Lead Coastal Engineer

The Foth Companies; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

The Foth Companies in Jacksonville, FL seeks a Lead Coastal Engineer to lead and execute complex coastal and waterfront projects, including beach nourishment and shoreline stabilization. The role is highly technical and collaborative, involving numerical modeling, data analysis, design calculations, and development of reports and construction documents.

You will own projects from inception to delivery, mentor junior staff, support permitting and construction efforts, and serve as a client-facing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Ocean, or Coastal Engineering from an ABET/EAC-accredited program.
• 10+ years of coastal engineering experience in feasibility, design, and/or construction management.
• Professional Engineer license or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage diverse waterfront and coastal projects from concept to delivery.
• Perform analyses and design calculations, review drawings for nourishment and stabilization projects.
• Coordinate project lifecycles with PMs, manage budgets and schedules.
• Develop construction documents and contribute to technical libraries.
• Engage in client relations and business development, communicating complex topics clearly.
• Mentor junior staff and support permitting and construction activities.

Skills

Project leadership

Client interaction

Mentoring junior staff

Regulatory navigation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Ocean/Coastal Engineering

Professional Engineer license

Tools

Delft3D

MIKE21/DHI

SMS

ADCIRC

XBeach

UNIBEST

SWAN

AutoCAD

MATLAB

Python

ArcGIS

Grapher

Surfer

Job description

Foth is a 100% member-owned science and engineering consulting firm headquartered in Wisconsin, with over 85 years of success. Our 750 members across 33 locations are dedicated to solving our clients’ toughest science and engineering challenges. Consistently ranked by Engineering News Record in the top 150 firms, we offer a values-based, collaborative, and flexible work environment with professional growth opportunities. If you thrive working alongside a smart and caring team, Foth may be the place for you.

Join our team and experience the Foth difference that contributes to our impressive 92+% member retention rate!

Foth is looking for a Lead Coastal Engineer who will lead and execute complex coastal and waterfront projects, including beach nourishment, shoreline stabilization, and coastal analysis efforts. This role is highly technical and collaborative, involving numerical modeling, data analysis, design calculations, and development of reports and construction documents, while translating complex findings into clear insights for clients and stakeholders. You will take ownership of projects from inception through delivery - coordinating resources, supporting permitting and construction efforts, mentoring junior staff, and serving as a client-facing technical expert.

This position is intended to be based in our Jacksonville, FL office, with consideration for candidates in the Palm Beach County area, with a future in-office expectation.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead with Expertise: Take the helm as lead your team on diverse waterfront and coastal projects, guiding client interaction, design, and execution with your knowledge and creativity
• Innovate and Implement: Stay ahead of the curve by identifying and implementing cutting‑edge design and engineering technologies that set new industry standards
• Analyze and Design: Use your skills to perform intricate calculations and analyses, crafting and reviewing design drawings for a variety of beach nourishment and shoreline stabilization projects
• Drive Projects to Success: Collaborate with Project Managers to oversee project lifecycles, ensuring budgets, schedules, and quality standards are met
• Craft and Contribute: Develop comprehensive analytical and construction documents and contribute to Foth's growing technical library in coastal engineering
• Engage and Expand: Play a pivotal role in client relations and business development, from crafting compelling proposals to nurturing lasting relationships. Communicate complex topics to non‑technical stakeholders effectively

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Ocean, or Coastal Engineering or related engineering degree from an EAC/ABET accredited program
• 10+ years of coastal engineering experience in the areas of feasibility, design, and/or construction management
• Professional Engineer license (or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Coastal or Oceanographic Engineering from an EAC/ABET-accredited program
• 10+ years of experience, preferably within a coastal engineering consultancy
• Experience integrating engineering and environmental sciences across coastal projects
• Experience preparing project deliverables, including scopes of work, cost proposals, procurement responses (RFQs/RFPs), construction documents (plans and specifications), and technical reports
• Experience with construction processes, field and construction inspection, and contract management for coastal projects such as beach nourishment, shoreline stabilization, coastal structures, and dredging/disposal
• Proficiency in numerical modeling and coastal analysis tools (e.g., Delft3D, MIKE21/DHI, SMS, ADCIRC, XBeach, UNIBEST, SWAN) and mapping/design software (e.g., AutoCAD, MATLAB, Python, ArcGIS, Grapher, Surfer)
• Experience leading geotechnical investigations and designing sand borrow areas for beach renourishment
• Demonstrated success navigating State and Federal regulatory processes, including permitting, compliance, and funding grant applications (including post‑storm disaster assessments)
• Experience developing and presenting technical work at conferences or professional seminars

All Foth Companies are equal opportunity employers, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. All locations are tobacco-free. Subject to applicable state law, all applicants who have received a written offer of employment and a copy of Foth’s Drug and Alcohol‑Free Workplace Program Policy, will be required to undergo testing for commonly abused controlled substances. Applicants must complete the required drug testing within two business days of offer acceptance. Foth will pay for all drug testing, which will be conducted by a licensed independent medical laboratory that follows testing requirements in accordance with applicable state law.

Colorado Residents:

In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age‑identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Notice to Third Party Recruiters/Agencies:

Foth does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting firms. Absent a signed recruiting agreement coordinated through Foth, Foth reserves the right to pursue and hire candidates without financial obligation to third party recruiters or agencies.

Artificial Intelligence: Foth uses artificial intelligence and other technology‑assisted tools in connection with parts of our recruiting and hiring process, including to assist with reviewing application materials, identifying potentially qualified candidates, sourcing candidates, and supporting interview preparation. These tools are used to support, but do not replace, human decision‑making, and all employment decisions are made by qualified human reviewers. Where required by law, we will provide additional information regarding the use of these tools, and applicants may contact us with questions or request reasonable accommodation regarding their use.