Senior Water Resources Engineer

SWCA Environmental Consultants; Oregon; Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 154,000; Full time

Job summary

SWCA Environmental Consultants seeks a Senior Restoration Engineer to advance river restoration and fish passage projects across the Pacific Northwest, with travel to Corvallis and sites nationwide. Strong hydraulics, hydrology, and AutoCAD Civil 3D skills are required, plus GIS knowledge and PE licensure in Oregon.

The role offers a hybrid work arrangement, a pathway to leadership within the restoration practice, and opportunities to mentor others while supporting complex, client-focused

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (civil, environmental, or coastal engineering, or related degree)
• Professional Engineering (PE) license in Oregon, or ability to obtain by comity
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant engineering experience
• Experience with HEC-RAS and other hydraulic and hydrologic modeling and analysis software
• Experience developing ecological restoration and fish passage design construction plans in AutoCAD Civil 3D

Responsibilities

• Lead Complex Projects: provide strategic technical leadership for multidisciplinary projects and guide teams to deliver high-quality work
• Serve as a Technical Leader: act as a recognized technical expert and trusted consultant
• Deliver Exceptional Client Service: build strong client relationships and deliver practical solutions that create value
• Drive Project Success: provide technical oversight across the project lifecycle including risk, scope, schedule, and budget management
• Mentor and Develop Others: lead by example, mentor staff, share knowledge across disciplines

Skills

Hydraulics

Hydrology

Technical leadership

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

PE license in Oregon

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

HEC-RAS

GIS

Job description

About The Opportunity

SWCA Environmental Consultants is currently seeking a Senior Restoration Engineer who can contribute to the growth of our ecological restoration practice in the Pacific Northwest, as well as support SWCA’s ecological restoration projects throughout the U.S. The ideal candidate will have experience in river restoration and fish passage design projects. The candidate must have a strong skill set in hydraulics, hydrology, and AutoCAD Civil 3D, as well as a working knowledge of GIS principles. This position will support our Pacific Northwest Team. Regular travel to Corvallis, Oregon is expected for those not located there. Projects will include sites throughout the Pacific Northwest and will entail occasional travel to assess project sites, collect field data, meet with clients, and provide construction observations. This is a full‑time, regular, benefits‑eligible role with the flexibility to work in hybrid capacity. Candidates with professional licensure and more than eight years of experience are encouraged to apply. Compensation and job title will be based on one’s background, licensure and certifications, and years of experience.

What you will accomplish

• Lead Complex Projects: Provide strategic technical leadership for complex, multidisciplinary projects, guiding project teams to deliver high-quality work that meets client objectives, regulatory requirements, and SWCA's quality standards.
• Serve as a Technical Leader: Act as a recognized technical expert and trusted consultant, developing innovative solutions, advancing best practices, and applying sound technical judgment to solve complex client challenges.
• Deliver Exceptional Client Service: Build strong client relationships by understanding project goals, providing strategic guidance, and delivering technically sound, practical solutions that create value.
• Drive Project Success: Provide technical oversight throughout the project lifecycle by identifying risks, supporting scope, schedule, and budget management, and helping teams adapt to evolving project needs while maintaining quality and accountability.
• Mentor and Develop Others: Lead by example through technical excellence, collaboration, and effective communication. Mentor staff, share knowledge across disciplines, and help build the next generation of technical leaders.
• Advance Innovation and Growth: Contribute to SWCA's technical reputation by developing new methods, improving standards and processes, supporting strategic initiatives, and identifying opportunities for business growth.
• Foster Cross-Disciplinary Collaboration: Work across technical disciplines and geographic regions to deliver integrated solutions, strengthen internal partnerships, and support successful project outcomes.

Minimum Qualifications

Experience and qualifications for success

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (civil, environmental, or coastal engineering, or related degree)
• Professional Engineering (PE) license in Oregon, or ability to obtain by comity
• A minimum of eight (8) years of relevant engineering experience
• Experience with HEC-RAS and other hydraulic and hydrologic modeling and analysis software
• Experience developing ecological restoration and fish passage design construction plans in AutoCAD Civil 3D

Preferred Qualifications

• 9+ years of experience in ecosystem design
• Master's degree in engineering (civil, environmental, or coastal engineering, or related degree)
• Field surveying experience utilizing both GPS and total station techniques
• Construction administration experience, including client and contractor coordination and on-site review of constructed elements for conformance with design intent.

SWCA Environmental Consultants is a growing employee-owned firm, providing a full-spectrum of environmental services. With offices across the United States, SWCA is one of the largest environmental compliance firms and ranks among Engineering News-Record’s Top 200 Environmental Firms.

If you would like to contact SWCA regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the online application process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] or call 480-581-5378. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only. All other inquiries will not receive a response.

SWCA is committed to salary equity and salary transparency for all its employees. In alignment with this commitment, SWCA posts good faith pay ranges in all its advertised job postings to promote pay equity and transparency.

An employee in this Corvallis, OR-based position can expect a salary of $120,182/year to $153,566/year. Actual pay within this range may depend on experience, qualifications, geographic location, client requirements where applicable, and other factors permitted by law. Regular-status employees are also eligible for performance bonuses. Candidates are also encouraged to consider SWCA’s Total Rewards package, which includes a competitive benefits package (https://www.swca.com/careers/benefits-wellness/), forward-thinking workplace flexibility, outstanding corporate culture, award-winning career development, and more.

SWCA is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer and encourages women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and veterans to apply. At SWCA Environmental Consultants, we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive work environment. We strongly encourage candidates from all backgrounds, including those with diverse experiences and veterans, to apply. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce enhances creativity, innovation, and overall organizational success.

SWCA continues to invest deeply in career development programs, delivering our award‑winning Career Landscape support resources to accelerate the growth of our staff. We recognize the valuable skills and experiences our internal team members bring to SWCA’s continued success. Qualified internal candidates are encouraged to apply and will be seriously considered for this position. We believe in promoting from within, where possible, providing our existing employees with compelling opportunities to advance their careers.

Applicants must be willing to participate in a drug testing and alcohol screening as part of the pre‑employment process, as some projects require such screenings. Applicants must have valid driver’s license and be able to meet SWCA’s driver requirements.