Engineer (Project, Senior) - Water Resources, Fluvial, or Coastal

We are Natural Systems Design, a Washington-based, and focused, environmental services and consulting firm with the mission to make a BIG positive impact on the environment. Founded in 2003, we are an interdisciplinary team with 53 people with office locations in Seattle, Bellingham, and Port Angeles, Washington. Our company was founded and grown with the intention of being a different kind of professional services and consulting company that prioritizes its people, and values science, the environment, and collectively making a positive impact. 

Position Summary: We are currently seeking Water Resources, Fluvial, and/or Coastal Engineers at project and senior levels. Successful candidates will have a strong foundation in water related engineering design, and a strong desire to engage with a multidisciplinary team focused on restoring rivers, streams, wetlands, and shorelines. 

Position Location: (Seattle, Bellingham, or Port Angeles, Washington; and/or Remote)

We are currently using a hybrid model of in-office and remote work. For this position, our preferred candidate is located near one of our three office locations, but which days you come into the office and which days you work from home are always up to you. For qualified candidates with demonstrated professional experience who currently reside in or are willing to relocate to Washington state, a fully remote option may be considered.

Key Responsibilities (vary by experience level): 

• Design & Analysis: 
  
  
  
  • Project: Independently lead the design and technical analysis, applying standard techniques. 
  
  
  • Senior: Lead and innovate technical solutions for complex challenges, managing multidisciplinary teams. 
  
  
  
  

• CAD Proficiency: Use AutoCAD Civil 3D and/or Bentley MicroStation to develop and manage design files. 
  
  
  
  • Project: Lead CAD operations, including surface development, grading plans, and hydraulic structure layout. 
  
  
  • Senior: Oversee CAD operations, ensuring high-quality design deliverables. 
  
  
  
  


• Hydraulic & Hydrologic Analysis: Perform and lead hydrologic modeling using software like HEC-RAS, SRH2D, and RiverFlow-2D. 
  
  
  
  • Project: Lead analysis of existing and proposed conditions independently. 
  
  
  • Senior: Oversee hydrologic analysis and innovate solutions to complex challenges. 
  
  
  
  


• Calculations & Specifications:  
  
  
  
  • Project: Independently complete calculations and specifications. 
  
  
  • Senior: Lead in the development of complex calculations, project specifications, and construction cost estimates. 
  
  
  
  


• Field Data Collection: 
  
  
  
  • Project: Lead field data collection, ensuring accuracy and thorough documentation. 
  
  
  • Senior: Oversee field data collection, offering guidance and oversight to junior staff. 
  
  
  
  


• Technical Writing & Communication:  
  
  
  
  • Project: Lead the preparation of technical reports and presentations. 
  
  
  • Senior: Oversee and review technical documentation, ensuring clarity and thoroughness. 
  
  
  
  


• Project Management:   
  
  
  
  • Project: Independently manage projects, ensuring timely and within-budget delivery. 
  
  
  • Senior: Oversee multiple projects, ensuring high-level coordination and stakeholder satisfaction. 
  
  
  
  


• Client & Team Collaboration:  
  
  
  
  • Project: Lead project team collaboration and client communication with some business development expectations.  
  
  
  • Senior: Manage client relationships, contribute to business development, and represent the company in marketing and proposal development. 
  
  
  
  


• Mentorship & Leadership:  
  
  
  
  • Project: Mentor junior team members and provide technical guidance. 
  
  
  • Senior: Lead project teams, mentor staff, and contribute to strategic decision-making. 
  
  
  
  

Qualifications & Experience (vary by experience level): 

Education: BS in Civil/Environmental Engineering or related field (MS or PhD preferred for senior positions). 

Years of Experience: 

Project: 4-10 years of experience; Professional Engineer (PE) license or advanced EIT. 

Senior: 10+ years of experience; PE license required. 

Technical Proficiency:
Experience with hydraulic/hydrologic models (e.g., HEC-RAS, SRH2D), AutoCAD Civil 3D, Bentley MicroStation, and ArcGIS. 

Field Experience: Familiarity with field data collection (e.g., topographic surveys, channel morphology, LIDAR). 

Leadership & Management: 

Project: Experience managing projects and coordinating teams. 

Senior: Extensive project management and business development experience.  

Compensation:

Natural Systems Design offers a competitive salary and benefits package, including up to a 4% match on 401(K), 8 paid holidays, and 4 weeks of paid time off accrued annually. Wage ranges are based on the candidate’s experience, qualifications, and sector knowledge (fluvial, coastal, etc.). They are project: $95K - $115k, senior level: $115k - $135k. 

Start Date:

The position's start date is flexible and will be negotiated with the selected candidate based on their availability.

Hours:

We trust each other as professionals and respect each other as people. For us, this means staff have the autonomy to manage when they come into the office and when they work from home. Our staff have flexibility as exempt hourly positions. Hourly means when needed you could work less than a 40-hour week and conversely, additional hours worked beyond 40 hours are compensated at a 1.5x hourly rate. Some variable travel to project sites and office locations is expected.  

Closing Date: 

Applications accepted until hiring needs are met.  

We are an equal opportunity employer. Candidates who identify with groups that are frequently underrepresented in the science, engineering, technology, and math fields are highly encouraged to apply. All candidates will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or protected veteran or disabled status or any other category protected under law. In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire. 

Why NSD? Here are a few reasons why you might want to work with us: 

Advocacy and Actions:

We take pride in our work to make the world a better place, and we advocate, with our clients, for the actions needed to make that happen.

Challenging Projects with Rewarding Clients:

We have a constant stream of challenging and interesting projects with great clients. We solely work on projects that benefit the environment and communities and only select project partners for collaboration that align with our vision and values.

Culture:

We strive to be an inclusive, welcoming, and understanding group of individuals who are proud of our culture, passionate about our clients, and dedicated to the impact-driven purpose of our work. We’re clear on who we are, why we’re here, and what we want most to experience in our daily lives. 

Flexibility:

How, when, and where you work best - works best for us. We invest in honesty and integrity, with each of us holding personal responsibility. We are accountable to ourselves, each other, and our clients.

Innovation and Excellence:

We have developed a regional reputation for being purpose-driven and delivering innovative and excellent work. Our projects require holistic, innovative problem solving, and are often ones that don’t follow a linear development path. Here is where you will find us excel. 

Interdisciplinary Teams:

We work in highly interdisciplinary teams and aim to consider ecological, geomorphic, hydrological, and engineering perspectives on every technical challenge. We rely on team values in all aspects of our work, and share knowledge and experience with, and across, project teams.

Investment in Growth:

We are invested in the wellbeing of our staff, and support professional growth in technical skills, soft skills, leadership opportunities, and overall career advancement. We encourage initiative and openness to learning new things.

Knowledge of Washington Waters:

We know the waters of Washington State. We help shape the landscapes and communities in the places we work and live in.

Restoration and Resiliency:

We work exclusively on aquatic and floodplain habitat restoration, watershed analysis, and restoration planning and design, including integration of climate change risk and resiliency. 

Trust and Respect:

Clear is kind. We trust each other as professionals and respect each other as people. We communicate with empathy, active listening, and timely follow up, and follow through on our deliverables.