Water Resources Engineer

Join our team! Our mission is BUILDING COMMUNITIES. IMPROVING LIVES. With a history spanning over 110 years, HR Green has consistently delivered on this mission, establishing alike. Each day, we work to find solutions that inspire our employees and fit our clients' needs to build trust to exceed their expectations. Our people are the heart of our success. We've earned national recognition, including being named a Great Place to Work and consistently ranking on Engineering News Record's Top 500 Design Firms in the United States and we're still growing!

Summary

At HR Green, we help communities grow and thrive through thoughtful infrastructure solutions. As our Water Resources team expands its focus on ecological design and restoration, we’re looking for a Lead Engineer to bring technical expertise and help shape complex, innovative solutions.

In this role, you’ll serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert on projects ranging from large-scale flood control to stream restoration. You’ll collaborate closely with our in-house ecologists and multidisciplinary engineering teams to take a holistic approach to project challenges — integrating ecological restoration with the practical infrastructure needs of grading, utilities, storm sewer, and culvert and bridge improvements.

This is an opportunity to work on technically challenging, highly visible projects, help grow an evolving area of our practice, and contribute to work that advances the conversation within the industry. You’ll lead the technical work and guide project teams without the expectation of business development or owning client relationships. Strong communication skills and the ability to share ideas and communicate technical concepts with clients are a plus, but direct client management is not a core responsibility.

Why This Role Stands Out

Help shape the future of our Water Resources practice as we expand our focus on ecological design and restoration

Work on complex, high-impact stream restoration projects that go beyond traditional flood mitigation

Take a holistic approach to projects, combining ecological restoration with grading, utilities, storm sewer, and culvert and bridge improvements

Collaborate closely with in-house ecologists and multidisciplinary engineering teams to develop solutions that balance infrastructure, environmental, and community needs

Solve challenging, highly visible technical problems and contribute to innovative work that may be shared at industry conferences

Serve as a technical leader and subject matter expert without the expectation of business development or sales responsibilities

Mentor engineers and help build technical expertise as this area of our practice continues to grow

What You’ll Do

Lead and perform complex technical work for water resources and civil infrastructure projects

Serve as a technical subject matter expert on projects involving stream restoration, large-scale flood control, heavy earthwork, grading, bridge and culvert replacement, and utility infrastructure

Help develop practical, innovative solutions that integrate ecological restoration with civil and infrastructure design

Provide technical expertise related to large-diameter storm sewer and water main design

Guide technical project approach, engineering analysis, design, and problem-solving from planning through construction

Develop and review engineering calculations, reports, plans, specifications, and other technical deliverables

Support project planning, permitting, and regulatory coordination, including preparing and obtaining permits with agencies such as IDOT and the Illinois EPA

Provide technical leadership and direction to project teams throughout design and construction

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including in-house ecologists, to coordinate technical solutions across project disciplines

Lead or support QA/QC processes and uphold design and quality standards

Help identify and resolve complex technical challenges

Mentor and guide engineers and project staff, supporting their technical growth and development

Communicate technical concepts and recommendations clearly with project teams and, when needed, clients and project stakeholders

What We’re Looking For

Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or a related field

+10 years of experience in civil engineering, water resources, land development, or related infrastructure design

Professional Engineer (PE) license required

Proficient in AutoCAD Civil 3D, including experience developing and working with corridor models for complex grading and linear infrastructure projects

Experience with one or more of the following: stream restoration, ecological restoration, large-scale flood control, heavy earthwork, grading, bridge or culvert replacement, large-diameter storm sewer, water main infrastructure, or similar civil infrastructure projects

Strong understanding of site and civil design principles, with the versatility to apply technical expertise across a range of project types

Experience supporting projects involving public agencies and regulatory permitting, including IDOT and Illinois EPA requirements

Demonstrated ability to lead complex technical work and provide engineering guidance to project teams

Strong technical judgment and problem-solving skills

Experience mentoring or providing technical guidance to other engineers

Strong communication skills; experience communicating technical ideas directly with clients and stakeholders is a plus, but not required

Why HR Green?

Not only does HR Green provide you with a place to grow, thrive, and enjoy your work, but we are also dedicated to delivering a comprehensive and multi-faceted benefits package, including:

Employee ownership opportunities

Performance-based bonus program

Traditional and Roth 401(k) plans with immediate employer-match vesting

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Tuition reimbursement and professional development support

Paid parental leave

Two paid volunteer days each year

Flexible career paths and advancement opportunities

A collaborative culture that values technical excellence, innovation, teamwork, and professional growth

Visit our website for detailed Total Rewards information.

Compensation Range

$107,350.00 - 180,600.00

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in accordance with the Illinois Salary Transparency amendment to the Equal Pay Act of 2003. The final agreed-upon compensation is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, skills, prior work experience, competencies, and geographic work location. The total annual compensation package may consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate, after a qualifying period, in our performance and discretionary incentive bonus program(s).

HR Green is proud to be an affirmative action/ equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, veteran status, or other classification protected by applicable federal, state or local law.