country, we’re proud to be one of the largest environmental compliance firms in the U.S. and to rank among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and transparency. In alignment with this commitment, we post good faith pay ranges in all job postings. An employee in this Charlotte, NC-based position can expect an hourly rate of $34.78-$44.94 for the Assistant Project Engineer role; and an hourly rate of $39.59-$50.83 for the Associate Project Engineer role. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive Benefits package, forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

We offer a supportive, team-focused work environment, competitive pay, and great benefits—including a 100% employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) to help you build a strong financial future. At SWCA, we’re committed to helping our team members grow into industry leaders. Our award-winning Career Landscape program offers a clear and structured path to meaningful career development. We support your growth through conference attendance, internal and external training, education reimbursement, our Science and Leadership Program, and bonuses for qualifying publications. All regular-status employees are eligible for a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, wellness, life, and disability coverage, as well as access to our Employee Assistance Program. Employees may also participate in SWCA’s 401(k) Profit Sharing Plan and Trust.

SWCA continues to invest in our people. We value the skills and experience of our internal team members and strongly encourage qualified employees to apply for open positions. We believe in promoting from within whenever possible, offering meaningful opportunities for career growth.

Application Deadline: We will begin reviewing applications immediately and schedule interviews with qualified candidates on a rolling basis. The position will remain open until we identify a strong pool of candidates and may close without prior notice. We sincerely appreciate the time and effort of all applicants and will thoughtfully review each submission.

If you need assistance accessing SWCA’s website, completing the online application, or require accommodations at any point during the hiring process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@swca.com or call 1-480-581-5378. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and supportive experience for all candidates. This contact information is specifically for accommodation requests; other inquiries will not receive a response.

EOE - women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

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