Water Resource Design Engineer (Geotechnical)

Freese and Nichols, Inc.; New Orleans (LA); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Hybrid work schedule (up to 40% remote

Company cabins in NM and NC

Job summary

Freese and Nichols, Inc. in New Orleans, LA, is seeking a Water Resource Design Engineer focused on geotechnical design for heavy civil and water resources infrastructure.

You will work on dams, levees, flood protection systems, and coastal projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver practical, safe solutions. The role involves coordinating with various engineering disciplines, preparing calculations and drawings, and supporting field investigations and construction-phase

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering and EI/EIT credential (or ability to obtain PE).
• 3+ years of related engineering experience in geotechnical/water resources/heavy civil.
• Experience with geotechnical design for dams, levees, coastal infrastructure.
• Willingness to travel 20-30% within Louisiana, Texas, and Florida.
• Master's degree in Civil/Geotechnical/Coastal/Ocean Engineering preferred.
• PE license in Louisiana or ability to obtain within 12–24 months.

Responsibilities

• Perform geotechnical analysis and design for pump stations, dams, levees, and heavy civil infrastructure.
• Evaluate subsurface data and design alternatives to support technical recommendations.
• Prepare calculations, drawings, specs, and reports for project components.
• Support field investigations, site conditions, inspections, and issue resolution during construction.
• Coordinate with water resources, coastal, and structural teams to integrate geotechnical considerations.
• Manage tasks within scope, schedule, and budget and communicate progress.
• Review work for technical accuracy and incorporate reviewer comments.
• Assist project managers in coordinating with clients, contractors, and regulators.

Skills

Geotechnical design

Engineering analysis

Team collaboration

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Civil/Geotechnical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) License in Louisiana

Job description

Freese and Nichols is seeking a Water Resource Design Engineer in New Orleans, Louisiana with a focus on geotechnical design for heavy civil and water resources infrastructure. As a Water Resource Design Engineer, you will contribute to engineering projects involving dams, levees, flood protection systems and coastal infrastructure. You will apply your technical expertise, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and develop practical solutions that help protect communities and strengthen critical infrastructure.

What You’ll Do

• Perform geotechnical engineering analyses and design for pump stations, dams, levees, flood protection systems and related heavy civil infrastructure
• Evaluate subsurface investigation data, engineering calculations and design alternatives to develop technical recommendations
• Prepare engineering calculations, design drawings, specifications and technical reports for assigned project components
• Support engineering studies, field investigations and construction-phase services, including evaluation of site conditions, construction inspection and oversight, and resolution of technical issues
• Coordinate with water resources, coastal, structural and other engineering disciplines to incorporate geotechnical considerations into project designs
• Manage assigned engineering tasks within established project scopes, schedules and budgets while communicating progress and potential challenges
• Review your work and the work of other team members for technical accuracy and quality, incorporating review comments into deliverables
• Support project managers in coordinating with clients, contractors and regulatory agencies

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering Engineer Intern (EI) registration or equivalent Engineer-in-Training (EIT) credential
• 3+ years of related engineering experience with a BS degree, or 2+ years with an MS degree
• Experience applying engineering analysis, design principles and independent judgment to geotechnical, water resources or heavy civil engineering projects, including exposure to projects involving soft, compressible, or otherwise challenging soil conditions
• Ability to travel approximately 20-30% between Louisiana, Texas and Florida
• Preferred Master's degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Coastal, Ocean or related Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) License in Louisiana (or ability to obtain within 12-24 months)
• Experience with geotechnical design for dams, levees, flood protection systems or coastal infrastructure
• Experience evaluating subsurface conditions and preparing geotechnical analyses or design recommendations
• Experience with coastal restoration, shoreline protection or other coastal infrastructure projects
• Experience supporting projects for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers

About Freese and Nichols

At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always). Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values.

We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service.

For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need: developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more.

Besides our comprehensive benefits package (Benefits That Work for You), we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico and Banner Elk, North Carolina.

We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work.

Join our team of 1,400+ employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado.

Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

Freese and Nichols provides reasonable accommodations to qualified applicants with disabilities. If you need an accommodation to participate in our application or interview process, please submit a request through our Contact Us form.

Freese and Nichols is a professional planning, consulting and engineering firm serving clients across the United States. With client service and continuous improvement in mind, we plan, design and manage sustainable water and infrastructure projects.