Coastal Engineer (PE)

HDR; Austin (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is looking for a Coastal Engineer (PE) to join our team and contribute to innovative coastal restoration projects across Texas. This full-time position emphasizes sustainable solutions to manage coastal waters and support public health.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, a PE license, and at least 5 years of relevant experience. Join us to lead change and drive progress in environmental sustainability.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in coastal engineering projects.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Strong familiarity with coastal and estuarine hydrodynamics.

Responsibilities

• Lead coastal restoration project analysis and design.
• Perform engineering design for dredging and beach nourishment.
• Develop construction plans for Texas coastal projects.
• Support numerical modeling for wave and tidal analysis.
• Build strong client relationships representing HDR.

Skills

Analytical Skills

Communication Skills

Coastal Engineering

Project Management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MS degree in Coastal, Ocean, or Civil Engineering

Job description

Overview

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

Role Summary

Coastal Engineer (PE) to join our nationally ranked team of coastal professionals. We’re looking for individuals passionate about restoring and protecting coastlines through innovative, resilient, and sustainable solutions. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to impactful projects along the Texas coast while collaborating with a team of leading engineers, scientists, and modelers.

Responsibilities

• Lead the analysis and design of coastal restoration projects, including:
  • Marsh restoration
  • Beach nourishment
  • Shoreline protection and stabilization
• Perform engineering design for dredging, beach nourishment, and coastal restoration projects, including:
  • Channel layout and alignment
  • Dredging production estimates
  • Placement area and beneficial use design
  • Shoreline protection and stabilization
• Develop construction plans and specifications for successful project implementation, particularly along the Texas coast
• Contribute to and collaborate with a growing team of numerical modeling experts, supporting development of:
  • Wave models
  • Tidal circulation models
  • Storm surge analyses
  • Vessel-induced wave modeling
• Support and lead:
  • Proposal development
  • Scope definition
  • Cost estimating
  • Project management activities
• Build and maintain strong client relationships, representing HDR within the community and industry

Preferred Qualifications

• MS degree in Coastal, Ocean, or Civil engineering preferred
• A minimum of 5 years of experience in coastal engineering projects
• Experience with numerical modeling of waves, tidal circulation, and storm surge. Alternatively, strong experience in development of construction plans, specifications, and project management. The candidate may focus on technical topics or engineering design and execution.
• Strong analytical and communication skills
• Familiarity with wave growth and transformation, coastal and estuarine hydrodynamics, littoral processes, sediment transport, marine dredging, and basic geotechnical or structural systems
• Ability to work independently in addition to planning, organizing, and assisting groups of medium to large teams of professionals and technicians dependent on project/task

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent field
• Previous experience in water resources engineering projects
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States-Texas-Houston
Other Locations: United States-Texas-Corpus Christi, United States-Mississippi-Flowood, United States-Florida-Doral, United States-Texas-Austin, United States-Florida-Tampa, United States-Louisiana-Metairie, United States-Florida-Pensacola, United States-Florida-Fort Lauderdale, United States-Louisiana-Lafayette, United States-Florida-Jacksonville
Industry: Water
Schedule: Full-time
Employee Status: Regular
BusinessClass: Coastal Engineering
Job Posting: Jun 24, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.