Civil Designer

Kimley-Horn; Charlotte (NC); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Retirement plan

Health coverage

Time off

Student loan matching

Tuition reimbursement

New parent leave

Job summary

Kimley-Horn in Charlotte, NC seeks a Civil Design Technician with 6+ years of experience to join our Land Development team. You will lead production of high-quality civil design plans, collaborating with engineers, PMs, and clients on diverse projects.

You will develop construction documents, perform design calculations, and use AutoCAD Civil 3D daily. The role includes mentoring junior staff and supporting permitting with local agencies.

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 the production of civil design plans for land development projects, including site layout, grading and earthwork, drainage and utilities.
• Develop construction documents (plan sets, profiles, details, exhibits) with high 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 internal teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Assist with permitting and plan submittals for local municipalities and agencies.
• Review and QA/QC plans to ensure KH standards and client requirements.
• Mentor junior designers and contribute to team development.

Skills

Civil design

Grading & drainage

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Construction documents

Project coordination

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

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.