Civil Designer

At
KPFF Consulting Engineers
, we are more than just an
engineering design firm
. For over
65
years, we have dedicated ourselves to
innovative, sustainable engineering
that shapes the
built environment
and tackles
complex infrastructure challenges
. Our
team culture
emphasizes
balance, growth, and well-being
, supporting each member’s professional journey with
flexibility, generous benefits,and a
collaborative approach
to work-life integration.

With over1,500 professionals across 36 offices nationwide
, KPFF’s
decentralized structure
allows each office the
flexibility to pursue projects
aligned with their
regional strengths
. Learn more at  .

KPFF’s Orange County Civil team is seeking a Civil Designer with 1–3 years of experience to join our Newport Beach office. You will contribute to a variety of land development and site design projects while developing hands‑on experience in grading, drainage, utility design, permitting, and construction documentation. Working alongside licensed professional engineers and project managers, you will have opportunities to strengthen your Civil 3D skills, participate throughout the project lifecycle, and take on greater responsibility as your experience grows.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to civil design projects: Support the design and preparation of civil engineering plans, drawings, exhibits, and specifications for site planning, grading, drainage, utility, roadway, and infrastructure projects.
• Prepare drawings, calculations, and documentation: Develop detailed drawings and design documents using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and related tools; perform basic to intermediate design calculations; and assist with technical reports and project documentation.
• Support site assessments and data collection: Participate in site visits to collect field data, verify existing conditions, document observations, and support design decisions. Assist with construction observations to confirm general conformance with design plans and specifications.
• Assist with project coordination and permitting: Coordinate with project managers, engineers, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies to support schedules, submittals, permitting, and compliance requirements.
• Apply design standards and regulations: Incorporate applicable codes, local agency standards, accessibility requirements, and construction standards into drawings and design deliverables.
• Collaborate with project teams: Work closely with engineers and design staff to resolve design issues, integrate feedback, and produce accurate, high-quality deliverables.
• Continue technical development: Stay current with Civil 3D workflows, drafting standards, design practices, and emerging tools that improve project efficiency and quality.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering
• 1–3 years of relevant experience in civil design, drafting, land development, site development, infrastructure, or related civil engineering projects.
• Working knowledge of civil engineering and design principles, including site planning, grading, drainage, utilities, roadways, and water/wastewater systems.
• Experience using AutoCAD and Civil 3D for civil design and plan production; familiarity with HydroCAD or similar design/modeling tools is preferred.
• Working knowledge of applicable California codes, local regulations, accessibility requirements, agency standards, and design/construction standards for site development projects.
• Ability to prepare accurate drawings, exhibits, calculations, and project documentation with attention to detail.
• Strong communication, organization, time management, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to work both collaboratively with project teams and independently on assigned design tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting…