Restoration Engineer

About the opportunitySWCA Environmental Consultants is seeking a Staff-level Restoration Engineer with a passion for ecosystem restoration and water resource engineering We are looking for an Engineer who can contribute to the growth of our ecological restoration practices throughout the Great Lakes as well as support SWCA’s ecological restoration projects throughout the U.S. The ideal candidate will have experience/background in stream, wetland, and coastal/living shoreline design projects, and should have a solid understanding of applied hydraulics, hydrology, and geomorphology.

Working knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D and hydrology/hydraulic modeling is a plus.

The position will entail travel on occasion to assess project sites, collect field data, and meet with clients. Travel will be about 20% of the time with much of the travel being local/regional. This is a full-time, permanent, hourly, benefits eligible position. This is a full-time, regular (benefits-eligible), hourly non-exempt position reporting to our Lombard, Illinois office. The role is eligible for either a hybrid or distributed (=remote) work arrangement.

While candidates located near our Chicago or Michigan offices are preferred, highly qualified applicants from other locations will also be considered.

This position can be hired at the following levels:

Assistant Staff Restoration Engineer:
One (1) year of relevant experience and expertise; two (2) years preferred;

Staff Restoration Engineer:
Two (2) years of relevant experience and expertise; three (3) years preferred

About SWCASWCA Environmental Consultants is a 100% employee-owned environmental consulting firm providing full spectrum environmental services across the United States. Our North Star is to be the best place to work and a leader in sustainability, delivering sound science and creative solutions to complex environmental challenges.

We are guided by our core values every day. We collaborate as #OneSWCA, we are #Always Learning, we #Never Settle, and we #Give Back to our communities. With offices nationwide, SWCA offers a collaborative, team focused environment where employees can build meaningful and long-term careers.

What you will accomplish

Supports the development of engineering designs for assigned restoration projects, including stream and wetland design, living shorelines, and nature-based infrastructure. Collaborates with senior engineers to refine concepts and ensure feasibility. Responsible for discrete tasks or small components of restoration projects, making decisions on limited technical matters within defined procedures.

Performs field investigations to support assigned restoration projects. Collects data and verifies compliance with design plans and regulatory requirements.

Supports preparation of technical reports summarizing findings from inspections, analyses, and fieldwork. Ensures documentation supports project goals and aligns with industry and regulatory standards.

Assists in permitting and other regulatory approvals by preparing required documentation and collaborating with project teams. Ensures plans comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

Performs construction oversight activities to monitor the performance of contractors and ensure adherence to project specifications. Identifies issues and recommends corrective actions under supervision.

Assists in evaluating potential project sites and restoration approaches to determine technical and financial viability. Provides input to plans and methods.

Assists in the preparation of construction drawings and specifications for assigned projects. Ensures documentation accurately reflects project designs and complies with regulatory standards.

Supports modeling and calculations to inform…