Engineering
A Water Resources Engineer designs essential hydraulic infrastructure, models flood risks, and manages water quality using HEC-RAS, GIS, and EPA SWMM software.
We are seeking a detail-oriented Water Resources Engineer to join our multidisciplinary team and lead critical water infrastructure projects. You will be responsible for conceptualizing, modeling, and delivering designs that balance environmental sustainability with urban development requirements across a diverse project portfolio. Working alongside senior project managers and regulatory experts, you will gain hands-on experience in large-scale flood mitigation and sustainable watershed management. This is an ideal role for an engineer who is passionate about climate resilience and enjoys translating technical hydrology data into real-world engineering impact.
Key highlights
A Water Resources Engineer is a specialized civil engineering professional who manages the movement, quality, and distribution of water through human-made systems. By applying fluid mechanics, hydrology, and environmental science, a Water Resources Engineer designs critical infrastructure including dams, levees, irrigation networks, and stormwater management systems. Their work is vital for ensuring public safety, mitigating climate-related flood risks, and maintaining compliance with environmental regulations like the Clean Water Act.
A Water Resources Engineer spends their day performing complex hydraulic and hydrologic modeling using tools like ArcGIS, AutoCAD Civil 3D, and HEC-HMS to predict water behavior. They coordinate with environmental scientists, urban planners, and regulatory bodies to secure permits, present technical reports to stakeholders, and conduct site inspections for ongoing construction projects. Whether designing detention basins or refining coastal protection plans, they translate scientific data into actionable infrastructure solutions that protect communities and natural ecosystems.
What does a Water Resources Engineer do on a daily basis?
A Water Resources Engineer performs a mix of office-based modeling and field-based observation. Daily tasks include running hydraulic simulations to predict flood risks, drafting engineering designs in CAD, and drafting permit applications for regulatory approval. They also participate in technical meetings to review project progress with clients and government agency representatives.
What software skills are required for a Water Resources Engineer?
Proficiency in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling software is essential, with HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and EPA SWMM being the industry standards. Candidates also need strong skills in GIS tools like ArcGIS for mapping, as well as AutoCAD Civil 3D for creating construction-ready design drawings and site grading plans.
How do I become a Water Resources Engineer?
To become a Water Resources Engineer, you typically need a Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering with elective coursework in fluid mechanics, hydrology, and water quality. Securing an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification shortly after graduation and gaining experience toward your Professional Engineer (PE) license are key milestones in this career path.
Why is a Water Resources Engineer critical to a project?
Water Resources Engineers are vital because they manage the most critical utility on earth: water. Their work prevents catastrophic flooding, ensures clean stormwater runoff, and designs the systems that allow cities to grow sustainably. Without their technical analysis and design, infrastructure would be prone to failure, contamination, and regulatory non-compliance.