Lead Stormwater & Water Resources Engineer

Foth; Des Moines (IA); Hybrid; USD 130,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Foth seeks an experienced Lead Stormwater & Water Resources Engineer to provide technical leadership on nationwide projects. You will mentor engineers, oversee modeling and design for stormwater, drainage, and flood mitigation, and contribute to standards and training.

The ideal candidate has PE licensure, strong modeling skills (HEC-RAS/HEC-HMS/XPSWMM/PCSWMM/HydroCAD) and proven ability to lead complex water resources projects with clear client communication. Remote candidates may be considered.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or related field.
• PE license or ability to obtain licensure.
• Experience in stormwater, drainage and water resources engineering.
• Experience with hydrologic/hydraulic modeling software.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for stormwater, drainage, flood risk, and water resources projects.
• Mentor engineers through reviews, coaching and training.
• Lead design and delivery of stormwater systems and watershed studies.
• Prepare reports, permit applications, and agency coordination.

Skills

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Hydrologic modeling

Communication

Travel 10–20%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

HEC-RAS

HEC-HMS

XPSWMM

PCSWMM

HydroCAD

ArcGIS Pro

AutoCAD Civil 3D

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 seeking an experienced Lead Stormwater & Water Resources Engineer to provide technical leadership across stormwater, watershed, drainage, flood mitigation, and water resources projects nationwide.

This role is ideal for a senior engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, mentoring engineers, improving technical standards, and applying advanced modeling and analysis tools.

The ideal candidate will be located near one of Foth’s 33 office locations; however, remote candidates may be considered based on alignment with the role’s technical leadership needs and overall background.

Primary Responsibilities:

Technical Leadership

• Serve as a technical leader for stormwater, drainage, flood risk, and water resources projects across multiple markets and geographies.
• Provide technical oversight for engineering reports, modeling, calculations, design drawings, specifications, and construction documents.
• Mentor engineers through technical coaching, design reviews, model reviews, and practical training.
• Support the development of discipline standards, design guides, QA/QC expectations, modeling workflows, and technical training resources.

Stormwater, Drainage & Water Resources Design

• Lead design and delivery of stormwater management systems, drainage infrastructure, watershed studies, flood mitigation projects, green infrastructure, and water quality improvements.
• Conduct hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for urban and rural watersheds.
• Design storm sewer, culvert, detention, retention, conveyance, open channel, and drainage systems.
• Develop drainage master plans, watershed management plans, flood studies, and stormwater planning documents.

Modeling & Analysis

• Lead hydrologic and hydraulic modeling using industry-standard software, such as HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, XPSWMM, PCSWMM, HydroCAD, ArcGIS Pro, and AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Perform watershed analyses, floodplain mapping, flood risk assessments, drainage capacity evaluations, and infrastructure resiliency studies.
• Apply modeling results to support planning, permitting, alternatives analysis, design decisions, and stakeholder communication.

Reports, Permitting & Agency Coordination

• Prepare and review technical reports, feasibility studies, alternatives analyses, permit applications, and agency submittals.
• Coordinate with local, state, and federal agencies on stormwater, drainage, floodplain, watershed, and water quality projects.
• Support permitting and regulatory coordination for stormwater, drainage, and water resources projects.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain licensure in applicable project jurisdictions.
• Experience in stormwater, drainage, and water resources engineering, including complex technical delivery.
• Experience providing technical leadership, quality reviews, and guidance on water resources projects.
• Experience with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software, such as HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, XPSWMM, PCSWMM, HydroCAD, ArcGIS Pro, and AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Experience preparing or reviewing engineering reports, studies, design plans, specifications, bid documents, or construction documents.
• Ability to communicate technical information clearly with project teams, clients, and agencies.
• Ability to travel as needed (10-20% of the time) for project, client, conference, or technical collaboration needs.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) accreditation.
• Advanced consulting experience in water resources engineering, including design, studies, reports, and technical leadership.
• Experience mentoring engineering professionals or leading multidisciplinary technical teams.
• Experience serving as engineer of record or senior technical reviewer for stormwater, drainage, or water resources projects.
• Participation in professional organizations related to water resources, stormwater, floodplain management, or public works.
• Experience presenting technical topics at conferences, workshops, webinars, or client training sessions.
• Client relationship, market strategy, or business development experience.

$130,000 - $160,000 a year

The base compensation listed for this job posting reflects a general range for the posted position. Base compensation will vary based on factors such as: years of experience, location, level of responsibility and licenses/certifications. In addition to base compensation, Foth members may be eligible to receive bonuses through our Earned Performance Incentive program. All employees are eligible for On-the-Spot bonuses. Exempt members are also eligible for either quarterly and/or annual bonuses. Eligible full-time and part-time members will be offered medical, dental, vision insurance, employee assistance program, disability, retirement, holiday pay, paid time off, and several other voluntary benefits. Please reach out to the recruiting team to discuss any specific benefits or compensation questions.

Note: In some situations, we may consider an alternative position based on your skill set and experience. This may result in a different compensation range.

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.