Waterfront & Coastal Engineering Practice Leader

GEI Consultants, Inc; Portland, Northern (ME, KY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Profit sharing

401(k) plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

GEI Consultants, Inc. seeks an experienced Waterfront & Coastal Engineering Practice Leader in Portland, Maine. You will lead a diverse portfolio, mentor staff, and drive growth across coastal and environmental projects.

The role partners with GEI’s nationwide experts to deliver design, analysis, and strategic guidance for waterfront infrastructure. You will manage schedules, budgets, and technical deliverables, while serving as a key client-facing technical leader.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Structural or Civil Engineering; M.S. preferred.
• 15+ years in structural, civil, or coastal engineering.
• Registered professional engineer in Maine or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• Strong design experience in concrete, steel, timber, and aluminum structures.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor a multi-disciplinary team across coastal and waterfront projects.
• Grow practice by developing new clients and markets, cross-selling GEI services.
• Manage project plans, schedules, budgets, and client engagement.
• Serve as technical lead for waterfront structures, including drawings, specs, and cost estimates.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Team management

Education

B.S. in Structural or Civil Engineering

M.S. preferred

Job description

Waterfront & Coastal Engineering Practice Leader

At GEI, we’re passionate about designing resilient, sustainable, and inspiring waterfronts. From harbors and marinas to seawalls and dunes, our work protects and enhances some of the most iconic and vulnerable coastlines in New England and beyond.

We’re looking for an experienced Waterfront & Coastal Engineering Practice Leader to join our Portland, Maine office — a thriving coastal setting that blends professional challenge with everyday balance.

You’ll lead and contribute to a diverse range of projects, including:

• Marine infrastructure - ports, piers, marinas, ferry terminals, and waterfront facilities.
• Coastal resilience and stabilization - beach nourishment, dune restoration, living shorelines, seawalls, revetments, and bulkheads.
• Waterfront planning and adaptation - integrating climate change and sea level rise strategies into harbor improvement and community growth initiatives.
• Facility inspections and assessments - supporting in-house engineer-diver and drone teams to evaluate and rehabilitate critical structures.

You’ll lead, manage, and design projects in partnership with GEI’s nationwide team of structural, coastal, and environmental experts.

Your Impact

• Expand our waterfront and coastal engineering practice by cultivating new and existing clients and markets, while also cross-selling GEI’s core services across environmental, water resources, ecological, and civil engineering.
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor, support recruiting, staff development, and team management.
• Lead proposal development; maintain strong visibility in the marketplace through ongoing client engagement, participation in professional organizations, and presentations at industry events.
• Manage a variety of waterfront and coastal engineering projects.
• Develop and oversee project plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Serve as a technical lead for the design of waterfront structures, including preparation of construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and engineering reports.
• Contribute to strategic planning efforts at the office, regional, and national levels.

Minimum Qualifications

• Proven success in growing and leading practice, including mentoring and developing staff.
• B.S. in Structural or Civil Engineering (M.S. preferred).
• 15+ years of experience in structural, civil, or coastal engineering.
• Registered professional engineer in Maine, or ability to obtain within 6 months of joining GEI.
• Strong design experience in concrete, steel, timber, and aluminum structures.
• Familiarity with permitting at local, state, and federal levels.
• Experience managing interdisciplinary design teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• A valid U.S. driver’s license and willingness to travel for site work (some overnight trips).
• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions.

Preferred Qualifications

• Extensive experience in the Maine waterfront practice with a well-established professional network.
• Significant experience in the New England Region and a well-established professional network

We are GEI.

Some of the world’s most pressing problems – from climate change to sustainable development, to critical infrastructure and the future of our energy supply – need our brightest and diverse minds working together to create safer, more resilient communities for tomorrow.

We are technical experts, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who draw from diverse backgrounds to solve our clients’ most complex challenges.

With several offices across North America, we offer a range of engineering, science, and technical consulting services. Our range of expertise, project types, and culture make us the choice for top talent in the AEC industry. See all our office locations here .

Employee-owned. Employee-focused.

As an employee-owned company, our employees support our flat leadership structure, have a say in how our business operates and benefit from our financial success. We are committed to employee growth with career development opportunities, competitive total rewards, a well-being program, flexible work arrangements and more. Our company culture is driven by our 4 Cs – we are Client-Centered, Curious, Collaborative, and Community Minded – which support our focus on sustainability, safety, diversity, equity and inclusion. Get to know us better by visiting GEI’s career sitehere .

GEI’s Total Rewards Package Includes

• Market-Competitive Compensation, including Eligibility for an Annual Performance Bonus
• Comprehensive Benefits Program, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and More
• Well-Being Program and Paid Parental Leave
• Hybrid Work Schedules and Cell Phone Stipends
• GEI University (GEIU) with Continuing Education Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
• Connecting Conversation Program with a Focus on Professional Development and Opportunities for Advancement
• Support and Financial Rewards for Publication Awards, Professional Dues, and Professional Licenses
• Paid Holidays and Generous Paid Time Off Program
• Rewards and Recognition
• GEI-Funded Profit Sharing and 401(k)
• Opportunity to be an Owner and Shareholder (Learn more here )
• A Vibrant Culture that is Focused on Partnership, Sustainability, Giving Back to Our Communities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Functional Demands:

Sedentary

Light

X

Medium

Other

Activity Level Throughout Workday (check one per row)

Physical Activity Requirements

Occasional

(0-35% of day)

Frequent

(33-66% of day)

(67-100% of day)

Not Applicable

1-2 hours

Standing

6-8 hours

Walking

3-5 hours

Climbing

0-1 hours

Lifting (floor to waist level) (in pounds)

Lifting (waist level and above) (in pounds)

Carrying objects

6-8 hours

Push/pull

0-1 hour

Twisting

1-2 hours

3-5 hours

Reaching forward

1-3 hours

Reaching overhead

0-1 hour

1-2 hours

1-2 hours

2-3 hours

Keyboard use/repetitive motion

1-2 hours

Taste or smell (taste=never)

0-1 hour

Talk or hear

6-8 hours

Accurate 20/40

Very Accurate 20/20

Not Applicable

Near Vision

X

Far Vision

X

Yes

No

Not Applicable

X

Sensory Requirements

Minimal

Moderate

Accurate

Not Applicable

Depth perception

X

Hearing

X

Reasonably Anticipated

Not Anticipated

X

Other work hours

GEI is an AA/equal opportunity employer, including disabled and veterans.