Transportation Engineer -Hydraulics

Job Description

This position leads hydraulic and drainage design for transportation projects, including highways, roadways, and municipal infrastructure. The role combines technical expertise, project delivery, regulatory compliance, and mentorship for both public-sector clients and internal project teams.

• Lead the hydraulic and drainage design of small to large-scale transportation projects, including highways, roadways, and municipal infrastructure.
• Develop engineering designs ranging from basic to highly complex, ensuring solutions meet client needs, safety standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Review, approve, and sign/seal completed engineering designs in compliance with federal, state, and local regulations.
• Ensure adherence to firm standards, quality control procedures, and best engineering practices across all designs.
• Perform site investigations, field reviews, and hydraulic studies to confirm design alignment with site conditions and project requirements.
• Update and refine design criteria, calculations, and assumptions as project conditions evolve.
• Support construction activities through field inspections of new and existing transportation and drainage infrastructure.
• Prepare technical documentation including hydraulic reports, drainage studies, design memoranda, and special‑case analyses.
• Contribute to the firm’s technical knowledge base by authoring white papers, technical guidance, and innovative design solutions.
• Submit technical papers and project work for presentation or publication in industry forums and journals.
• Collaborate with sales and project development teams to support proposals and responses to RFPs, including technical approaches and design narratives.
• Participate in client meetings to understand current and future transportation and drainage design needs.
• Represent the firm at conferences, workshops, and industry events to enhance visibility and technical reputation.
• Provide technical guidance, mentoring, and training to junior engineers; support staff development and succession planning.
• Review and oversee the work of junior engineers to ensure accuracy, compliance, and quality.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Transportation, Structural Engineering, or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• Seven years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required; frequency contingent on duties and project demands.
• Equivalent directly related experience considered in lieu of a degree.

• Strong background in transportation hydraulics and drainage engineering.
• Familiarity with DOT roadway and drainage design standards, including MS4 requirements.
• Experience with municipal drainage design is highly desirable.
• Proven experience developing construction bid documents for public‑sector clients (counties and municipalities).
• Demonstrated technical writing experience, including preparation of design reports and technical memoranda.
• Ability and willingness to sign and seal engineering documents, as required.
• Proficiency with CADD software such as Micro Station, GeoPAK, Open Roads Designer, Auto Desk products, ICPR HY‑8 Hydraulic Toolbox, HEC‑RAS, HEC‑HMS.

• Expert knowledge of computer‑assisted design and drafting (CADD) 3‑D and 4‑D software and practices.
• Expert knowledge of engineering principles of design.
• Expert knowledge of Microsoft business software (Excel, Word, etc.).
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Expert knowledge of federal, state, and local regulations.
• Basic knowledge of design standards (AASHTO, NACTO, etc.).

Approximately 10% or less.

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy‑related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic…