Water Resources Engineer

Ayres Associates; Burlington (NC); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Disability and life insurance

ESOP and 401K with company match

PTO, holidays including two floating,

Job summary

Ayres Associates in Burlington, NC is seeking a confident and motivated water resource engineer to support the technical delivery of transportation, rivers and infrastructure, and hydraulic/hydrology projects within our Stream and Stormwater Group. You will develop analyses approaches, confirm applicable codes, analyze watersheds, document findings, and help prepare well-written reports.

This role emphasizes client relationship building, risk management, and leadership—overseeing project staff,

Qualifications

• A bachelor’s degree in civil/hydraulic/hydrologic engineering from an accredited university.
• Registered professional engineer (PE) in North Carolina.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in water resource engineering.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Proven oral and written communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Support, and occasionally lead, the technical execution on transportation, rivers and infrastructure, and hydraulic/hydrology projects.
• Develop analyses approaches, confirm applicable codes, analyze complex watersheds and flow conveyance systems, document findings efficiently, review others’ work and have your work reviewed, and prepare well-written and complete reports.
• Oversee project staff and review work products to confirm they meet applicable codes and Ayres' quality standards.
• Proactively identify and manage risks, ensuring smooth project execution.
• Perform design or review designs for hydraulic/hydrology projects.

Skills

Communication skills

MS Office

Project execution

Education

Bachelor's degree in civil/hydraulic/hydrologic engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license in North Carolina

Job description

NC-Burlington
1454 Industry Dr
Burlington, NC 27215, USA

NC-Burlington
1454 Industry Dr
Burlington, NC 27215, USA

We are seeking a confident and motivated water resource engineer to support the technical delivery of projects within our Stream and Stormwater Group in North Carolina. Ayres is seeking a passionate and talented engineer to help grow our team, expand relationships with safety-focused clients, and innovate solutions to complex engineering challenges. This position requires good written and oral communication skills and a passion to continue lifelong learning and transfer that passion and technical understanding to younger engineers. This role is ideal for individuals who excel at building trusted partnerships, developing new opportunities, and leading teams to deliver high-quality work. You will play a key role in shaping our portfolio, strengthening client relationships, and helping grow our presence in key markets.

Join Ayres – a USA TODAY Top Workplace recognized in both 2025 and 2026 – where people-first leadership, collaboration, and professional growth create an environment where great teams do their best work.

On any given day, you’ll focus on:

Technical Project Implementation

• Support, and occasionally lead, the technical execution on transportation, rivers and infrastructure, and hydraulic/hydrology projects.
• Collaborate with a team of hydraulics/hydrology engineers to develop analyses approaches, confirm applicable codes, analyze complex watersheds and flow conveyance systems, document findings efficiently, review others’ work and have your work reviewed, and prepare well-written and complete reports.
• May oversee or execute and review technical hydraulic/hydrologic work.
• Oversee project staff and review work products to confirm they meet applicable codes and are in conformance with Ayres' quality standards.
• Proactively identify and manage risks, ensuring smooth project execution.
• Perform design or review designs for hydraulic/hydrology projects.
• Occasional field assessments or site visits.
• Build and maintain respectful working relationships with Project Managers and Ayres leadership.

Client and Business Development

• Assist your group manager and business development lead with identifying marketing opportunities and strategies to pursue stream and infrastructure projects.
• Network and team with other Ayres business and service lines in North Carolina.
• Maintain strong, long-term relationships with municipal, state, federal, and private-sector clients.
• Support proposals, including defining scopes, developing fees, and participating in interviews.
• Help position the team in targeted markets and strengthen brand presence.
• Represent the firm in professional organizations and industry events.

Required Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in civil/hydraulic/hydrologic engineering from an accredited university.
• Registered professional engineer (PE) in North Carolina.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience in the field of water resource engineering.
• Ability to independently execute technical water resource engineering tasks.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).
• Proven oral and written communication skills.
• A valid driver’s license and good driving record.

Desired Skills and Experiences:

• A master’s degree in civil engineering.
• Design experience in water resources, hydraulic or hydrologic engineering.
• Experience establishing mutually respectful and collaborative relationships.

Benefits of being part of the Ayres team:

• Health, dental, and vision Insurance.
• Short and long-term disability and life insurance.
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP) and 401K with company match.
• PTO, paid holidaysincludingtwo floating holidays, and a flexible work schedule.

Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer

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Licenses & Certifications

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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