Project Engineer - Plan Review

City of Wilmington, NC; Wilmington (NC); On-site; USD 75,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual leave and holidays

Healthcare benefits

Retirement benefits

Gym access

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Flex schedule / telework availability

Job summary

City of Wilmington, NC seeks a Project Engineer- Plan Review to apply civil engineering expertise in shaping safe, resilient infrastructure. You will review development plans for compliance and support NPDES MS4 and Vision Zero programs to ensure projects meet design standards and codes.

This role requires a PE license, a bachelor’s in civil engineering, and four years of related experience. You’ll collaborate across departments, participate in committees, and provide guidance during emergencies

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible related engineering experience.
• Valid driver’s license.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles, regulations, and technical writing.
• Ability to interpret laws, codes, standards, and regulations; support municipal emergency management.

Responsibilities

• Perform compliance reviews for private land development projects as part of TRC/DAC committees.
• Provide technical support for official acceptance, encroachment, easement, surety, annexation, and waivers.
• Review stormwater management, transportation systems, and other City standards.
• Issue NPDES Stormwater Permits and support Post Construction Stormwater Program phases.
• Conduct site visits to assess conditions, construction activities, and drainage functionality.
• Authorize technical specifications and develop or improve construction details.
• Participate on internal and external committees.
• Pursue continuous professional development.
• Provide engineering support during emergencies.

Skills

Professional Engineer license

Civil engineering principles

Regulatory interpretation

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related field

Job description

The City of Wilmington is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Position Description

One City. One Purpose. One Future.

As a Project Engineer- Plan Review, you’ll put your engineering expertise to work where it matters most—helping shape safe, resilient, and sustainable infrastructure for the community. From roadways and bridges to stormwater systems, parks, utilities, and multimodal facilities, you’ll help ensure that the places people live, work, and connect are designed and built to the highest standards.

Why This Position Matters

Great communities depend on infrastructure that works—and responsible development is a critical part of that equation. Project Engineers serve as licensed professionals who apply sound engineering judgement to the design, construction, and maintenance of public infrastructure, interpreting and applying codes, regulations, and industry standards in accordance with established engineering practice.

In this role, you’ll have a direct impact on how private development integrates with the City’s infrastructure and environmental goals. You’ll review development plans for compliance with applicable regulations and design standards, with a particular focus on supporting the City’s National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) Program, and Vision Zero programs.

Your expertise will help protect safety, strengthen community resilience, and support development that works for both today’s residents and future generations.

This isn’t just engineering—it’s building a better community, one project at a time.

Typical Tasks

• Perform engineering design regulatory compliance reviews for private-sector land development projects. Serve as a member of the Technical Review Committee and/or Design Adjustment Committee.
• Provide technical support for official acceptance, encroachment, easement, surety, annexation, and technical waiver applications
• Provide engineering review and technical guidance related to stormwater management, transportation systems and other City technical standards.
• Issue NPDES Stormwater Permits and provide technical support for all phases of the Post Construction Stormwater Program (Inspection, Compliance, Permit Renewal and Administration).
• Perform site visits to evaluate existing conditions, construction activities, drainage functionality, infrastructure condition, and compliance.
• Authorize technical specifications and developing or improving construction details.
• Participate on various internal and external committees.
• Pursue continuous professional development.
• Provide engineering support during emergency and disaster situations.

Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related engineering field.

Experience

Four (4) years of progressively responsible related engineering experience.

Other Requirements

• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Valid motor vehicle driver’s license.
• Knowledge of civil engineering principles and related computations, regulations, computer software, reference manuals, and technical writing skills.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant federal, state, and local laws, codes, standards, and regulations. Support municipal emergency management operations.

Supplemental Information

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

Exerts up to 10 lbs. occasionally or negligible weights frequently; sitting most of the time.

WORKING CONDITIONS

This position generally requires work indoors/office setting.

Why Work with Us?

Benefits

At the City of Wilmington, we offer more than just a job – we provide an opportunity to grow, make an impact, and maintain a healthy work-life balance. Here are some of the benefits of working with us:

• Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) site
• Great Work/Life Balance
• Minimal Nights/Weekends
• Minimal Travel Required for the role
• No client sales or billing
• Regular Hours: Monday through Friday 8 AM to 5 PM. Flex hours available.
• Access to Free City Employee Health Clinic (with City Insurance)
• Free City Gym Access
• Robust Wellness Program and Incentives
• Pension Plan
• Serve the Community

Our Core Values

INCLUSION | COLLABORATION | CREATIVITY | ACCOUNTABILITY

Our Mission Statement

Through forward-thinking policies and responsible stewardship, we are creating a better city every day with excellent core services and quality of life for all.

What We Offer

The City of Wilmington believes that employees are one of our most important resources. We offer an excellent salary and competitive benefits package to serve the needs of our employees and their families. Our benefits package includes:

• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance + many other insurance options
• Excellent retirement benefits, including a city provided 4.5% contribution each pay period into a 401(k) account and automatic enrollment into the North Carolina Local Government Employees’ Retirement System
• Employer-paid health & wellness clinic
• Free on-site city gym access
• Paid sick and vacation leave + 13 paid holidays per year
• 6-weeks paid parental leave
• Paid volunteer & blood donation leave to give back to our community
• Flex schedule and telework availability, depending on your position
• Professional development trainings & leadership initiatives
• Tuition assistance benefits

Applicant Status Updates

After the closing date for this position, applications will be screened by Human Resources. Applicants who meet the minimum and/or preferred qualifications will be referred over to the hiring department. All updates regarding an application can be viewed through your applicant portal.

Health Insurance

The City offers two options for health coverage: a standard PPO plan and a High Deductible Health Plan with an associated Health Savings Account. Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire for employees and their eligible dependents. Both you and the City contribute to the overall cost of coverage.

Dental Insurance

Coverage becomes effective the first day of the month following hire. Employees, their spouse and dependent children are eligible for coverage.

Life Insurance

The city pays to provide coverage valued at one times your annual salary. Supplemental insurance is available for employees to purchase. Optional coverage for dependents is also available for purchase.

Retirement

• NC Local Government Retirement System - All benefits eligible employees make a mandatory 6% contribution every pay period.
• Deferred Compensation – The city contributes an amount equal to 4.5% of the annual salary to a 401(k) plan regardless of employee contribution. Employees may choose to contribute additional money to the 401(k) or 457 deferred compensation plans, without a match from the City, within the IRS guidelines.

Paid Leave (offered to employees working at least 1,000 hours annually*)

• Sick Leave - 12 days accrued each year
• Annual Leave - Accrual based on years of service and classification. Employees can earn from 10 to 24 days each year.
• Holidays - 13 paid holidays annually
• Paid Parental Leave - Six weeks of paid leave for the birth, adoption or placement of a child (must run concurrently with FMLA).
• Part-Time Employees will earn paid leave benefits on a pro-rated basis.

Miscellaneous

• Tuition reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program
• Short & Long Term Disability
• Cancer & Critical Illness
• Accident Insurance
• Whole Life Insurance
• Credit Union membership
• Access to City Fitness Center

Note: The City of Wilmington is on a bi-weekly pay cycle. New employees should expect to receive their first paycheck approximately 4 weeks after their start date.