Project Restoration Engineer

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Detroit (MI); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Restoration Engineer to advance ecosystem restoration and water resources projects across the Great Lakes and beyond. The role emphasizes stream and wetland restoration, living shorelines, and nature-based infrastructure, with a focus on hydraulics, hydrology, and geomorphology.

The position is full-time and benefits-eligible, reporting to the Lombard, Illinois office, with hybrid or distributed (remote) work options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Agricultural, Biological, Civil, Environmental, or Coastal).
• Four years of ecosystem restoration design experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification.
• Willingness to travel up to 20% for field data collection and meetings.
• Experience with hydraulic/hydrologic modeling and AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Experience developing ecological restoration construction plans using Civil 3D.

Responsibilities

• Oversee project execution, schedules, budgets, and deliverables; manage client communication and quality assurance.
• Develop designs for stream/wetland restoration, living shorelines, and nature-based infrastructure.
• Conduct field investigations and analyses to optimize designs while reducing environmental impact.
• Prepare construction drawings, specs, and contract documents; support QA reviews.
• Oversee permitting by preparing regulatory documentation and coordinating with agencies.
• Perform modeling and calculations to support design optimization.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate science and engineering principles.
• Provide construction-phase services, monitor progress, and resolve on-site issues.
• Engage with clients to communicate goals and outcomes; support business development.
• Mentor junior staff and foster knowledge sharing within the team.
• Follow applicable regulations, standards, and company policies.
• Perform related work as assigned.

Skills

Project management

Client communication

Team coordination

Field investigations

Geomorphology

Hydrology

Regulatory knowledge

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

HEC-RAS

Job description

About the opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Project Restoration Engineer with a passion for ecosystem restoration and water resource engineering We are looking for an Engineer who can contribute to the growth of our ecological restoration practices throughout the Great Lakes as well as support SWCA's ecological restoration projects throughout the entire U.S. The ideal candidate will have experience/background in stream, wetland, and coastal/living shoreline design projects, and should have strong experience in applied hydraulics, hydrology, and geomorphology and as well as a working knowledge AutoCAD Civil 3D and hydrology/hydraulic modeling. Responsibilities will include occasional travel to project sites for field assessments, data collection, and client meetings.

This is a full-time, regular (benefits-eligible), salaried/exempt position reporting to our Lombard, Illinois office. This role is eligible for either a hybrid or distributed (=remote) work arrangement. While candidates located near our Chicago or Michigan offices are preferred, highly qualified applicants from other locations will also be considered.

This position can be hired at the following levels:

• Associate Project Restoration Engineer - Four (4) years of relevant experience and expertise; Six (6) years preferred
• Project Restoration Engineer - Five (5) years of relevant experience and expertise; seven (7) years preferred

What you will accomplish

• Leads management activities by overseeing technical tasks, schedules, budgets, and deliverables to ensure successful completion of assigned projects. Manages various aspects of project execution, including client communication, team coordination, and quality assurance. Responsible for preparation of design reports and plans that make up elements of design deliverable packages.
• Develops engineering designs for assigned projects, including stream and wetland restoration, living shorelines, and nature-based infrastructure. Applies advanced technical expertise to refine designs and ensure compliance with regulatory standards.
• Conducts field investigations and detailed analyses for assigned restoration projects, ensuring designs minimize environmental impacts while meeting project requirements. Provides technical guidance to optimize solutions.
• Prepares comprehensive construction drawings, specifications, and contract documents to guide project implementation. Ensures all documentation adheres to industry and regulatory standards. Supports quality assurance reviews for analyses and deliverables.
• Oversees permitting processes by preparing regulatory documentation for reviews and approvals. Collaborates with agencies to address compliance requirements.
• Performs modeling and calculations to support design optimization and assess environmental impacts. Uses modeling tools to simulate project conditions and optimize solutions.
• Coordinates with multidisciplinary teams to integrate environmental science and engineering principles into project designs. Facilitates collaboration among scientists, planners, and engineers to achieve project objectives.
• Provides construction-phase services by monitoring progress, ensuring adherence to specifications, and addressing on-site challenges. Communicates with contractors to resolve issues and maintain project quality.
• Engages with clients and stakeholders to communicate project goals, progress, and outcomes. Builds and maintains relationships to support business development and client satisfaction.
• Mentors junior staff by providing technical guidance, training, reviewing work products, and fostering professional growth. Encourages knowledge sharing and collaboration within the team.
• Follows applicable federal, Tribal, state, local, industry, contractual, and company regulations, standards, and specifications.
• Performs related work as assigned.

Additional Job‑Specific Responsibilities

• Conduct geomorphic surveys and assess reference reach conditions to support restoration project planning and design.
• Develop restoration and site civil construction plans using AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Perform hydraulic, hydrologic, and water quality analyses to support restoration design and project evaluation.
• Participate in annual internal design training programs to support technical development and career growth.

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Agricultural, Biological, Civil, Environmental, or Coastal Engineering)
• Four (4) years of ecosystem restoration design experience.
• E. certification (Professional Engineer)
• Ability to travel on short-term overnight efforts to collect field data and meet with clients, up to 20% of the time.
• Experience with HEC-RAS and other hydraulic and hydrologic modeling and analysis software.
• Experience developing ecological restoration design construction plans in AutoCAD Civil 3D.

Preferred Qualifications

• Seven (7) years of professional experience in ecosystem restoration design.
• Experience managing primary tasks and small to medium sized projects with limited oversight.
• Experience mentoring and successfully delegating tasks to junior team members.