Civil Engineer - Public Works (PE)

AKS Engineering & Forestry; Richland (WA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) match

Paid holidays

PTO

Job summary

AKS Engineering & Forestry in Richland, WA is seeking a Professional Engineer (PE) to lead municipal public works projects as Engineer of Record, reviewing development applications and guiding planning through construction.

You will manage multiple projects, supervise teams, attend planning meetings, and help clients with budgeting and design standards. A Bachelor's in civil engineering, 5+ years of civil work, and an active PE license are required; AutoCAD and GIS skills are a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Minimum of 5 years of civil engineering experience, focusing on public infrastructure.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, GIS, and project management tools.
• Strong verbal and written communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Serve as Engineer of Record for municipal public infrastructure projects.
• Represent municipalities in review, plan approval, and project closeout.
• Attend pre-application, pre-construction, Planning Commission, and City Council meetings.
• Assist with budgeting, planning, and rate studies for municipal clients.
• Support modification of Public Works ordinances, design standards, and construction specs.
• Develop competitive grant applications for infrastructure funding.
• Review development applications and provide written recommendations.
• Review construction documents for compliance with standards.
• Support development agreements with private developers.
• Prepare designs and procurement for public improvement projects.
• Oversee project management and construction observation for varied projects.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Public engagement

Team coordination

Ownership mindset

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

GIS

Project management tools

Job description

At AKS, we are growing and building for the future. We bring together multidisciplined experts across the land development, energy, and infrastructure markets to take on bigger challenges and deliver solutions that make a real difference. Our teams combine creativity, technical excellence, and a collaborative, hands‑on approach to solve complex problems and deliver results our clients and communities can count on. We take pride in our work and our ability to provide opportunities for our teams, support each other’s growth, and look ahead to what’s next. When you join AKS, you will find opportunities to take ownership of meaningful projects, learn, lead, and make an impact from day one.

We’re looking for an experienced Professional Engineer (PE) to join our Public Works Team. In this role, you’ll serve as Engineer of Record for municipal clients, managing public infrastructure projects, reviewing development applications, and helping cities and agencies navigate the complexities of planning, design, and construction. If you’re passionate about public infrastructure and want to make an impact on growing communities, this could be the perfect opportunity for you.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as Engineer of Record for municipal clients, ensuring the integrity and success of public infrastructure projects.
• Act as the municipal representative for review, plan approval, construction management, and project closeout of development or planning projects prepared by other professional engineers.
• Attend and actively participate in pre‑application, pre‑construction, Planning Commission, and City Council meetings.
• Assist municipal clients with budgeting, planning, and rate studies.
• Support municipal clients in modifying Public Works ordinances, design standards, and construction specifications.
• Help develop competitive grant applications for public infrastructure funding.
• Review development applications and provide written recommendations and/or conditions of approval based on applicable standards.
• Review and provide feedback on construction documents to ensure compliance with municipal and regulatory requirements.
• Support clients with development agreements with private developers.
• Provide design, preparation of, and technical solicitation for public improvement projects, including construction plans, bid documents, procurement, and construction oversight.
• Oversee project management and construction observation for public improvement projects of varying size and complexity.

Who You Are

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in civil engineering, with a focus on public infrastructure projects.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Proficiency in engineering software such as AutoCAD, GIS, and project management tools.
• Strong understanding of civil engineering principles, construction methods, and regulatory requirements for public infrastructure and site development.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for collaboration and public engagement.
• Demonstrated leadership and supervisory experience.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and teams while meeting deadlines.
• You have a “Do what needs to be done” mindset, taking ownership beyond assigned tasks and stepping in wherever needed to keep projects, teams, and customers supported and running smoothly.

Nice To Have

• In‑depth understanding of public infrastructure regulations and construction practices.
• Knowledge of municipal budgeting and master planning processes.
• Detail‑oriented with a proactive problem‑solving mindset.

Why AKS?

At AKS, we believe your work should support your life, not the other way around. Here’s what you can count on when you join our team:

• Meaningful Growth: Whether you’re just starting out or looking to advance, we offer hands‑on training, mentorship, and clear paths for professional development so you can grow with purpose.
• Real Collaboration: Join a team that brings diverse perspectives together to solve complex challenges with creativity, curiosity, and a shared commitment to quality.
• Respect for Your Time: We value work‑life balance and offer generous PTO and a supportive environment that helps you manage both personal and professional responsibilities.
• Benefits That Care: You’ll have access to health coverage that supports your total well‑being, plus a 401(k) match, paid holidays, and more resources to help you thrive.
• Weekly Team Lunches: Take a break and recharge with your teammates, we believe food brings people together.
• Culture That Connects: We invest in experiences that build strong teams and strong communities.
• A Place People Love to Work: We’ve been named one of the Top Workplaces year after year.

Join us and be part of a team that values your contributions, celebrates initiative, and is committed to doing things the right way for our employees, clients, and communities.