Project Engineer - Natural Hazards Risk Assessments

Holmes US; Portland (OR); Hybrid; USD 73,800 - 90,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible hybrid work environment

Work-life balance

Comprehensive medical benefits

401(k) retirement savings

Job summary

A structural engineering firm in Portland is seeking an experienced engineer to evaluate natural hazards like floods, wind, and wildfires. This role focuses on developing innovative solutions and communicating findings to clients. Candidates should have a B.S. in Engineering, a PE license, and strong communication skills. You will work in a flexible hybrid environment, contributing to significant projects addressing climate risks, while also enjoying a work-life balance and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of relevant experience in engineering, preferably with natural hazards.
• Experience in flood risk assessment is a plus but not required.
• Ability to produce and review technical reports.

Responsibilities

• Perform vulnerability assessments of sites across various natural hazards.
• Develop and communicate mitigation solutions to clients.
• Prepare high-quality reports and design mitigation projects.

Skills

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Confidence presenting findings

Advanced MS Office proficiency

Pragmatic and resourceful mindset

Education

B.S. in Engineering

PE licence

Tools

MS Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

Job description

Ready to help communities prepare for the hazards of today - and tomorrow?

We're looking for a talented engineer to join our Natural Hazards Risk Assessment team. This role combines technical project work with real-world impact - evaluating flood, wind, wildfire, earthquake, extreme temperature, and drought hazards for buildings and communities, and developing the mitigation and adaptation strategies that make them more resilient. If you're ready to do engineering work that genuinely matters, let's talk!

Who We Are

We're Holmes US - a structural engineering firm that's anything but boring! With offices in Seattle, Portland, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, and roots in New Zealand, we're known for taking on projects that make other firms say, "Wait, how did they do that?" Now we're expanding our mass timber capabilities and need someone who lives and breathes innovative timber design to join our growing US team.

Your Impact

• Perform vulnerability assessments of existing sites and buildings across multiple natural hazard types
• Develop mitigation and adaptation solutions for identified vulnerabilities
• Communicate risk assessment findings clearly and confidently to clients
• Prepare design solutions for mitigation projects
• Perform post-event damage assessments and design repairs
• Prepare high-quality written reports that translate complex technical findings into actionable recommendations

You’ll Thrive Here If You Have

• A B.S. in Engineering and 3+ years of relevant experience
• PE licence
• Prior natural hazards experience (particularly flood) is a plus, but not required - we value fast learners
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce and critically review technical reports
• Confidence presenting findings to clients and contributing to team talks and technical sessions
• Advanced MS Office proficiency (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• A pragmatic, resourceful, ambitious mindset with a hunger to take on new responsibilities

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Evaluate and address real climate risks facing buildings and communities today
• Work across multiple hazards - flood, wind, wildfire, seismic, extreme temperature, drought, and more
• Contribute to climate-informed design that shapes the future of the built environment
• Engage with projects across the USA and occasionally internationally
• Los Angeles, CA - A vast, diverse market with growing demand for hazard resilience
• San Francisco, CA - High-profile projects in one of the most seismically active cities in the U
• Portland, OR - A leader in sustainability and climate-conscious engineering
• Seattle, WA - A hub for resilient design in the Pacific Northwest
• Expand your skills across a broad range of natural hazard types
• Work alongside experienced engineers and contribute to a collaborative, growing team
• Build client relationships on meaningful, high-impact projects

🎯 The Good Stuff

• Flexible hybrid work environment
• Work‑life balance that we actually take seriously
• Supportive, collaborative culture with an international team
• Regular team events and activities

Benefits Offered

Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:

• Comprehensive Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Short‑term and Long‑term Disability and other voluntary plans
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical & Childcare
• Health Savings Account
• Pet Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time off - Vacation, Sick, Personal Leave, Family Leave for new parents, and Community Service time
• Paid Holidays
• Pre‑Tax Commuter Transit
• 401(k) retirement savings with Company contribution
• Company sponsored events
• Diversity/Inclusion programs and initiatives

Compensation

Estimated starting salary at $82,000 +$107,000 USD + biannual profit share bonus potential. This amount is an estimate. Salary will be commensurate with experience/skills and location.

Our Commitment

At Holmes, we believe in building teams as diverse as the communities we serve. We provide equal support and opportunities for all our people to thrive, grow, and develop - no matter where you're coming from. Dream big - we'll help you get there!

Ready to shape resilient communities and design for the hazards of a changing world? Apply now at www.holmes.us/careers and join a team where technical rigour meets real-world impact.