Senior Coastal Engineer

Title:  Senior Coastal Engineer

Location: Irvine, CA

Job Type: Regular Full-time

What’s the Opportunity?

Anchor QEA is seeking an experienced and dedicated senior coastal engineer with a strong reputation in Southern California to lead impactful coastal resilience and restoration initiatives. The successful candidate will leverage their established relationships with municipalities, agencies, and funding bodies to position Anchor QEA and our clients for success on competitive projects, including those supported by FEMA Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities and California Ocean Protection Council grants.

Anchor QEA delivers innovative projects across California and nationwide, including beneficial use of dredged material, shoreline protection, living shorelines, marsh restoration, and engineering with nature and nature-based solutions throughout California and nationally. This role will strengthen our presence in coastal resilience and restoration markets and includes leading complex projects, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver multi-benefit outcomes, securing and managing grant-funded efforts, and expanding our partnerships with governmental, tribal, and non-governmental entities—particularly in Southern California.

We are committed to investing in the right person and to providing support to foster your professional success and long-term impact.

Responsibilities:

• Project Management: Lead and manage multi-stakeholder coastal engineering and restoration projects from planning through implementation, ensuring timely completion within budget and compliance with regulatory standards.


• Technical Expertise: Provide expert technical guidance on coastal engineering principles, including coastal processes, shoreline erosion protection, maintenance dredging and beach nourishment, wetland protection and restoration, and engineering with nature and nature-based solutions concepts.


• Design and Analysis: Leads engineering planning and design including, but not limited to, concept designs, alternative studies, basis of design requirements, construction drawings, technical reports and specifications, and construction cost estimates.


• Business Development: Position for and win multi-disciplinary projects with a focus on sustainable coastal resilience and restoration solutions either as part of a larger team or as the prime contractor. This would be accomplished through leveraging existing relationships, serving as a visible leader in professional organizations, developing new clients, identifying project opportunities, leading proposal efforts, and capturing new work.


• Funding and Budget Management: Prepare and manage project budgets, funding proposals, and grant applications to secure financing for coastal resiliency and restoration initiatives.


• Research and Development: Stay informed about the latest developments in coastal engineering technology and practices; advance nature-based shoreline adaptation and regional sediment management strategies.


• Team Leadership: Supervise and mentor junior engineers and technical staff, providing training and support to enhance their professional development.

What Are We Looking For? 

Ideal candidates will have the following:

• BS or MS degree in relevant field (e.g., Coastal, Ocean, Civil or Environmental Engineering)


• 20 or more years of experience in coastal engineering, with a strong record of leadership in Southern California coastal resilience and restoration projects


• Professional Engineer (PE) license in California


• Understanding the application of engineering principles for engineering design, including cost estimating, and development of plans and specifications


• Proven experience in managing complex projects, including familiarity with project management tools and experience in developing and managing scopes, detailed schedules, budgets, and subconsultants


• Proven leadership in state and national organizations


• Demonstrated success in securing large-scale resilience and restoration funding


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to convey complex technical information to diverse audiences


• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities, with a proactive approach to addressing challenges


• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams and foster a positive work environment

What Can You Expect?

A collaborative work environment where we encourage everyone to bring their authentic self. We offer competitive compensation and benefits which are detailed below.  

Who Are We?

Anchor QEA is an environmental science and engineering consulting firm that is focused on improving the environment and our communities by solving challenging problems. We employ more than 400 people in offices around the United States. Our vision is for a growing company that is our clients’ first choice for solving their most challenging problems and our employees’ first choice as a company where they want to work.  Learn more about Anchor QEA at www.anchorqea.com

How to Apply?

Apply online through Anchor QEA’s Open Positions page at https://www.anchorqea.com/careers/careers-open-positions/.  Veterans are encouraged to apply.

Additional Information

We work hard to embrace diversity and inclusion. As an equal opportunity employer, Anchor QEA is committed to a diverse, multi-cultural work environment. Anchor QEA does not discriminate in employment based on age, race, creed, gender, religion, marital status, veteran’s status, national origin, disability or sexual orientation.

Salary and Other Compensation:

• Salary Range: $140,500 - $185,000


• Annual Bonus


• Other potential bonus types: Billable Time Bonus, Spot Bonus, Milestone Anniversary Bonus, Receiving Professional License/Certification Bonus, Peer-reviewed Publication Bonus, Employee Referral Bonus.

Base Level Benefits for Regular Full-Time Positions:

• Healthcare: Medical, dental, vision, basic life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability programs.


• Paid Company and Floating Holidays: 7 paid company and 2 floating holidays annually


• Vacation: 2 weeks accrued paid vacation based on length of service.  Vacation may vary by level.


• Sick and Safe Time: 80 hours annually


• Retirement Plan: 401k plan with an employer match


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  Further information on benefits: https://anchorqea.com/careers/benefits/