Project Engineer - Land Development

Racey Engineering, PLLC; Roanoke (VA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 102,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

401(k) with employer match

Paid leave & holidays

Education & tuition reimbursement

Job summary

Racey Engineering is seeking a Project Engineer for land development. This design-forward role requires taking a site from concept through approved construction plans and advising the client.

The ideal candidate will own technical work on grading, drainage, utilities and erosion control, while coordinating with counties, towns, and planning commissions across Virginia. The position emphasizes production and client-facing project ownership, with a potential path to Project Manager and a strong

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related field.
• 6–9 years of land development civil design experience.
• Ability to carry a site from concept to approved construction plans with limited supervision.
• Experience with rezoning and special use permit applications and public hearings.
• Knowledge of Virginia codes, zoning, subdivision ordinances, and Runoff Reduction Method.

Responsibilities

• Carry land development projects from concept through preliminary engineering and approval.
• Design site grading, drainage, stormwater management and utilities.
• Prepare SWM and E&S narratives and computations.
• Develop rezoning and special use permit applications and exhibits.
• Represent projects at public meetings and hearings; prepare exhibits and presentations.
• Coordinate with planning, zoning, engineering, and utility departments through reviews.
• Coordinate with VDOT on entrance permits and traffic-related items.
• Manage sub-consultants for geotechnical, environmental, and traffic work.
• Own project scope, schedule, and budget; report status monthly.
• Support bid and construction phases; respond to RFIs and review submittals.

Skills

Site grading

Storm drainage

Stormwater management

BMP design

Erosion & sediment control

Virginia Runoff Reduction Method

Public agency hearings

Written communication

Project ownership

Coordinate with agencies

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

Location: Luray, VA or Roanoke, VA - hybrid or remote

Description

Revised listing as of 10/02/2026

Listing Summary

Production-heavy land development design - grading, stormwater, utilities - plus the entitlement work that gets projects approved. Rezonings, special use permits, and public hearings are part of this job, not somebody else's.

About this role

Racey Engineering is hiring a Project Engineer for land development. This is a design-forward role: we need someone who can pick up a site, carry it from concept through approved construction plans, and advise the Client.

The emphasis is production. You will own the technical work on your projects - grading, storm drainage, stormwater management, utilities, erosion and sediment control - and you will be in front of counties, towns, and planning commissions getting them approved. A Virginia PE is preferred and it is not required. We care more about whether you can get plans through review than about what follows your name.

There is a path to Project Manager here for someone who wants it, and there is also a long career in doing the technical work well for someone who does not. Both are legitimate at Racey, and we would rather know which one you are after.

Duties and Responsibilities

Specific duties include, but are not limited to:

• Carry land development projects from concept and due diligence through preliminary engineering, construction documents, and approval.
• Design site grading, storm drainage, stormwater management and BMPs, water and sanitary utilities, and erosion and sediment control.
• Perform stormwater modeling and apply the Virginia Runoff Reduction Method; prepare SWM and E&S narratives and computations.
• Prepare rezoning and special use permit applications - concept plans, proffer and condition exhibits, and the supporting narratives.
• Represent projects at public agency meetings and work sessions, and at planning commission, board of supervisors, and town council public hearings - including preparing the exhibits and presentations that go with them.
• Coordinate with county and town planning, zoning, engineering, and utility departments through review cycles, and write the comment response letters that close items out.
• Coordinate with VDOT on entrance permits, land use permits, and traffic-related review items.
• Manage sub-consultants for geotechnical, environmental, cultural resources, and traffic work.
• Own project scope, schedule, and fee budget on assigned projects, and report status monthly.
• Support the bid and construction phases - RFI response, submittal review, site visits, and record drawings.
• Check and mentor the work of designers and EITs as you grow into it.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
• 6 to 9 years of land development civil design experience.
• Demonstrated ability to carry a site from concept through approved construction plans with limited supervision.
• Site grading, storm drainage, stormwater management and BMP design, utility layout, and erosion and sediment control.
• Experience preparing rezoning and special use permit applications, and appearing before public agencies at public hearings.
• Working knowledge of Virginia municipal codes, zoning and subdivision ordinances, and the Virginia Runoff Reduction Method.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Strong written communication - a real part of this job is writing comment responses that end an argument rather than extend it.
• Virginia PE license preferred, not required. EIT welcome.
• Valid driver's license in good standing.

Preferred Qualifications

• Virginia PE license, or the ability to obtain one by comity.
• Hydraulic and hydrologic modeling – Hydraflow, HydroCAD, or equivalent - and CLOMR/LOMR experience.
• VDOT LAD administered (locally administered federal-aid) project experience.
• Both residential subdivision and commercial site development experience.
• Familiarity with Shenandoah Valley, Fredericksburg Area, and Roanoke Valley jurisdictions
• Experience mentoring designers or EITs.

Physical Requirements, Travel, and Schedule

• Full-time, hybrid or remote. When on-site, you work out of our Luray or Roanoke, VA office. Remote candidates must be able to attend evening public hearings and site visits in person across our Virginia jurisdictions.
• Site visits during due diligence, design, and construction; ability to navigate uneven terrain.
• Evening public hearings are part of this role - typically a few a month depending on the project mix.
• Travel throughout Virginia, typically 15 to 25 percent.
• Must be able to pass a drug screening.

Compensation

$85,000 - $102,000 per year. We hire this role at the Project Engineer or Senior Project Engineer level depending on your experience. The Senior designation and the upper half of the range go with independent project ownership and a track record of carrying entitlements through approval. Signing bonus and bonus opportunities are available.

BeNEFITS

Racey Engineering is a 2026 Best Places to Work in Virginia firm, and we offer a strong and growing benefits package for our employees. A few highlights:

• Health insurance ($0 deductible; 75% paid by employer)
• Group Term Life Insurance paid by employer ($50,000)
• Dental, vision, and other supplemental insurances
• Flexible Spending Account
• 401(k) with employer match
• Paid leave and holidays
• Bereavement, Parental, and Jury Duty Leave
• Education and tuition reimbursement

Opportunity Awaits

At Racey Engineering you will find a family-oriented culture that cares about you (and your family) and about making a meaningful impact in the communities we serve. You will work on projects across the Commonwealth while we support you as you learn and grow your technical and professional skills. We are looking for people who share our values and want to contribute to a strong work environment. If you are ready to take on new challenges, grow your skills, and make a meaningful impact, we would like to hear from you.

Racey Engineering, PLLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer.