Lead Coastal Engineer

The Foth Companies; Jacksonville (FL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

The Foth Companies in Jacksonville, FL seeks a Lead Coastal Engineer to lead and execute complex coastal projects, including beach nourishment and shoreline stabilization. You will mentor junior staff, support permitting, and serve as a client-facing technical expert in a multidisciplinary team.

Based in our Jacksonville office, the role demands strong modeling, design, and report writing skills, with a focus on ownership from inception through delivery and a future in-office expectation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Ocean, or Coastal Engineering or related engineering degree 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 with Expertise: guide your team on diverse waterfront and coastal projects and manage client interaction, design and execution.
• Innovate and Implement: identify and apply cutting-edge design and engineering technologies to set industry standards.
• Analyze and Design: perform intricate calculations and analyses, craft design drawings for beach nourishment and shoreline projects.
• Drive Projects to Success: collaborate with Project Managers to oversee lifecycles, budgets, schedules, and quality.
• Craft and Contribute: develop analytical and construction documents and grow Foth's coastal engineering library.
• Engage and Expand: play a pivotal role in client relations and business development, communicating complex topics to non-technical stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Client interaction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil/Coastal/Ocean Eng

Master's degree in Coastal/Oceanographic Eng (preferred)

Tools

Delft3D

MIKE21

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 ! Learn more at foth.com/careers .

Foth is looking for a Lead Coastal Engineer 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

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