Civil Engineer - Principal

May 28, 2026

• 15+ years of civil engineering experience or a relevant combination of experience and education
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field; MBA preferred
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) licensure, with Tennessee registration or ability to obtain
• Additional professional certifications such as CPESC, CFM, or PMP are a plus

We have experts! CEC is consistently ranked as a Top 500 Design Firm and Top 200 Environmental Firm by Engineering News-Record
. We are looking for people who enjoy using their education and experience to solve difficult technical problems and work on interesting projects. You can accomplish this while working with a team of professionals who are equally motivated to provide high levels of service to our clients and to teach you along the way.

• Demonstrated leadership in managing large, complex civil engineering projects
• Experience mentoring and developing engineering staff
• Proven track record in business development and client relationship management
• Experience integrating multidisciplinary teams and coordinating across projects

• Apply advanced engineering principles and practices to manage complex projects.
• Develop, lead, and mentor teams of engineers and project managers to achieve technical and professional excellence.
• Grow and develop established and new clients in the Real Estate, Oil & Gas, Renewables, and Manufacturing sectors.
• Participate in and lead internal and external client- and professional-development initiatives.
• Lead financial management of projects (AR/WIP), including resolving complex accounting or legal issues.
• Develop scopes of service and project budgets (proposals) and direct projects profitably.
• Hire, recruit, mentor, and develop staff members to support career growth and office capabilities.
• Communicate effectively with staff, clients, contractors, and regulatory officials, both verbally and in writing.
• Present at public meetings and hearings with qualifications sufficient to provide expert testimony.
• Demonstrate leadership and commitment to mentoring junior staff while fostering a collaborative team culture.

Vision insurance, tuition assistance, 401(k) matching, profit sharing, performance bonus, company stock, medical, dental and vision insurance, short- and long-term disability, professional development, and work-life balance.

As a Civil Engineering Principal for Civil & Environmental Consultants, Inc. (CEC) in our Knoxville, TN office, you'll partner with senior leadership to grow the Civil/Site Practice, strengthen client relationships, and guide stakeholders through the regulatory environment while ensuring technical excellence. You'll lead and mentor a team of engineers and project managers, oversee proposals, budgets, and quality control, and support recruiting and staff development.

At the same time, senior leadership will work with you to shape your own career path through targeted professional development, mentoring, and involvement in office and corporate initiatives.

At CEC, every team member is personally invested in serving our clients with integrity, delivering results that matter, and growing meaningful careers. As employee-owners, we're accountable not just for our work, but for creating an environment that supports and challenges one another. Our people are our priority—and that's what drives us to dig deeper, collaborate smarter, and build lasting relationships inside and outside of our company.

Our Knoxville office, located in the heart of East Tennessee, is home to a dynamic and collaborative team of professionals. Nestled near the foothills of the Great Smoky Mountains, Knoxville offers a unique blend of natural beauty, vibrant culture, and a strong sense of community. The city boasts excellent schools and a thriving downtown with restaurants, entertainment, and outdoor spaces.

CEC is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in recruiting, hiring or promotion based on race, color, religion, sex (including sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, transgender status), national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status or any other basis or characteristic prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law.

If CEC has not expressly requested recruiting services or contractually engaged with you for recruiting services on a specific position, any resumes or candidate profiles sent to CEC shall be considered unsolicited. Therefore, any such submissions will be considered property of CEC, with no associated fees due to your firm.