Drainage Engineering Leader

Gai-Consultants; Tampa (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive Pay & Recognition

Medical, dental, and vision plans

401(k) with company match

Job summary

GAI Consultants is seeking a Senior Drainage Engineer to lead transportation drainage projects across Florida, leveraging 15+ years of FDOT drainage experience and deep expertise in stormwater management and hydraulic analysis.

Ideal candidates will have urban and large-scale limited-access drainage experience, strong permitting knowledge for Florida water districts, and a track record of guiding drainage teams and strategic direction on complex projects.

Qualifications

• 15+ years of experience with FDOT drainage projects.
• Urban drainage and large-scale limited-access drainage experience preferred.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license required.
• Experience mentoring staff and leading drainage teams.
• Experience obtaining stormwater permits with Florida regulatory districts.

Responsibilities

• Lead transportation drainage projects across Florida.
• Guide drainage teams and provide strategic engineering direction.
• Mentor staff and influence statewide transportation initiatives.
• Manage permitting with SJRWMD, SFWMD, SWFWMD, FDEP, NWFWMD.
• Oversee pond siting and bridge hydraulic reports.

Skills

FDOT drainage experience

Stormwater management

Hydraulic analysis

Leadership experience

Education

B.S./M.S. Engineering

Master's Degree or equivalent experience

Tools

MicroStation ORD Drainage

GeoPAK Drainage

ICPR

HEC-RAS

Job description

GAI Consultants is seeking a Senior Drainage Engineer to lead transportation drainage projects across Florida, requiring 15+ years of FDOT drainage experience and strong expertise in stormwater management, permitting, and hydraulic analysis. The ideal candidate has experience with urban and limited-access roadway drainage systems, local government transportation projects, and permitting through Florida water management districts and regulatory agencies. This is a senior leadership role focused on guiding drainage teams, influencing statewide transportation initiatives, mentoring staff, and providing strategic engineering direction on complex projects.

Key attributes and experience should include:

• 15 years+ of experience working in Transportation drainage projects with the Florida Department of Transportation across the State. Experience with FDOT D5, D2, D3, and the Turnpike is preferred.
• Urban drainage and large-scale limited access drainage experience is desired.
• Experience with local government clients on transportation and/or trail projects
• Experience in obtaining stormwater permits with SJRWMD, SFWMD, SWFWMD, FDEP, and/or NWFLWMD.
• Proficiency in Pond Siting and Bridge Hydraulic reports is preferred.
• Knowledge of ICPR, HEC-RAS is preferred.
• Direct experience in MicroStation ORD Drainage and/or GeoPAK Drainage is preferred.
• Experience in managing a drainage team and staff is preferred.

General Characteristics

• Makes decisions with broad influence on activities of their practices.
• Makes authoritative decisions and recommendations that are conclusive and have a far-reaching impact on the practice and the industry.
• Demonstrates a high degree of creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in planning, organizing, and guiding projects and activities of major consequence.
• Provides leadership and develops and engages others to create a common vision for their projects and the practice.
• Assesses the acceptability of engineering economic analyses and the risks associated with solutions to complex engineering problems.
• Evaluates solutions to complex problems that involve multiple specialty areas of engineering.
• Advocates for ethical behavior in the practice of engineering and assesses courses of resolution to ethical dilemmas in complicated situations.

Experience

• 15+ years of experience.

Education

• B.S. or M.S. Engineering, Master's Degree or Equivalent Experience Preferred

Certification/Licensure

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License, reciprocity in multiple states.
• Driver's License

Technical Responsibilities

• Frequently performs advisory or consulting work for the practice across broad project areas or within a specialized area with innovative/complex aspects.
• Assesses practices and requirements to achieve sustainable performance of complex engineering projects from a systems perspective.

Project and Task Management

• Evaluates project management plans for complex engineering projects.
• Develops risk mitigation plans to address project risks.
• Evaluates effectiveness of leaders and teams.

Management, Supervision and Guidance

• Leads an entire project of critical importance.
• Develops projects needed for accomplishing the objectives of the practice.
• Develops practice strategy for staff development through mentored experience, continuing education, and self-development.
• Instills and fosters professional attitudes within the practice.

Communication, Teamwork and Leadership

• Negotiates critical and controversial issues with leadership of other practices.
• Represents their practice at important functions and conferences.

Why GAI?

GAI offers an exceptional place to do meaningful work, grow your career, and make a real impact in communities nationwide. You’ll join a collaborative, multidisciplinary firm bringing together engineering, planning, and environmental expertise to deliver projects across transportation, infrastructure, power, and energy markets. Working alongside accomplished colleagues, you’ll help move projects from vision through construction, creating solutions that keep people moving, power essential systems, and support responsible development.

At GAI, you’ll work in a team-driven environment grounded in integrity, respect, and shared success, with the flexibility, resources, and career support that reflect a real and lasting commitment to our people. That commitment includes comprehensive benefits, wellness programs, and employee discounts. With opportunities across the U.S., GAI offers the collaboration and client focus of regional teams, supported by the stability, resources, and career-development opportunities of an established and growing firm.

Benefits To Working at GAI Include:

Competitive Pay & Recognition

• Marketbased, competitive compensation
• Performancedriven recognition and development bonuses
• Medical, dental, and vision plans
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability
• Company-paid life insurance
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources
• Generous paid time off + 7 paid holidays
• Anadditionalfloating holiday—use it for what matters to you
• Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave
• 401(k) with company match
• Support and rewards for professional development and certifications

#GAI

#LI-VL

#INDHP

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

Experience

Required

15-20 years:

Related Experience

Licenses & Certifications

Required

Driver's License

Professional Engineer

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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