Design Engineer - Water Resources

Bolton & Menk, Inc; Ames (IA); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Flexible schedules

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Bolton & Menk, Inc. in Ames, IA seeks a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Water Resources team. You will support a range of stormwater design, hydrology, and modeling projects for municipal and private clients, from preliminary design through construction.

Open to a December 2026 or May 2027 graduate or an EIT with 1–3 years of experience. Some travel and fieldwork may be required as part of project duties.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with emphasis on water resources or related field.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) or able to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• Proficiency with CAD and design software (AutoCAD Civil3D, MicroStation).
• Ability to learn drainage modeling software (XPSWMM, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS).
• Valid driver’s license for site visits and travel.
• Experience with GIS software (ArcPro) is preferred.
• Experience or coursework in hydrology and open-channel hydraulics.

Responsibilities

• Assist Project Engineers with design and construction phase activities.
• Develop hydrologic and hydraulic modeling for municipal systems.
• Assist CAD production of storm drain improvements and SWPPPs.
• Support NPDES and MS4 compliance and permitting coordination.
• Prepare drainage plans, cost estimates, and take-offs.
• Develop regional stormwater plans or floodplain modeling.
• Assist with design and permitting for stream and wetland restoration.
• Conduct fieldwork including SWPPP inspections and site measurements.

Skills

CAD proficiency

Hydrologic modeling

GIS basics

Open channel hydraulics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

EIT certification

Tools

AutoCAD Civil3D

MicroStation

XPSWMM

HEC-RAS

HEC-HMS

ArcPro

Storm & Sanitary

Job description

Bolton & Menk has an exciting opportunity for a Design Engineer, EIT, to join our Water Resources team in the Ames office. As a Top Workplace, this is a fantastic chance to work with a talented team of professionals and make a lasting impact on the communities we serve. With over 75 years of experience, Bolton & Menk specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions across the Midwest, Southeast, and beyond.

This is an opportunity to support a variety of interesting and complex stormwater quality, drainage design, and modeling projects for our growing list of municipal, watershed, and private clients throughout the Midwest and beyond. We are looking to add aDesign Engineerwho will help foster our mission that All People Should Live in Safe, Sustainable and Beautiful Communities!

As a design engineer with Bolton & Menk, you will be supporting a team of engineers providing technical analysis, drainage design, plan development, and modeling to take your projects from preliminary design through construction. This position is open to a December 2026, May 2027 graduate or an EIT with 1-3 years of experience.

What You Will Be Doing:

• Assist Project Engineers with design and construction phase activities on water resources related projects
• Develop hydrologic and hydraulic modeling for municipal storm drain systems and stormwater treatment
• Assist with CAD production of storm drain improvements, and Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs)
• Assist Project Engineers with NPDES and MS4 compliance and Watershed district permitting and coordination
• Assist with producing project drainage plans and specifications, preparing cost and quantity take-off estimates
• Develop regional stormwater plans and/or floodplain modeling and analysis
• Assist with design and permitting for Stream Restoration and Wetland Restoration projects
• Field work may include SWPPP inspections, infiltration testing, field measurements, site visits, and/or construction observation, including interacting with contractors, sub-contractors, residents and City staff

What We Are Looking For:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering with an emphasis on water resources or bio-systems engineering, or equivalent program from an accredited college
• Certified Engineer-in-Training or able to obtain within 12 months of hire
• Working knowledge and skills in CAD and design software.(i.e. AutoCAD Civil3D, MicroStation)
• Ability to learn and utilize drainage modeling and design software (XPSWMM, AutoDesk Storm & Sanitary, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS)
• Possess a valid drivers license as travel to various facilities and job sites may be required
• Experience or coursework with GIS software, (ArcPro)
• Experience or coursework in hydrology, open channel hydraulics, and associated modeling (HydroCAD, HEC-RAS)

Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis, part-time basis or internship for any employer without restriction. Bolton & Menk does not provide visa sponsorship or immigration support for this position.

WHY BOLTON & MENK?
Bolton & Menk, Inc. specializes in providing community infrastructure solutions. Since 1949, we have been committed to improving quality of life through engineering excellence and client satisfaction. From advocating for our communities to designing their dreams to finding funding; we take pride in our work because we live in these same communities. Today, Bolton & Menk has more than 1,000 employees throughout more than 40 locations in Minnesota, Iowa, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Colorado, North Carolina and South Carolina providing services to more than 400 communities and agencies. Learn more about our history here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/about-us/

OUR BENEFITS
At Bolton & Menk, we value our people and provide an exceptional Total Compensation and Benefits Package to protect our most valuable asset. We are committed to the well-being of our employees and their families. Perks of being a Bolton & Menk employee include peace of mind with our benefits package and competitive compensation plan, flexible schedules, and career development opportunities. Learn more here: https://www.bolton-menk.com/careers

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Bolton & Menk does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party agencies in response to Bolton & Menk job postings. No fee will be paid to third parties who submit unsolicited candidates directly to our hiring managers. Pre-approval from the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team is required before any external candidate can be submitted and such candidate must be submitted to the Bolton & Menk Talent Acquisition team.

It is our responsibility and privilege to embrace the diversity of people, thoughts, and experiences necessary to develop infrastructure systems that serve all people. Bolton & Menk, Inc., is an Equal Employment Opportunity / Aff

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

Education

Preferred

Bachelor of Science or better in Civil Engineering or related field.

Microsoft Word

Intermediate

Microsoft Excel

Intermediate