Civil Design Engineer

Coterra Engineering; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Coterra Engineering, a Seattle-based civil engineering firm, is seeking a Civil Design Engineer to join on-site in Seattle, WA. You will prepare design plans, reports, and calculations for stormwater management, site grading, utilities, and roadwork, collaborating with project leads and clients from concept through permitting.

Qualifications include a BSCE, proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and MS Office, and strong communication skills.

Qualifications

• Education: BSCE or closely related field.
• Software: AutoCAD Civil 3D and MS Office proficiency.
• Core skills: civil design, site layout, grading, utilities, stormwater management.
• Communication: strong writing, problem solving, teamwork.

Responsibilities

• Design & Drafting: produce complete, code-compliant civil designs and docs.
• Stormwater & Hydrology: model design and green infra integration.
• Project Coordination: work with PMs, architects, sub-consultants, clients.
• Permitting & Compliance: support City of Seattle and agencies' permitting.
• Analysis & Documentation: perform calculations, site feasibility, cost estimates.
• Quality & Collaboration: participate in design reviews and field visits.

Skills

Civil design

Site layout

Grading

Stormwater management

Team collaboration

Education

BSCE in Civil Engineering

EIT or PE license (WA) preferred

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Microsoft Office

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Coterra Engineering is a premier Seattle-based civil engineering firm delivering innovative, cost-effective site development and infrastructure solutions. We partner with both public agencies and private organizations across diverse markets—specializing in multi-family and affordable housing, schools and campuses, parks, transportation infrastructure, and municipal facilities. Our team thrives on collaboration, community building, and technical excellence. Located in Seattle’s Phinney Ridge neighborhood, we pride ourselves on delivering high-impact projects that shape the local built environment.

Civil Design Engineer

To join our on-site team in Seattle, WA. In this role, you will play a central part in preparing comprehensive design plans, reports, and calculations for stormwater management, site grading, utility design, and roadway improvements. You will work closely with project leads, architects, sub-consultants, and local agencies to move projects from concept through final permitting and construction.

Key Responsibilities

• Design & Drafting: Produce complete, code-compliant civil design plans and construction documents using AutoCAD Civil 3D (site layout, grading, paving, utilities, and drainage).
• Stormwater & Hydrology: Conduct stormwater management design, low-impact/green infrastructure integration, and hydrologic modeling.
• Project Coordination: Work directly with project managers, architects, sub-consultants, and clients to align design goals and resolve technical challenges.
• Permitting & Compliance: Review local codes/standards and support jurisdictional permitting processes with the City of Seattle and neighboring agencies.
• Analysis & Documentation: Perform engineering calculations, perform site feasibility analyses, assist with cost estimates, and maintain precise project documentation.
• Quality & Collaboration: Participate in design reviews, quality control checks, team meetings, and periodic field/site visits.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (BSCE) or a closely related field.
• Technical Software: Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D and Microsoft Office.
• Core Engineering Skills: Proven background in civil design, site layout, grading, utility design, and stormwater management.
• Communication & Teamwork: Excellent technical writing, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills with the ability to thrive in a small team setting.

Preferred Qualifications

• Licensure: EIT certification or a Professional Engineer (PE) license in Washington State (or ability to obtain via reciprocity).
• Stormwater Software: Experience with regional modeling tools such as WWHM or MGSFlood.
• Local Knowledge: Familiarity with Washington State and City of Seattle codes, design standards, and agency permitting processes.

Why Join Coterra?

• Impactful Work: Work on meaningful community development projects, from affordable housing initiatives to sustainable green infrastructure across the Pacific Northwest.
• Collaborative Environment: Join a close-knit, supportive team where your voice is heard and your contributions directly impact project outcomes.
• Growth & Mentorship: Expand your skills across the full life cycle of civil engineering.