Lead Engineer - Water Resources

HR Green, Inc.; Illinois; On-site; USD 107,000 - 181,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Bonus program

401(k) plans

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Tuition reimbursement

Paid parental leave

Volunteer days

Flexible career paths

Collaborative culture

Job summary

HR Green, a leading civil engineering firm with over 110 years of experience, is seeking a Lead Engineer for its Water Resources team in Illinois. You will serve as technical leader on projects ranging from flood control to stream restoration, guiding design and analysis while collaborating with ecologists and multidisciplinary teams.

The role emphasizes technical excellence over business development; you will mentor engineers, develop robust solutions balancing infrastructure and ecological

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 10+ years of experience in civil engineering, water resources, or related infrastructure.
• Proficient in AutoCAD Civil 3D and corridor models for complex grading and infrastructure projects.
• Experience with stream restoration, flood control, grading, and utility projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead complex technical work for water resources and civil infrastructure projects.
• Act as technical subject matter expert on stream restoration and flood control.
• Develop practical solutions integrating ecological restoration with infrastructure design.
• Provide technical leadership from planning through construction.
• Review engineering calculations, reports, plans, specifications, and other deliverables.
• Support permitting and regulatory coordination with agencies such as IDOT and Illinois EPA.
• Mentor engineers and guide project staff.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Problem-solving

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Corridor models

Job description

Join our team! Our mission is BUILDING COMMUNITIES. IMPROVING LIVES. With a history spanning over 110 years, HR Green has consistently delivered on this mission, establishing alike. Each day, we work to find solutions that inspire our employees and fit our clients' needs to build trust to exceed their expectations. Our people are the heart of our success. We​'ve earned national recognition, including being named a Great Place to Work and consistently ranking on Engineering News Record's Top 500 Design Firms in the United States and we'​re still growing!

Summary

At HR Green, we help communities grow and thrive through thoughtful infrastructure solutions. As our Water Resources team expands its focus on ecological design and restoration, we’re looking for a Lead Engineer to bring technical expertise and help shape complex, innovative solutions.

In this role, you’ll serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert on projects ranging from large-scale flood control to stream restoration. You’ll collaborate closely with our in-house ecologists and multidisciplinary engineering teams to take a holistic approach to project challenges — integrating ecological restoration with the practical infrastructure needs of grading, utilities, storm sewer, and culvert and bridge improvements.

This is an opportunity to work on technically challenging, highly visible projects, help grow an evolving area of our practice, and contribute to work that advances the conversation within the industry. You’ll lead the technical work and guide project teams without the expectation of business development or owning client relationships. Strong communication skills and the ability to share ideas and communicate technical concepts with clients are a plus, but direct client management is not a core responsibility.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Help shape the future of our Water Resources practice as we expand our focus on ecological design and restoration
• Work on complex, high-impact stream restoration projects that go beyond traditional flood mitigation
• Take a holistic approach to projects, combining ecological restoration with grading, utilities, storm sewer, and culvert and bridge improvements
• Collaborate closely with in-house ecologists and multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop solutions that balance infrastructure, environmental, and community needs
• Solve challenging, highly visible technical problems and contribute to innovative work that may be shared at industry conferences
• Serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert without the expectation of business development or sales responsibilities
• Mentor engineers and help build technical expertise as this area of our practice continues to grow

What You’ll Do

• Lead and perform complex technical work for water resources and civil infrastructure projects
• Serve as a technical subject matter expert on projects involving stream restoration, large-scale flood control, heavy earthwork, grading, bridge and culvert replacement, and utility infrastructure
• Help develop practical, innovative solutions that integrate ecological restoration with civil and infrastructure design
• Provide technical expertise related to large-diameter storm sewer and water main design
• Guide technical project approach, engineering analysis, design, and problem‑solving from planning through construction
• Develop and review engineering calculations, reports, plans, specifications, and other technical deliverables
• Support project planning, permitting, and regulatory coordination, including preparing and obtaining permits with agencies such as IDOT and the Illinois EPA
• Provide technical leadership and direction to project teams throughout design and construction
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including in-house ecologists, to coordinate technical solutions across project disciplines
• Lead or support QA/QC processes and uphold design and quality standards
• Help identify and resolve complex technical challenges
• Mentor and guide engineers and project staff, supporting their technical growth and development
• Communicate technical concepts and recommendations clearly with project teams and, when needed, clients and project stakeholders

What We’re Looking For

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field
• +10 years of experience in civil engineering, water resources, land development, or related infrastructure design
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required
• Proficient in AutoCAD Civil 3D, including experience developing and working with corridor models for complex grading and linear infrastructure projects
• Experience with one or more of the following: stream restoration, ecological restoration, large-scale flood control, heavy earthwork, grading, bridge or culvert replacement, large-diameter storm sewer, water main infrastructure, or similar civil infrastructure projects
• Strong understanding of site and civil design principles, with the versatility to apply technical expertise across a range of project types
• Experience supporting projects involving public agencies and regulatory permitting, including IDOT and Illinois EPA requirements
• Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical work and provide engineering guidance to project teams
• Strong technical judgment and problem-solving skills
• Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to other engineers
• Strong communication skills; experience communicating technical ideas directly with clients and stakeholders is a plus, but not required

Why HR Green?

Not only does HR Green provide you with a place to grow, thrive, and enjoy your work, but we are also dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and multi-faceted benefits package, including:

• Employee ownership opportunities
• Performance-based bonus program
• Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans with immediate employer-match vesting
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Paid parental leave
• Two paid volunteer days each year
• Flexible career paths and advancement opportunities
• A collaborative culture that values technical excellence, innovation, teamwork, and professional growth

Compensation Range

$107,350.00 - 180,600.00

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in accordance with the Illinois Salary Transparency amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, skills, prior work experience, competencies, and geographic work location. The total annual compensation package may consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate, after a qualifying period, in our performance and discretionary incentive bonus program(s).

HR Green is proud to be an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.