Water Resources Engineer/Scientist – Project Level

NCE is actively recruiting for a Project Engineer/Scientist to support NCE’s emerging Water Resources Practice in northern California. We are looking for a dynamic person who enjoys a mix of office and field work and can apply analytical and critical thinking skills in both environments. If you are a natural problem solver who thrives in a supportive but independent work environment, possess the innate talent to efficiently identify, review, and apply large amounts of technical and regulatory material, and you possess an interest to learn and apply new skills and knowledge to regulatory permitting for flood control, stormwater, creek/river restoration, climate adaptation, and watershed planning projects, you should find out more about this opportunity. The natural ability to communicate (written and verbal) in a team environment is essential.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in various design / engineering projects for stormwater systems, urban drainage, flood control systems, natural rivers and creeks, green infrastructure, etc.
• Support climate adaptation initiatives focused on water infrastructure resilience and nature-based solutions
• Contribute to watershed assessments and planning efforts
• Participate in river and flood control channel engineering and restoration projects
• Perform hydrologic and hydraulic modeling using HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, ArcGIS, and similar tools
• Develop GIS maps and spatial analyses to support project needs
• Experience developing drawings, plans, specifications, and estimates
• Conduct field investigations and data collection
• Prepare technical documentation and contribute to project reports
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams on integrated water resource projects

Qualifications (Must Have):

• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, environmental engineering, environmental science, hydrology, earth sciences, watershed science, or related field
• Basic understanding of stormwater management principles and practices
• Familiarity with engineering design concepts and key environmental regulations
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office suite, and good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong academic background in water resources, hydrology, or related coursework
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites

Qualifications (Nice to Have)

• 2-7 years of relevant experience
• Master’s degree in relevant field
• Strong interdisciplinary background/experience, for example, knowledge in watershed ecology, fisheries, geomorphology, restoration, landscape architecture, botany, riparian ecology, etc.               
• Experience with HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, or similar modeling software
• GIS skills, particularly with ArcGIS or QGIS
• Knowledge of California environmental regulations and permitting
• Experience with AutoCAD and/or Civil 3D
• Field data collection experience
• Professional licensure, or evidence of significant progress toward licensure (PE, CEG, PH, CFM, QSD/QSP, and/or related)

What We Offer

• Mentorship from experienced professionals
• Diverse project experience across Northern California and Nevada
• Professional development opportunities and support for licensure
• Collaborative and supportive work environment
• Competitive salary and benefits package
• Work-life balance and flexible scheduling options

Salary range is $65,000 to $90,000, depending on experience, licensure status, and location.