Environmental Staff Engineer

UES; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

UES in Houston is seeking a Staff Engineer to plan, design, and direct environmental, civil, and remediation projects across multiple industries. You will engage in technical writing, data evaluation, and collaboration with clients and regulators.

The role involves field and office responsibilities, travel, and the opportunity to contribute to regulatory compliance and project success. Strong communication and analytical skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Engineer In Training (EIT) Certification is required or can be pursued.
• Ability to earn P.E. (Professional Engineer).
• Bachelor’s degree in civil, geotechnical, or environmental engineering; 1–2 years of related experience.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting findings and collaborating with teams.
• Basic understanding of construction methods, site safety, and environmental regulations.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Willingness to work in both field and office environments and travel to project sites as needed.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and demonstrate a proactive, collaborative mindset.

Responsibilities

• Design, implement, and monitor remediation activities.
• Support project life cycle from site characterization to regulatory closure.
• Coordinate environmental permitting including SPCC and SWPPP plans.
• Calculate project costs and evaluate feasibility from data analysis.
• Analyze reports, maps, drawings, and tests for soil, terrain, and hydrological data.
• Prepare and modify project reports, specifications, and testing schedules.
• Conduct construction site inspections to ensure compliance with plans and safety standards.
• Utilize computer-assisted engineering and design software to develop documents.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Willingness to travel

Education

B.S. in Civil/Geotechnical/Environmental Eng

Tools

Geotechnical software

CAD/CAE software

Job description

Overview

At UES, we’re a team of more than 4,000 engineers, scientists, geologists, inspectors, technicians, and drillers united by a shared purpose—to make a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. As a national leader in geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, and materials testing and inspection, we collaborate on transformative projects across transportation, energy, water, healthcare, and more. Learn more about the benefits of joining Team UES and our core values at careers.teamues.com.

Position Overview

As a Staff Engineer, you will play an integral role in planning, designing, and directing a variety of engineering projects, including environmental assessments, site remediation, civil design, and regulatory compliance across multiple industries. This dynamic role offers a diverse range of responsibilities, from technical writing and fieldwork to data evaluation and collaboration with clients and regulatory agencies.

Responsibilities

• Participate in the design, implementation, and monitoring of remediation activities to help mitigate environmental impacts.
• Provide support throughout the entire project life cycle, from initial site characterization through regulatory closure.
• Obtain and coordinate environmental permitting, including the preparation of Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) plans and Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs).
• Calculate project costs and evaluate feasibility based on the analysis of collected data.
• Analyze reports, maps, drawings, blueprints, tests, and aerial photographs to evaluate soil composition, terrain, hydrological characteristics, and other topographical and geological data for project planning and design.
• Prepare or oversee the preparation and modification of project reports, specifications, plans, testing schedules, and designs.
• Conduct construction site inspections to monitor project progress and ensure compliance with engineering plans, specifications, and safety standards.
• Utilize computer-assisted engineering and design software and equipment to develop engineering and design documents.

Qualifications

• Engineer In Training (E.I.T) Certification
• Ability to earn P.E. (Professional Engineer)
• Bachelor’s degree (B.S.) in civil, geotechnical, or environmental engineering from a four-year college or university; one to two years of related experience and/or training
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for documenting findings and working with project teams.
• Basic understanding of construction methods, site safety, and environmental regulations is helpful.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills with attention to detail.
• Willingness to work in both field and office environments and travel to project sites as needed.
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and demonstrate a proactive, collaborative mindset.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Environmental, Civil, or Chemical Engineering. Candidates with degrees in related fields will also be considered.
• 3+ years of relevant environmental engineering experience.
• Knowledge of ASTM standards, environmental regulations, and remediation technologies.
• Current 40-hour HAZWOPER certification.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 25% predominantly in-state travel.

Physical Demands & Work Environment

• Outdoor work is conducted outdoors with exposure to conditions, including:
  • Sites that may not be accessible by vehicle, requiring travel on foot through wetlands, swamps, grasslands, construction zones, and other uneven or rugged terrain with natural and man-made obstacles such as sand, brush, and debris.
  • Moderate to loud noise levels due to lab equipment, field operations, and construction environments.
  • Exposure to dirt, dust, chemicals, sun, heat, humidity, and varying weather conditions as part of field sample collection and testing.
• Physical requirements include:
  • Ability to lift and carry between 35 and 75 lbs. over distances up to 75 feet, involving regular repetitive motion.
  • Ability to stand, walk, drive, and operate laboratory and field equipment for extended periods.
  • Ability to bend, twist, reach, stoop, pull, kneel, climb, balance, lift, carry, and push as required for laboratory and fieldwork.
  • Ability to use your senses to see (including close, distant, and peripheral vison, depth vision, and ability to focus) smell, hear, touch (use hands to reach climb or balance, crouch, stoop, crawl, kneel and sit).
  • Ability to communicate effectively through verbal and written means in a lab and field environment, often requiring the use of PPE (Personal Protective Equipment).

EEO Statement

UES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and is proud to recruit the most qualified candidates. Please see our full EEO Statement at the bottom of the page here