Engineering Director

WRA, Inc.; California (MO); Hybrid; USD 167,000 - 193,500; Full time

Job summary

WRA, Inc. is seeking an Engineering Director to lead their interdisciplinary Riverscapes and Shorelines Team in California. The successful candidate will oversee a range of ecological restoration projects while collaborating with engineers, landscape architects, and scientists.

This role entails managing project budgets, developing work plans, and ensuring quality execution across a diverse portfolio. WRA is committed to creating a diverse environment and encourages applications from all backgrounds.

Qualifications

• Currently licensed as a Professional Civil Engineer in California.
• Minimum 15 years of applicable professional experience.
• Familiarity with California ecosystems and regulatory environment.

Responsibilities

• Oversee the production of conceptual plans and construction specifications.
• Manage project budgets and collaborate with senior staff.
• Develop project work plans and scopes of work.

Skills

Technical expertise

Strategic input

Project management

Collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering

Graduate degree in engineering or physical sciences (preferred)

Job description

WRA is seeking an Engineering Director to lead the Engineering Group within our interdisciplinary Riverscapes and Shorelines Team. The desired candidate will collaborate and engage both internally and externally to lead, support, and deliver a diverse range of design projects focused primarily on ecological restoration, with the capability to support a variety of environmental projects across our firm.

You will join our team of restoration design professionals and scientists, including engineers, landscape architects, fluvial geomorphologists, hydrologists, and ecologists.

Our projects span various ecosystems across California, including San Francisco Bay tidal marshes and living shorelines, Sierra Nevada meadow restoration, Northern California Coast floodplain and salmonid restoration, California Central Coast estuary restoration, and Bay Area and Southern California urban stream rehabilitation. The team is also actively growing in Oregon.

WRA has a diverse portfolio of projects and clients, ranging from private entities and public agencies to non‑profit organizations. Alongside technical expertise, we help clients meet their goals by providing grant cultivation, financial models, partnership facilitation, and stakeholder engagement.

We envision you working in‑person at one of our San Francisco Bay Area offices or in a hybrid arrangement or remote location in this region of California. Other locations may be considered on a case‑by‑case basis.

Major Areas of Impact

Technical Skills

• Provide technical expertise and strategic input to the development and implementation of complex restoration projects.
• Oversee the production of conceptual plans, construction plan sets, technical specifications, and cost estimates for use in all design phases.
• Provide construction support and observation services.

Leadership

• Utilize experience to provide technical oversight of restoration conceptual plans, construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and relevant hydrologic and hydraulics analyses.
• Supervise, manage, direct, and provide oversight of tasks and responsibilities for engineering staff and/or other technical support staff. Mentor and train engineering staff as needed.
• Oversee project managers and design staff to ensure work quality and that projects meet budgets and deadlines.
• Foster collaboration within an interdisciplinary team.
• Assist with strategic planning for the Riverscapes and Shorelines Team.

Management

• Develop project work plans and scopes of work.
• Provide project oversight and schedule monitoring.
• Manage project budgets and invoicing.
• Collaborate with our VP of Finance, CEO, and Director of Project Delivery to ensure staff resources are deployed in a productive and profitable manner and assess performance metrics across a diverse project portfolio.

Business Development

• Develop regional recognition through networking and events, such as attending and presenting at conferences.
• Advise clients on project issues to build business.
• Collaborate with other senior staff to lead proposal efforts with existing and new clients.
• Participate in various business development events and presenting at conferences.
• Partner across WRA teams and market segments to assist on multi‑disciplinary project pursuits.

Required Qualifications

• Currently licensed as a Professional Civil Engineer in the state of California.
• Minimum of 15 years of applicable professional experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering, or related field with an emphasis on water resources from an accredited university. A graduate degree in engineering or physical sciences is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication abilities.
• A passion for ecological restoration.
• Familiarity with California ecosystems and regulatory environment.
• Experience developing and managing a portfolio of work.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation.

Additional Desired Qualifications

• Experience with FEMA Floodplain Development (CLOMR/LOMR) permitting; Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification a plus.
• Advanced training in river mechanics and restoration.
• General understanding of geomorphology, including coastal and riverine sediment dynamics.

The salary range for this position is $167,000-$193,500.

WRA is an equal opportunity employer, and we are committed to creating a diverse environment. We recruit, employ, train, compensate and promote regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, disability, age, veteran status, and other protected status as required by applicable law.