Drainage Design Engineer

HR Green, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership opportunities

Performance-based bonus program

401(k) with employer match

Job summary

HR Green, Inc. seeks an experienced Drainage Design Engineer in Houston to lead drainage, hydrology and hydraulic analyses, and take ownership of deliverables. You will support municipal and transportation projects, mentor staff, and coordinate with Project Managers.

The role emphasizes client communication, technical leadership, and QA/QC across planning, design, and construction phases.

Qualifications

• Degree in civil engineering or related field from an accredited program.
• Minimum 6+ years of progressive drainage design experience.
• PE license in one or more states or ability to obtain within 6 months.

Responsibilities

• Lead drainage, hydrology, and hydraulic analyses and designs.
• Coordinate with project managers on planning, schedules, and staffing.
• Mentor junior engineers and review technical work.
• Communicate with clients on technical matters and proposals.

Skills

Drainage design

Hydrology & hydraulics

Geopak Drainage

OpenRoads ORD-DU

Project leadership

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Civil Engineering

Tools

Geopak Drainage

ORD-DU OpenRoads

Job description

Design Infrastructure That Keeps Communities Moving

At HR Green, our mission is simple: Building Communities. Improving Lives.

For more than 110 years, we've partnered with municipalities, counties, transportation agencies, and public-sector clients to deliver infrastructure solutions that strengthen communities and improve quality of life.

Today, we're proud to be consistently ranked on Engineering News-Record's Top 500 Design Firms list while also earning recognition as a Great Place to Work.

We're seeking an experienced Drainage Design Engineer to join our growing Drainage / Hydrology & Hydraulics team in Houston.

What You'll Do

As a Drainage Design Engineer, you'll serve as a key technical contributor on drainage and water resources projects while taking on increasing responsibility for project delivery, client communication, mentoring, and team coordination.

Drainage Design & Technical Leadership

• Independently lead drainage, hydrology, and hydraulic analysis and design assignments using professional engineering judgment.
• Support drainage analysis and design for municipal, county, and state roadway improvement projects.
• Make significant design decisions and take ownership of engineering deliverables from development through completion.
• Serve as a technical expert on assigned projects and provide guidance to engineering and technical staff.
• Perform formal and informal QA/QC reviews to ensure accuracy, quality, and consistency of project deliverables.
• Prepare, review, sign, and seal engineering documents as an authorized representative of HR Green.
• Apply strong analytical and problem-solving skills to both routine and complex engineering challenges.
• Utilize Geopak Drainage and OpenRoads Designer - Drainage and Utilities (ORD-DU) in project delivery.

Project Leadership & Client Exposure

• Work closely with Project Managers on project planning, execution, schedules, staffing, and deliverables.
• Serve as Project Manager on smaller-scope or specialty projects as assigned, providing valuable experience for continued career advancement.
• Assign tasks and schedules to junior engineers and technical team members, answer questions, and monitor progress.
• Communicate directly with clients on technical matters and participate in project meetings and discussions.
• Support projects across planning, design, and construction phases, gaining visibility into the full project lifecycle.
• Participate in the preparation of engineering services proposals, including project schedules and fee estimates.

Mentorship & Professional Growth

• Mentor junior engineers and provide day-to-day technical guidance.
• Work alongside experienced engineers and Project Managers who can provide technical mentorship and career guidance.
• Build client-facing experience and develop the relationship-management skills needed for future project leadership.
• Gain exposure to project management and business development while continuing to deepen your technical expertise.
• Participate in professional organizations and industry activities that expand your technical expertise and professional network.

What You Bring

You're a licensed engineer with strong drainage design experience who is ready to take the next step beyond technical production. You enjoy solving complex problems, taking ownership of your work, collaborating directly with clients, and helping less-experienced engineers develop.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline from an accredited university.
• 6+ years of progressive design/engineering experience, including previous drainage design experience.
• Current Professional Engineer (PE) registration in one or more states where HR Green conducts business, or the ability to obtain appropriate registration within six months of employment.
• Demonstrated ability to independently complete engineering designs and act as an authorized representative of the company to sign engineering documents.
• Experience with drainage, hydrology, and hydraulic analysis and design.
• Proficiency with Geopak Drainage and/or OpenRoads Designer - Drainage and Utilities (ORD-DU).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to apply professional engineering knowledge to routine and complex assignments.
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills, including the ability to read and interpret engineering plans and technical literature.

Preferred Qualifications

Highly desirable candidates will also possess:

• Drainage design experience associated with roadway or transportation improvement projects.
• Experience supporting municipal, county, or state agency clients.
• Experience providing technical direction or mentorship to junior engineers.
• Client-facing project experience.
• Experience supporting project scopes, schedules, proposals, and fee development.
• Interest in growing toward project management, technical leadership, or a combination of both.

Why HR Green?

At HR Green, you'll join an employee-owned firm where your contributions directly impact our success - and your future.

For an experienced drainage engineer, this role offers more than another design position. It's an opportunity to expand your influence, take ownership of projects, strengthen client relationships, and intentionally build the skills that support your next career move.

• Take ownership of meaningful work rather than simply completing assigned design tasks.
• Work on a diverse portfolio of municipal, county, and state roadway and drainage projects.
• Gain direct client exposure and become a trusted technical resource to the agencies and communities we serve.
• Build project management experience by leading smaller and specialty projects.
• Continue developing technically with access to experienced engineers, mentorship, and collaborative problem-solving.
• Mentor junior engineers and expand your own leadership capabilities.
• Increase your involvement in proposals, professional organizations, and business development.
• Build a flexible career path toward project management, technical leadership, or both.
• Share in the success of an employee-owned firm where your contributions help create long-term value.

Benefits

Not only does HR Green provide you with a place to grow, thrive, and enjoy your work, but we are also dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and multi-faceted benefits package, including:

• Employee ownership opportunities
• Performance-based bonus program
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans with immediate employer-match vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Paid parental leave
• Two paid volunteer days each year
• Flexible career paths and advancement opportunities
• A collaborative culture that values innovation, teamwork, and professional growth

Visit our website for detailed Total Rewards information.

HR Green is proud to be an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.