Project Engineer - Land​/Site​/MUD District

About our client

Our client is a small, nimble civil engineering firm founded in 1997 and owned by a former large‑firm engineer who brought a vision of a relaxed, no‑bureaucracy culture into a high‑quality, client‑focused business. With only five employees, they maintain a close‑knit team environment, yet support a robust backlog of land and site‑development projects—serving commercial, retail, industrial, institutional (schools, churches) and numerous municipal utility districts (MUDs) in the Houston region.

The firm acts as District Engineer for 10 MUDs locally, giving this role deep exposure to utility‑infrastructure work as well as site design. Our client values work‑life balance, direct mentorship, trust, and professional growth—with daily operations free of heavy red‑tape.

Our client is seeking a motivated Civil Engineer with 3–8 years of land/site development experience to join their team as the “right‑hand” to the owner. In this key role you will execute and oversee design deliverables, manage CAD/design staff, and help steer the firm’s growth—while benefiting from a small‑firm environment that values your voice, skills and time.

• Lead and execute land and site‑development projects (commercial, retail, light industrial, institutional) from layout and concept through permitting and construction support.

• Work directly with the owner as your mentor: receive project responsibility, coordinate deliverables, provide design oversight, and act as a trusted partner.

• Supervise a small CAD/design team: allocate tasks, provide technical review, ensure consistency and quality across deliverables.

• Interface with developers, client boards (including MUDs), utilities and regulators: attend meetings, respond to inquiries, present design results, revise plans as needed.

• Manage project scope, schedule and budget—track hours, support client correspondence, recommend change orders and ensure timely completion.

• Execute or oversee utility infrastructure (water, sewer, drainage) associated with site development and MUD work—bonus if you have Houston‑area MUD experience.

• Champion and contribute to the firm’s relaxed culture: collaborate freely, move fast, get work done without unnecessary bureaucracy, and maintain a healthy work‑life balance.

• Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering (BSCE) required.

• 3–8 years of relevant land/site development engineering experience.

• EIT certification or Professional Engineer (PE) license required (or ability to obtain quickly).

• Hands‑on experience with site layout, grading/drainage design, utilities (water/sewer), erosion/sediment control, construction drawings/specifications.

• Bonus:
  Experience working with Houston municipal utility districts (MUDs) or similar special‑purpose districts.

• Comfortable supervising CAD/design staff while still executing design work yourself.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills; adept at interacting with clients, regulators and team members.

• Self‑starter mindset: thrives in a small‑firm setting, embraces responsibility, values a culture without heavy bureaucracy.

• Business‑mindset coupled with team‑oriented approach: understands schedules, budgets and client delivery while valuing collaboration and quality.

• Competitive salary + performance/bonus incentives.

• Paid time off (PTO), medical/dental/vision insurance.

• 401(k) plan with company match.

• A compact, highly engaged team where your contributions are visible and valued.

• Real‑world learning and mentorship direct from the firm owner—accelerating your professional growth.

• A work environment that emphasizes balance, no unnecessary red‑tape, efficient processes and a positive culture.

If you bring solid land/site development experience, an eagerness to grow, and appreciate a smaller‑firm culture that rewards initiative and trusts its people, we encourage you to apply. The right candidate may be exactly who our client is looking for—even if your background isn’t a perfect match.