Water Resources Engineer (Surface Water & Restoration) Water Resources Engineer (Surface Water [...]

Seeds Renewables; Chicago, Northern (IL, KY); Hybrid; USD 71,000 - 82,000; Full time

Job summary

Resource Environmental Solutions is seeking a Water Resources Engineer II for in-person work in Chicago, IL. You will deliver stream, wetland, and stormwater restoration designs, perform site data collection, and develop constructible plans using Civil 3D and HEC-RAS.

The role emphasizes technical design and field data collection, with opportunities for cross-disciplinary collaboration with engineers, scientists, and project managers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, or ecological engineering is required.
• EIT license in the appropriate state is preferred or required.
• 3+ years of professional experience in restoration, stormwater, or site development.

Responsibilities

• Produce and deliver technical design and plan sets for stream and wetland restoration and stormwater management projects.
• Review survey data and build hydrologic/hydraulic models (HEC-RAS, HydroCAD) and translate results into constructible designs in Civil 3D.
• Draft and refine plan sheets, calculate quantities, and prepare supporting exhibits for permitting and agency review.
• Coordinate with permitting specialists and project managers to incorporate requirements and ensure timely submittals.
• Conduct field site visits to ground-truth design assumptions and support construction QA/QC.

Skills

AutoCAD Civil 3D

HEC-RAS

GIS

Hydrology & hydraulics

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in civil/environmental/ecological engineering

EIT license

Tools

CAD

Hydrologic modeling tools

Job description

Water Resources Engineer

Resource Environmental Solutions In-person · United States · Chicago, IL, US · Milwaukee, WI, US · Illinois, US · Wisconsin, US ... more 11 months ago

Job Description

At RES, we’re looking for purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about restoration and sustainability, and who want their work to make a lasting environmental impact. Our team members go above and beyond, bringing initiative, integrity, and a strong work ethic to every project. Collaboration is key—we thrive on teamwork, open communication, and diverse perspectives. In a field that constantly changes, we value those who are resilient, adaptable, and resourceful in the face of challenges. If you're intellectually curious, eager to learn, and ready to help restore ecosystems and protect natural resources, you’ll find your place here.

We’re looking for a Water Resources Engineer IIto help us deliver stream, wetland, and stormwater restoration projects. You’ll be based out of one of our regional offices or design hubs, working closely with engineers, scientists, and project managers across disciplines. You’ll spend most of your time ontechnical design and delivery, with occasional travel for site assessments and field data collection. See some of the projects our engineers work on here .

Why You’ll Love This Job

• You’ll apply advanced design skills to projects that make a lasting environmental impact

• You’ll contribute directly topermittable, buildable, field-tested solutions

• You’ll work with a talented, collaborative team who values science, innovation, and restoration

A Day in the Life

You’ll produce and deliver technical design and plan sets for stream and wetland restoration and stormwater management projects. Your day may include reviewing survey data, building HEC-RAS or HydroCAD models, and translating results into constructible grading and drainage designs in Civil 3D.

You’ll spend a lot of time drafting and refining plan sheets, calculating quantities, developing details, and preparing supporting exhibits for permitting and agency review. You’ll partner closely with permitting specialists and project managers to incorporate requirements, respond to comments, and keep submittals moving—owning your pieces from first pass through final deliverable.

In the field, you’ll conduct site visits to ground-truth design assumptions, collect observations that inform revisions, and support construction QA/QC by verifying that work matches the plans and documenting any needed adjustments. Whether you’re creating concept layouts, updating plans after review, or finalizing a construction set, your work directly enables restoration projects to get built.

We would love to talk to you if you have many of the following:

• ABachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, or ecological engineering
• EIT license in the appropriate state
• 3+ years of professional experience in restoration, stormwater, or site development
• Intermediate capability in stream, wetland, or stormwater management design
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and relevant modeling tools (e.g., HEC-RAS, CAD, GIS)
• Strong understanding of watershed hydrology and hydraulics, nutrient transport, and/or stormwater management design

Illinois Pay Range $71,200 — $82,350 USD

Please note that the “Day in the Life” section is not intended to be an exhaustive list of job duties, but rather a representative snapshot of typical responsibilities and work experiences at RES.

RES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

As the nation’s largest nature-based solutions company, RES (Resource Environmental Solutions) is restoring a resilient earth for a modern world, project by project. RES creates durable, resilient natural infrastructure for communities through solutions for environmental mitigation, stormwater and water quality, and climate and flooding resilience. RES has a unique operating ...