Civil Designer

Kimley-Horn; Charlotte (NC); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

2:1 company match on 4% of eligible 1

Low-cost health coverage

Flexible time off

Student loan matching (401(k))

Tuition reimbursement

New Parent Leave

Job summary

Kimley-Horn is seeking a Civil Design Technician in our Charlotte, NC office with 6+ years of civil design and land development experience. The role focuses on hands-on design production and delivering complex land development projects with engineers, PMs, and clients.

You will lead preparation of construction documents, coordinate with multiple internal teams, and mentor junior designers while ensuring plans meet KH standards and client requirements. This position is on-site in Charlotte, NC.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in civil design / land development.
• Strong experience with grading, drainage, and utility design.
• Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Experience producing construction-ready plan sets.
• Strong understanding of local standards (Charlotte / NC preferred).
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead production of civil design plans for land development projects.
• Develop construction documents (plan sets, profiles, details, and exhibits) with accuracy.
• Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D daily for design, modeling, and plan production.
• Support engineers and PMs with design calculations, redlines, and plan development.
• Coordinate with roadway, surface water, and landscape teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Assist with permitting and plan submittals for local municipalities and agencies (City of Charlotte, NCDOT, etc.).
• Review and QA/QC plans to ensure compliance with KH standards and client requirements.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to team development.

Skills

Civil design

Grading & drainage

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Construction documents

Independent work

Coordination

Tools

Hydraflow

HydroCAD

Job description

Overview

Our Charlotte, North Carolina (NC) office is looking for a Civil Design Technician with 6+ years of experience to join our Land Development team!

This role is ideal for a highly skilled designer who enjoys hands‑on production work and supporting the delivery of complex land development projects.

You’ll play a key role in producing high-quality design plans while working closely with engineers, project managers, and clients across a variety of project types.

Responsibilities

• Lead the production of civil design plans for land development projects, including:
  • Site layout
  • Grading and earthwork
  • Drainage and stormwater systems
  • Utility design (water, sewer, storm)
• Develop construction documents (plan sets, profiles, details, and exhibits) with a high level of accuracy and efficiency
• Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D daily for design, modeling, and plan production
• Support engineers and PMs with design calculations, redlines, and plan development
• Coordinate with internal teams (roadway, surface water, landscape architecture) to deliver integrated solutions
• Assist with permitting and plan submittals for local municipalities and agencies (City of Charlotte, NCDOT, etc.)
• Review and QA/QC plans to ensure compliance with KH standards and client requirements
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to team development

Qualifications

• Required Qualifications:
  • 6+ years of experience in civil design / land development
  • Strong experience with grading, drainage, and utility design
  • Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • Experience producing construction-ready plan sets
  • Strong understanding of local standards (Charlotte / NC preferred)
  • Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
• Preferred (but not required):
  • Experience supporting both commercial and residential development projects
  • Familiarity with stormwater design tools (Hydraflow, HydroCAD, etc.)
  • Experience reviewing plans and mentoring junior staff
  • Exposure to construction-phase support (RFIs, revisions, etc.)

Why Kimley-Horn?

At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it- that's why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn's placement on the Fortune "100 Best Companies to Work" list for 19 years!

Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn

• Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.