Principal Engineer Civil

Principal Engineer

We are seeking an experienced Principal Engineer to lead the delivery and growth of stormwater and flood risk services across New Jersey, New York and Eastern Pennsylvania. This role focuses on solving complex flooding, drainage, and resilience challenges for municipal, utility, and infrastructure clients.

The successful candidate will bring deep expertise in hydrology, hydraulics and NJ regulatory processes. Extensive experience navigating regional regulatory frameworks, and a proven track record delivering large-scale stormwater and flood mitigation is preferred. This individual will act as a technical leader, client advisor, and mentor, driving high-quality project delivery and supporting strategic growth.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead delivery of stormwater management, flood control, and drainage infrastructure projects, including pump stations, storage systems, and conveyance networks
• Experience with H&H modeling using industry standard tools such as HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, XP-SWMM, Info Works ICM, SWMM, and related platforms
• Direct floodplain analysis, watershed studies, and hydraulic system modeling across urban and riverine environments
• Lead permitting and compliance efforts, including:
• NJDEP Flood Hazard Area (NJAC 7:13)
• NJ Stormwater Rules (NJAC 7:8)
• Understanding of NYSDEC and PADEP regulatory processes preferred
• FEMA/NFIP coordination and floodplain considerations
• Serve as the primary liaison with regulatory agencies and stakeholders (NJDEP, FEMA, USACE, local authorities)
• Deliver complex programs such as:
• Flood mitigation and resilience projects (e.g., flood walls, pump stations, drainage upgrades)
• Review and approve engineering designs, reports, specifications, and cost estimates
• Lead project execution, managing scope, schedule, budget, and risk
• Develop innovative, climate-resilient solutions, incorporating future rainfall and flood conditions
• Support business development through client engagement, proposals, and market growth initiatives
• Mentor and develop staff, strengthening capability in stormwater, modeling, and flood risk disciplines

Candidate Qualifications &

Experience:

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil, Environmental, or Water Resources Engineering
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) (NJ required, NY, or PA preferred)
• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) preferred
• 15+ years of experience in stormwater, drainage, CSO and flood risk engineering
• Advanced experience in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling across complex systems
• Strong background in:
• Floodplain and floodway analysis
• Stormwater management design (BMPs, green infrastructure, subsurface systems)
• Large-scale sewer and drainage network modeling
• Delivery of major infrastructure and resilience projects, such as:
• Flood mitigation and post storm recovery programs (including FEMA-funded projects)
• Urban drainage and transportation-related stormwater systems
• Deep understanding of NJDEP, NYSDEC, and PADEP requirements
• Experience navigating multi-agency permitting and approvals
• Familiarity with FEMA floodplain management and funding requirements
• Proven ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects
• Strong client-facing skills with public-sector stakeholders
• Ability to solve complex, non-routine engineering problems
• Experience mentoring and developing engineering teams
• Willingness to travel to project sites and attend key meetings as required as needed

Benefits & Reward

At Mott Mac Donald, our employees have a stake and a voice in our business, providing them with a direct connection to our success through our personal and group performance bonuses. We provide a comprehensive benefit package that includes 401k, medical, dental and vision insurance, short-term/long-term disability, paid holidays, PTO, parental leave, and company paid life insurance.

Individual pay is determined based on several factors such as work location, education, experience, and unique skills.

The expected salary for this position is $145,000 - $177,000.

Collaboration at Our Core At Mott Mac Donald, we believe great ideas happen when we're together. Our hybrid approach centers on an in-office culture, with most of your time spent collaborating face-to-face and a minimum of three days per week in the office. We balance flexibility with connection, so you and your manager can choose how to meet client, team, and personal commitments.

Equal opportunity is the law.

We seek to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

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