Associate | Civil Infrastructure Engineer

Buro Happold; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 125,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid working & summer hours

401(k) with company match

Discretionary annual bonus

PTO 4 weeks + 10 holidays

Professional license reimbursement

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Buro Happold in Chicago seeks an Associate Civil Engineer to lead design of resilient, sustainable infrastructure within our North American Civil Infrastructure Team.

You will manage complex, multi-disciplinary projects, mentor junior engineers, collaborate with geotechnical, transportation, environmental teams, and translate client needs into robust engineering solutions.

This role offers hybrid work, competitive benefits, discretionary bonus, generous PTO, and global learning opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
• 8+ years of civil engineering experience.
• PE license required.
• Proficient in Civil3D, GIS, and AutoCAD.
• Knowledge of hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, utility design, grading, earthwork.
• Experience in supporting project delivery with scopes, schedules, budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and development of resilient and sustainable civil engineering solutions.
• Manage complex, multi-disciplinary projects from conception to completion.
• Lead client interactions and translate needs into engineering solutions.
• Contribute to quality assurance across projects.
• Collaborate with geotechnical, transportation, environmental, and sustainability teams.

Skills

Project management

Communication

Leadership

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering

PE license

Tools

Civil3D

GIS

AutoCAD

Job description

The cities of tomorrow are being designed today. At Buro Happold, our Civil Team is at the forefront of this revolution. We're creating infrastructure that adapts to changing needs, sustains populations, and thrives in placemaking. Ready to take a leading role in this vision? Join us as an Associate Civil Engineer and play a key part in shaping a sustainable future.

Who We Are

Buro Happold is a global leader in sustainable and resilient infrastructure design. We work at the cutting edge of engineering, where your creativity and expertise are crucial to developing groundbreaking solutions. Our portfolio includes innovative works across the US, from the High Line in NYC to the Verdugo Wash Visioning in Glendale, CA. As a leader in sustainable and resilient infrastructure, we offer unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, diverse and inclusive practices, and the chance to contribute to a more equitable world.

Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.

From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.

• Impactful Projects: Lead innovative designs that transform urban landscapes and set new standards in sustainability and resilience.
• Career Advancement: Clear pathways to leadership roles within a growing team, supported by mentorship programs and hands‑on experience in client relations and project management.
• Collaborative Environment: Work alongside top architects, urban planners, and sustainability experts to create holistic solutions.
• Global Reach: Contribute to international projects and expand your professional network across our global offices.
• Continuous Learning: Stay at the forefront of the industry with opportunities to attend conferences, publish thought pieces, and engage in cutting‑edge research.

Your next role

As an Associate Civil Engineer and key member of our North American Civil Infrastructure Team, you'll lead the design and development of resilient and sustainable civil engineering solutions. Your role will involve:

• Technical Contributions: Provide technical input and innovative solutions for challenging engineering problems, particularly in sustainable and resilient design.
• Project Management: Manage complex and multi‑disciplinary projects from conception to completion, ensuring technical quality and adherence to budgets and timelines.
• Client Relations: Lead client interactions, helping to understand their needs and translate them into effective engineering solutions.
• Quality Assurance: Contribute to maintaining high standards of work across projects.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Lead collaboration efforts with experts from various disciplines, including geotechnical engineering, transportation planning, environmental engineering, economics, sustainability, mobility, and energy to develop holistic solutions.
• Innovation: Contribute to the adoption of new technologies and methodologies in civil engineering.
• Sustainability Focus: Support sustainable and green infrastructure practices, ensuring their integration into projects.
• Professional Development: Provide guidance and mentorship to junior engineers, fostering their technical and professional development while continuing to advance your own expertise.
• Advisory Services: Provide expert consultation to clients, government agencies, and partner organizations on complex infrastructure challenges, sustainable design strategies, and resilience planning. Represent Buro Happold in high‑level discussions and decision‑making processes that shape the future of urban environments.
• Strategic Team Planning: Contribute to the development of long‑term strategies for the Civil Infrastructure Team, identifying emerging trends and opportunities for innovation.

Your Skills And Experience

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
• Professional Experience: 8+ years in progressively challenging civil engineering projects.
• Licensing: PE license required.
• Technical Proficiency: Proficient in Civil3D, GIS, and AutoCAD. Familiarity with emerging technologies in civil engineering.
• Core Knowledge: Knowledge of hydrologic and hydraulic analysis, utility design, grading, earthwork, sustainable design practices, and green infrastructure.
• Project Management: Experience in supporting project delivery, including assisting with crafting scopes of work, schedules, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Communication: Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to present technical information clearly.
• Teamwork: Ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and contribute to a collaborative environment.
• Industry Engagement: Interest in participating in professional organizations and contributing to the field of sustainable infrastructure.
• Project Portfolio: Demonstrated track record of successfully delivered complex civil engineering projects.
• Adaptive Leadership: Readiness to push boundaries, rally teams around novel challenges, and engineer bespoke solutions in unfamiliar territories.

What We Offer

• Salary range of $125,000 – $155,000. This will be determined based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, and/or experience.
• Generous benefits package.
• Annual discretionary bonus.
• Generous PTO (4 weeks) in addition to 10 paid holidays.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Hybrid working & summer hours.
• Reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees.
• Connection to global network of experts on the forefront of industry initiatives.
• Access to wide ranging learning and development opportunities.
• Be a part of supporting our diverse company culture through open engagement with our Young Employees Forum, Diversity and Inclusion Forum, Buro Happold Women's Network, and/or our Black at Buro Happold Employee Resource Groups.

A place for everyone

Buro Happold values an individual's flexible approaches to working patterns as an important part of how you work and achieve balance. We welcome applications from those who are seeking flexibility in their careers.

Our exceptional portfolio of projects is the result of the diversity of thought, identities, backgrounds, and experiences that shape us. Appreciating each other’s differences is key, we want employees to feel they don’t have to mask elements of their identity to thrive.

We are working to change the lack of representation of marginalised groups in the built environment. We are particularly keen to hear from anyone who feels they are underrepresented in the industry. We have much to learn from one another. Embracing differences allows us to develop the most innovative and elegant solutions.

Please let us know if there are any adjustments we could make to the application process to make it easier and more comfortable for you. Contact [e-mail] so we can work with you to support you throughout your application.