Coastal Scientist or Engineer - Level

Position: Coastal Scientist or Engineer - Staff Level
We are Natural Systems Design, a Washington-based, and focused, environmental consulting firm with a mission to understand, protect, and restore aquatic and terrestrial ecosystems. Founded in 2003, we are an interdisciplinary team with over 50 people with office locations in Seattle, Bellingham, and Port Angeles, Washington. Our company was founded and grown with the intention of being a different kind of consulting company that prioritizes its people, values science and the environment, and works collectively to make a positive impact.

Position Summary:

We are seeking a full-time Staff level Coastal Engineer, Geologist, or Geomorphologist. Our Staff level engineers and scientists typically have 1 to 5 years of professional experience. The successful candidate will have strong proficiency and interest in coastal processes analysis, nature-based solutions, nearshore ecosystems, coasts, estuaries, and developed waterfronts.

Position Location:

(Seattle, Bellingham, or Port Angeles, Washington)

We are currently using a hybrid model of in-office and remote work. For this position, our preferred candidate is located near one of our three office locations and a commutable distance to field work in the Puget Sound region. However, the days you come into the office and the days you work from home are always up to you.

General Responsibilities:

Support site condition assessment, alternative analysis and feasibility studies, and related engineering and scientific investigation for restoration projects.

• Conduct sea level rise and climate change vulnerability analysis.

• Support engineering and scientific investigations for restoration project site analysis and related studies.

• Apply best available science and/or engineering practices to support innovative, cost-effective approaches and optimal shoreline management solutions that meet project goals.

• Perform geospatial analysis using ArcGIS and related tools, that include acquiring and processing geospatial and remote sensing data (e.g., LiDAR, coastal mapping).

• Organize data and manage datasets and analyses to be reproducible, clearly documented, and accessible to project teams.

• Assist in preparing technical reports, figures, and memos that clearly communicate methods, findings, and recommendations.

• Contribute to the project team by producing high-quality deliverables on time and within budget, tracking project schedule, and proactively and clearly communicate status updates to project teams.

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams (engineers, ecologists, landscape architects) to incorporate technical insights into restoration and shoreline projects.

• Take increasing ownership of discrete project tasks and deliverables, with opportunities to grow into project management and technical leadership.

Discipline Specific Responsibilities:

For Engineers:

• Support design and analysis of engineering approaches to restoration and enhancement of natural coastal and estuarine ecosystems using nature-based approaches.

• Assist with coastal modeling of existing and proposed conditions, including analysis of observational data and implementation of models and software that includes SWAN, XBeach, and HEC-RAS.

• Calculate material, construction, earthwork quantities and impact areas to assist with permitting, and cost estimating.

For Geologists or Geomorphologists:

• Support coastal geomorphology analyses, including shoreline change, sediment transport, and erosion/accretion processes in Puget Sound nearshore environments.

• Conduct fieldwork such as beach profiling, sediment sampling, subsurface soil characterization, and site assessments; assist with organizing and managing field data.

• Analyze and interpret geomorphic and monitoring data using GIS and other tools to support project evaluations and design.

• Support development and application of coastal models (e.g., waves, hydrodynamics, sediment transport) under guidance from senior staff.

• Assist with permitting support by compiling technical information and responding to agency comments.

• Contribute to literature reviews and stay current on regional coastal processes, sea level rise, and resilience strategies.

Required Qualifications:

• B.S. in coastal,…