Environmental Engineering Lead

Sunde Engineering; BLOOMINGTON (MN); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Sunde Engineering in Bloomington, MN is seeking an experienced Civil or Environmental Engineer to lead our Environmental Engineering Group focused on water resources.

The role requires overseeing projects spanning land use development, environmental reviews, and permitting, while guiding a multidisciplinary team of engineers, geologists, and earth scientists to protect natural resources and deliver client-focused solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or closely related field.
• Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive experience in environmental and/or civil engineering.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Minnesota, OR ability to obtain Minnesota PE registration within 6 months of hire.
• Demonstrated experience preparing or managing environmental review.
• Familiarity with geological assessment and earth science integration in engineering design.
• Experience with land use development review and permitting processes in Minnesota.
• Proven ability to lead and develop technical staff.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical information to non-technical audiences.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of associate engineers, geologists, and earth scientists
• Oversee workload planning, professional development, and performance of group staff
• Foster a collaborative, technically rigorous, and client-focused team culture
• Coordinate senior leadership on strategic initiatives
• Direct the preparation and oversight of environmental review (EAWs and EISs)
• Serve as a primary technical reviewer and quality control lead on environmental documents
• Engage with regulatory agencies including the Minnesota EQB, DNR, MPCA, Army Corps of Engineers, and local governmental units
• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local environmental regulations to project planning and permitting
• Provide technical leadership on water resources projects including stormwater, wetlands, floodplain analysis, hydrology, and hydraulics
• Apply environmental engineering expertise to site assessments, mitigation planning, and sustainable design
• Oversee preparation of permits, studies, and reports related to water quality, wetland delineation, and protected resources
• Lead environmental due diligence and review for commercial and industrial land development projects
• Supervise earth science investigations including geologic mapping, soil borings, bedrock analysis, and groundwater assessments
• Develop client relationships and serve as a principal point of contact for key clients in private development industrial sectors
• Manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets to ensure quality delivery and client satisfaction
• Prepare and review proposals, fee estimates, and technical reports
• Represent the firm at public meetings, agency hearings, and professional events

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Water resources

Regulatory knowledge

Communication skills

Mentorship

Team management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering

PE license in Minnesota or ability to obtain within 6 months

Tools

GIS

CAD

Hydrologic/Hydraulic modeling software

Job description

About Sunde Engineering

Sunde Engineering is a civil and environmental engineering consulting firm serving developers, architects, landowners, and municipalities across the Midwest. The firm provides site development design, permitting, stormwater management, and environmental consulting services across a wide range of residential, commercial, and industrial projects.

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced and motivated Civil or Environmental Engineer with expertise in

water resources to lead our Environmental Engineering Group. This leadership role offers the

opportunity to guide a multidisciplinary team of engineers, geologists, and earth scientists on high-

impact projects spanning, land use development, environmental review, and permitting. The

successful candidate will bring technical depth, regulatory knowledge, and strong project

management skills to advance our clients' goals while protecting natural resources.

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and manage a team of associate engineers, geologists, and earth scientists

• Oversee workload planning, professional development, and performance of group staff

• Foster a collaborative, technically rigorous, and client-focused team culture

• Coordinate senior leadership on strategic initiatives

Environmental Review & Regulatory Compliance

• Direct the preparation and oversight of environmental review (Environmental Assessment Worksheets and Environmental Impact Statements)

• Serve as a primary technical reviewer and quality control lead on environmental documents

• Engage with regulatory agencies including the Minnesota EQB, DNR, MPCA, Army Corps of Engineers, and local governmental units

• Interpret and apply federal, state, and local environmental regulations to project planning and permitting

Water Resources & Environmental Engineering

• Provide technical leadership on water resources projects including stormwater, wetlands, floodplain analysis, hydrology, and hydraulics

• Apply environmental engineering expertise to site assessments, mitigation planning, and sustainable design

• Oversee preparation of permits, studies, and reports related to water quality, wetland delineation, and protected resources

• Lead environmental due diligence and review for commercial and industrial land development projects

• Supervise earth science investigations including geologic mapping, soil borings, bedrock analysis, and groundwater assessments

Client & Project Management

• Develop client relationships and serve as a principal point of contact for key clients in private development industrial sectors

• Manage project scopes, schedules, and budgets to ensure quality delivery and client satisfaction

• Prepare and review proposals, fee estimates, and technical reports

• Represent the firm at public meetings, agency hearings, and professional events

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or closely related field

• Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive experience in environmental and/or civil engineering

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Minnesota, OR ability to obtain Minnesota PE registration within 6 months of hire

• Demonstrated experience preparing or managing environmental review

• Familiarity with geological assessment and earth science integration in engineering design.

• Experience with land use development review and permitting processes in Minnesota

• Proven ability to lead and develop technical staff

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present complex technical information to non-technical audiences

Preferred Qualifications

• Working knowledge of earth sciences including geology, soils, and groundwater systems

• Familiarity with Minnesota DNR, MPCA, EQB, and county-level environmental regulatory frameworks

• Experience with GIS, CAD, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling software

• Professional Geologist (PG) license or Certified Environmental Professional (CEP) credential is a plus