Structural Engineer - Waterfront - Marine

VHB; Portland (ME); Hybrid; USD 115,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Best-in-class benefits

Flexible work environment

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

VHB is seeking a Senior Level Waterfront Engineer to join our team in Portland, ME. This role involves planning, permitting, and design of various waterfront and coastal infrastructures, including marinas and seawalls. The ideal candidate will possess a B.S. in Civil Engineering and have 8-11 years of relevant experience, including technical skills in waterfront projects.

The position offers a hybrid work environment and aims for individuals with strong analytical and communication skills, ready to contribute to impactful community projects.

Qualifications

• 8-11 years of experience in Waterfront Engineering, including structural analysis.
• Professional Engineer license required or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Knowledge of regulatory processes in Rhode Island is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Support ongoing Waterfront/Coastal practice projects and business development efforts.
• Assist in developing proposals for waterfront infrastructure.
• Manage projects including scope, budget, and schedule.

Skills

Waterfront Engineering

Technical Writing

Interpersonal Communication

Analytical Skills

Education

B.S. in Civil, Structural, Waterfront, or Coastal Engineering

M.S. degree

Job description

Overview

For the second year in a row, VHB proudly celebrates our selection as a 2026 U.S. Best Managed Company. Sponsored by Deloitte Private and The Wall Street Journal, the Best Managed Company program recognizes outstanding U.S. private companies demonstrating excellence in strategy, ability to execute, corporate culture, and governance/financial performance. This year, 63 companies across the U.S. have been recognized, with VHB being one of only two AEC firms honored.

We’re actively looking for Senior Level Waterfront Engineers to join our growing team. This fully supported role has some flexibility on location within the VHB footprint. The position will assist with the planning, permitting, and design of waterfront and coastal infrastructure throughout our footprint, including marinas, piers, bulkheads, seawalls, revetments, marine terminal structures, and living shoreline stabilization.

The ideal candidate will have technical experience in designing and permitting a variety of waterfront projects and be a licensed professional engineer. The candidate who fills this position will join a high‑performing team that provides clients with multi‑disciplinary engineering and science‑based solutions to coastal management challenges, including coastal/waterfront engineering, coastal flood risk, resiliency and adaptation design, and dredged material management.

Responsibilities

• Support ongoing Waterfront/Coastal practice projects and business development efforts.
• Assist in the development of qualifications and proposals for waterfront infrastructure and coastal resilience–related RFPs.
• Assist and ultimately manage and perform engineering analysis, preliminary, and detail design of waterfront/coastal structures.
• Assist and ultimately manage projects (scope, budget, schedule) and work with sub‑consultants and team members to assure quality control of work throughout project execution, including design and permitting of waterfront developments such as piers, marinas, and boardwalks; analysis and design of structures for flood and erosion control such as seawalls, bulkheads, revetments, breakwaters, wave fences, and fendering; private and waterfront recreation structures; living shoreline erosion solution designs; conducting/reviewing technical analyses and calculations; completing mooring and berthing analyses and design; dredging design and permitting; preparation of project specifications, bid and contract documents; construction contract administration; site inspections and reports.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Civil, Structural, Waterfront, or Coastal Engineering. M.S. degree preferred.
• 8‑11 years of experience in Waterfront Engineering, including associated geotechnical and structural analysis.
• Professional Engineer required, or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Knowledge of the regulatory processes in Rhode Island is preferred.
• Experience with project delivery for multiple Federal, State, and local coastal agencies/clients, with specific experience with USACE, FEMA, USGS, and NOAA preferred.
• Knowledge of FEMA’s National Flood Insurance Program and experience implementing FEMA’s coastal flood hazard analysis and mapping methodologies.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated technical and analytical skills, including technical writing and presentation skills.

Salary

Our best estimate of the salary range for this position located in Boston/Watertown, MA is $115,000‑150,000. The final compensation will be based on a variety of factors such as individual qualifications, education, and experience.

Benefits

• Meaningful work on complex projects with real community impact.
• A collaborative, inclusive culture that values curiosity and shared success.
• Support to grow your skills and lead through change.
• Learning and development supported by evolving tools and technologies, including AI.
• Best‑in‑class benefits and a flexible, hybrid work environment.

VHB is a proud Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.