Early Career Civil Engineer

SmartRecruiters, Inc.; Fort Collins (CO); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible Work Schedules

Retirement & ESOP (with company match)

Professional Development and Training

Tuition Reimbursement

Employee Assistance Program

Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans

Job summary

RESPEC seeks an Early Career Civil Engineer to join our team in Cheyenne, WY, working on mine reclamation and land restoration projects. You’ll assist with planning, design, and field implementation while collaborating with experienced engineers and professionals to ensure regulatory compliance and high-quality outcomes.

This onsite position offers hands-on field exposure, QA/QC activities, and opportunities to grow in civil/mining engineering and environmental restoration.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited degree in civil, mining, geotechnical, or related engineering discipline.
• 0–5 years in civil/mining/geotechnical/reclamation engineering with at least 1 year in construction management.
• Engineer In Training (EIT) or PE or ability to obtain certification within a reasonable timeframe.
• Experience in AutoCAD and/or AutoCAD 3D and ArcGIS Pro.
• Knowledge of earthworks, grading, and landscape construction principles.
• Familiarity with topographic surveying and terrain modeling.
• Ability to work independently and in multidisciplinary teams in office and field environments.
• Valid driver’s license and willingness to travel for site work.

Responsibilities

• Assist with planning, evaluation, design, and construction oversight of abandoned mine land reclamation projects.
• Support site assessments, field investigations, and geotechnical evaluations on mine lands.
• Contribute to design and development of mine closure and earthwork projects, highwall stabilization, and reclamation.
• Perform QA/QC activities to verify compliance with specs and regulatory requirements.
• Collect and document field data to support engineering evaluations and permitting.
• Prepare technical reports, calculations, drawings, and project documentation.
• Collaborate with project managers, contractors, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders.
• Travel to project sites for inspections and construction support.

Skills

Independent work

Team collaboration

Field work readiness

Education

ABET-accredited degree in civil/mining engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

AutoCAD 3D

ArcGIS Pro

Job description

If you’re someone who sees problems as opportunities, you’ll thrive here. RESPEC is 100% employee-owned, which means we take ownership of every challenge. Here, your ideas drive real solutions. Since 1969, we’ve tackled complex challenges in energy transition, infrastructure resilience, digital transformation, and sustainability.

At RESPEC, you’ll work alongside clients to take on critical problems. Depending on your expertise, you might design infrastructure in remote locations, develop renewable energy solutions for global projects, or apply data-driven technology to improve mining and water systems.

We bring deep technical knowledge, real-world experience, and a commitment to work that matters. If you're looking for a place where your contributions have real impact, you’ll fit right in.

Job Description

RESPEC seeks an Early Career Civil Engineer to join our team in our Cheyenne, WY office.

In this role, you will support the planning, design, and implementation of a variety of mine reclamation and land restoration projects. You will work alongside experienced engineers and environmental professionals to help restore and improve mine-impacted lands while ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements and industry best practices.

This position offers a unique blend of office and field experience, including engineering support, construction observation, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) activities. Candidates should be comfortable working outdoors, traveling to project sites, and conducting fieldwork in remote and rugged environments.

This is an excellent opportunity for a recent graduate or early‑career engineer looking to build a career in civil engineering, mine reclamation, and land restoration while making a lasting environmental impact.

This is an onsite position based in Cheyenne, Wyoming. While preference may be given to candidates located in the area, we encourage qualified candidates from other locations to apply. For the successful candidate who requires relocation, a relocation bonus will be offered to support their move to Cheyenne.

What You'll Gain

• Hands-on experience with mine reclamation, land restoration, and civil engineering projects
• Exposure to all phases of project development, from field investigation and design through construction and project closeout
• Opportunities to work alongside experienced engineers, geologists, and environmental professionals
• Professional development and career growth in a specialized and rewarding field

Key Responsibilities

• Assist with the planning, evaluation, design, and construction oversight of abandoned mine land reclamation projects
• Support site assessments, field investigations, and geotechnical evaluations on active and reclaimed mine lands
• Contribute to the design and development of:
  • Mine closure and earthwork grading projects
  • Highwall stabilization and reclamation projects
  • Stormwater management and drainage conveyance systems, including channels, underdrains, culverts, and erosion‑control measures
• Perform construction observation and assist with QA/QC activities to verify compliance with project specifications, design plans, and regulatory requirements
• Collect, analyze, and document field data to support engineering evaluations, permitting efforts, and project development
• Prepare technical reports, design calculations, drawings, and project documentation under the guidance of senior engineers
• Collaborate with project managers, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other project stakeholders
• Travel to project sites to conduct inspections, investigations, and construction support activities
• Work safely and effectively in remote locations and challenging terrain while adhering to company and site‑specific safety requirements

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from third‑party recruiters.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor of science or master of science degree in civil engineering, mining engineering, or a related engineering discipline from an ABET accredited university
• 0 to 5 years of experience in civil, mining, geotechnical, or reclamation engineering with at least 1 year in construction management field
• Engineer In Training (E.I.T.) or Profession Engineer (P.E.) or ability to obtain certification/licensure within a reasonable timeframe
• Experience in AutoCAD and/or AutoCAD 3D software applications and ArcGIS Pro
• Working knowledge of earthworks, grading, and landscape construction principles
• Familiarity with topographic surveying and mapping techniques, and terrain modeling
• Ability to work independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team in both office and field environments
• Must possess a valid driver's license and maintain a clean driving record; position requires operating a company or personal vehicle during work hours for business‑related travel

Additional Information

Compensation: Salary will be commensurate with education and experience. Compensation includes a comprehensive health, dental and vision benefits package. RESPEC is a 100% employee-owned company and employees are eligible for participation in the EPP after a qualifying period.

Featured benefits include:

• Flexible Work Schedules
• Retirement & ESOP (with company match up to 4%)
• Professional Development and Training
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Health/Dental/Vision Insurance Plans

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.