Civil Engineer - Principal

Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. in Knoxville, TN seeks a Civil Engineering Principal to lead the Civil/Site Practice, mentor engineers and PMs, and drive client relationships in a dynamic regulatory environment.

You will oversee proposals, budgets, and quality control, while supporting staff development and recruiting. The role offers ownership potential and professional growth through leadership opportunities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering required; Master's preferred.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is required or clearly active.
• 15+ years civil engineering experience or an equivalent mix of experience/education.
• CPESC, CFM, or PMP certifications are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Apply advanced engineering principles to manage complex projects.
• Lead, mentor and develop teams of engineers and project managers.
• Grow and develop clients in Real Estate, Oil & Gas, Renewables, Manufacturing.
• Lead client- and professional-development initiatives.
• Oversee project budgets, AR/WIP, and financial performance.
• Develop scopes of service and direct profitable projects.
• Hire and mentor staff to support growth and capabilities.
• Communicate effectively with staff, clients, regulators, and contractors.
• Present at public meetings and hearings as needed.
• Demonstrate leadership and foster a collaborative culture.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Business development

Client relations

Project management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Professional Engineer (P.E.)

Tools

CPESC

CFM

PMP

Job description

As a Civil Engineering Principal for Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) in our Knoxville, TN office, you’ll partner with senior leadership to grow the Civil/Site Practice, strengthen client relationships, and guide stakeholders through the regulatory environment while ensuring technical excellence. You’ll lead and mentor a team of engineers and project managers, oversee proposals, budgets, and quality control, and support recruiting and staff development. At the same time, senior leadership will work with you to shape your own career path through targeted professional development, mentoring, and involvement in office and corporate initiatives.

At CEC, every team member is personally invested in serving our clients with integrity, delivering results that matter, and growing meaningful careers. As employee-owners, we’re accountable not just for our work, but for creating an environment that supports and challenges one another. Our people are our priority — and that’s what drives us to dig deeper, collaborate smarter, and build lasting relationships inside and outside of our company.

Key Responsibilities

• Apply advanced engineering principles and practices to manage complex projects
• Develop, lead, and mentor teams of engineers and project managers to achieve technical and professional excellence
• Grow and develop established and new clients in the Real Estate, Oil & Gas, Renewables, and Manufacturing sectors
• Participate in and lead internal and external client- and professional-development initiatives
• Lead financial management of projects (AR/WIP), including resolving complex accounting or legal issues
• Develop scopes of service and project budgets (proposals) and direct projects profitably
• Hire, recruit, mentor, and develop staff members to support career growth and office capabilities
• Communicate effectively with staff, clients, contractors, and regulatory officials, both verbally and in writing
• Present at public meetings and hearings with qualifications sufficient to provide expert testimony
• Demonstrate leadership and commitment to mentoring junior staff while fostering a collaborative team culture

Our Knoxville office, located in the heart of East Tennessee, is home to a dynamic and collaborative team of professionals. Nestled near the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville offers a unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and a strong sense of community. The city boasts excellent schools and a thriving downtown with restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor spaces. Whether you're exploring the nearby national park, enjoying a University of Tennessee game, or connecting with a supportive professional network, Knoxville is a great place to live, work, and grow.

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering; Master's degree preferred
• Professional Engineering License (P.E.)
• 15+ years of civil engineering experience or a relevant combination of experience and education
• Additional professional certifications such as CPESC, CFM, or PMP are a plus

Preferred Capabilities

• Demonstrated leadership in managing large, complex civil engineering projects
• Experience mentoring and developing engineering staff
• Proven track record in business development and client relationship management
• Experience integrating multidisciplinary teams and coordinating across projects

We have experts! CEC is consistently ranked as a Top 500 Design Firm and Top 200 Environmental Firm by Engineering News-Record. We are looking for people who enjoy using their education and experience to solve difficult technical problems and work on interesting projects. You can accomplish this while working with a team of professionals who are equally motivated to provide high levels of service to our clients and to teach you along the way.

We have support! We have a variety of Employee Resource Groups, including CEC Community - focused on giving back to the communities in which we work; CEC Ignite - focused on helping professionals early in their careers to develop their pathway; CEC iDEA - focused on inclusion, diversity, equality, and acceptance; and CEC Women - focused on creating internal and external opportunities for women to network and leverage professional experience!

We care about our people! People and Culture are two of the five elements of our strategic plan. When you care about your people, they will want to grow a career with you - that is our goal. CEC offers you a small-firm work environment with large-firm opportunities. Not only will we help you develop professionally, but we will also provide an opportunity to become an owner of the firm and share in its success.

CEC offers a matching 401(k); profit sharing; a performance bonus; company stock; medical, dental, and vision insurance; short and long-term disability; tuition assistance; professional development; and work-life balance.

CEC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.