Water Resource Engineer - Project Level

Socket.dev; Reno (NV); On-site; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

NCE in Nevada is seeking a Project Engineer to support water resources projects with a mix of office and field work. You will apply hydrology and hydraulics to roadway drainage, flood control, and infrastructure projects while communicating findings in a team setting.

The role requires a civil/environmental engineering degree, Nevada PE eligibility within 6 months, and experience with HEC modeling, ArcGIS, and drainage design. Travel to project sites is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or environmental engineering.
• Nevada PE eligibility or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Experience in roadway drainage, flood control, erosion control.
• Familiarity with local drainage manuals and highway design criteria.
• Proficient in hydrologic/hydraulic modeling software.
• Understanding of stormwater management and environmental regs.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office; able to work independently or in a team.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate roadway hydrology and hydraulics; lead preparation of technical reports.
• Model hydrology/hydraulics using HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, ArcGIS, and similar tools.
• Prepare technical documentation and contribute to project reports.
• Participate in river and flood control channel engineering and restoration.
• Develop drawings, plans, specifications, and estimates.
• Support design for stormwater systems and green infrastructure.
• Contribute to watershed assessments, GIS mapping, and data collection.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on integrated water projects.

Skills

Hydrology

Hydraulic modeling

Drainage design

GIS mapping

Technical reporting

Team communication

MS Office

Driver's license

Travel-ready

Education

Civil Engineering Degree

Tools

HEC-RAS

HEC-HMS

ArcGIS

AutoCAD/Civil3D

XPStorm

Job description

NCE is actively recruiting for a Project Engineer to support NCE’s emerging Water Resources Practice in Northern Nevada. We are looking for a dynamic person who enjoys a mix of office and field work and can apply analytical and critical thinking skills in both environments. If you are a natural problem solver who thrives in a supportive but independent work environment, possess the innate talent to efficiently identify, review, and have a strong interest in applying core hydrology and hydraulics principles to roadway drainage design, drainage improvement projects, and infrastructure projects, you should find out more about this opportunity. The natural ability to communicate (written and verbal) in a team environment is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Evaluate roadway hydrology and hydraulics, support design of roadway drainage systems, and lead preparation of technical reports with guidance from senior staff.
• Perform hydrologic and hydraulic modeling using HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, ArcGIS, and similar tools
• Prepare technical documentation and contribute to project reports
• Participate in river and flood control channel engineering and restoration projects
• Experience developing drawings, plans, specifications, and estimates
• Assist in various design / engineering projects for stormwater systems, urban drainage, flood control systems, natural rivers and creeks, green infrastructure, etc.
• Support climate adaptation initiatives focused on water infrastructure resilience and nature-based solutions
• Contribute to watershed assessments and planning efforts
• Develop GIS maps and spatial analyses to support project needs
• Conduct field investigations and data collection
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on integrated water resource projects

Qualifications (Must Have):

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, or related field
• Registered Nevada PE or ability to obtain Nevada PE license within 6 months
• Experience in the design of roadway drainage, flood control, and erosion control
• Familiarity with the Truckee Meadows Regional Drainage Manual, NDOT Drainage Manual, and national AASHTO and FHWA highway drainage design criteria and guidelines.
• Experience in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software, including HEC-1, HEC-2, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, XPStorm, Autodesk Storm and Sanitary Analysis, etc.
• Understanding of stormwater management principles and practices
• Familiarity with engineering design concepts and key environmental regulations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites

Qualifications (Nice to Have)

• 6-8 years of relevant experience
• California PE license
• Master's degree in relevant field
• Strong interdisciplinary background/experience, for example, knowledge in watershed ecology, fisheries, geomorphology, restoration, landscape architecture, botany, riparian ecology, etc.
• GIS skills, particularly with ArcGIS or QGIS
• Knowledge of California environmental regulations and permitting
• Experience with AutoCAD and/or Civil 3D

What We Offer

• Mentorship from experienced professionals
• Diverse project experience across Nevada and Northern California
• Professional development opportunities
• Collaborative and supportive work environment
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Work-life balance and flexible scheduling options

Salary range is $85,000 to $110,000, depending on experience, licensure status, and location.