Designer I - Hydraulic Design

McAdams is a full-service land planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, transportation, and geomatics firm located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. We seek to partner with our clients to create meaningful experiences through inspired design. Our employees are what make McAdams different. We bring experiences to the forefront of everything we do, and to do that takes special people.

Position Overview

McAdams is seeking a Designer I (DI) for our growing Hydraulic Design practice. This position will be part of the planning and design of drainage elements of multimodal transportation projects for public and private clients. Projects will include hydraulic design and hydrologic analysis for roadways, sidepaths/multi-use paths, sidewalks, greenways, bicycle lanes, and other facilities. The ideal candidate will be able to perform hydrology, hydraulic design, permitting, and erosion control for transportation projects.  This position will assist in compiling hydraulic calculations, compiling detailed plan sheets, and ensuring high-quality deliverables at project milestones.

Essential Functions + Responsibilities

• Support the hydraulic design and production of hydraulic plans, contract documents, specifications, and cost estimates for public transportation projects.


• Support the hydraulic design and production of plans for off-site roadway improvements on public roadway frontage for private development projects.


• Work directly with Project Managers to advance projects from feasibility analysis to design and successful bidding.


• Assist Project Engineers with hydrology and hydraulics design, writing technical memorandums and reports, and preparation of engineering calculations.


• Coordinate with other McAdams’ service lines (geomatics, water resources, site civil, etc.) to develop project plans. Effectively coordinate with subconsultants.


• Participate in field reviews of projects to support alignment development and recommendations.


• Focus on quality project delivery through adherence to McAdams' quality assurance and quality control standards.


• Actively participate in a professional organization and with McAdams’ Young Professional Group.

Skills + Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Biological and Agricultural Engineering or a related field.


• Fundamentals of Engineering (EI) certification (or ability to obtain within 6 months).


• 0-2 years of experience related to hydraulics engineering, water resource engineering, and erosion and sediment control design, preferably on NCDOT projects


• Knowledge of MicroStation/Geopak/OpenRoads and/or AutoCAD/Civil 3D production workflows


• Interest in multimodal transportation issues and design


• Consistent focus on clarity, accuracy, and completeness of work product


• Strong critical thinking abilities


• Excellent task and time management skills


• Excellent communication skills


• Enjoys working within a high-performing team


• Valid driver's license

Work Environment + Physical Demands

The characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. When properly requested and when feasible (without undue hardship to the company), reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

• Work will primarily be in an office setting with limited opportunities to be exposed to adverse environmental conditions.


• Work will be primarily working with fingers by picking, pinching, typing, and grasping often with repetitive motion.


• Must have visual acuity for viewing a computer screen, the ability to talk, hear and sit for extended periods of time.


• Must be able to carry, lift and push/pull up to 5 pounds frequently and up to 30 pounds occasionally.


• Additional physical duties may be required as necessary.

McAdams is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard for race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran's status, or any other legally protected status.

If you need assistance with our online application system process, please contact the Human Resources Team at 919.361.5000 or [email protected]. 

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