Coastal Engineer

Environmental Science Associates (ESA) is a 100% employee‑owned environmental consulting firm. We plan, design, permit, mitigate, and restore for projects across our communities, infrastructure systems, open spaces, and wildlands. We are 50 years strong in 21 offices across California, the Pacific Northwest, and the southeastern United States.

ESA is seeking a highly motivated Coastal Engineer to join our growing team of engineers and scientists in the Southeast. This is an exciting opportunity for a passionate professional with experience in coastal processes and restoration who is eager to contribute to meaningful projects along the Gulf and Atlantic coasts. This is a full‑time, hybrid role
, with the expectation of working on‑site at least three days per week
. This role is ideally based near ESA’s Tampa or Boynton Beach offices
, with availability for occasional travel to project sites, conferences, and team collaboration events.

You are a coastal engineer with 5+ years of professional experience supporting and leading coastal analysis and restoration projects, such as:

• Living shorelines
• Beach nourishment
• Inlet management
• Natural systems and shoreline restoration

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in coastal, civil, environmental, ocean engineering, or a related field
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required (Florida PE preferred)
• Experience designing moderately complex coastal projects, including beaches, dunes, shorelines, inlets, creeks, and restoration systems
• Knowledge of state and federal permitting, regulatory compliance, implementation, and monitoring of coastal projects
• Strong technical skills in data collection, analysis, reporting, and communication
• Proficiency with tools such as AutoCAD, ArcGIS, MATLAB, and Microsoft Office
• Able to conduct fieldwork that involves being in and around water, walking long distances with gear, and lifting up to 50 pounds.

• Builds inclusive, high‑performing teams
• Mentors and supports junior staff through supervision and knowledge‑sharing
• Presents complex technical information clearly to clients, agencies, stakeholders, and the public
• Works independently while contributing proactively to team success

Strong preference will be given to candidates with experience in one or more of the following areas:

• Construction observation for coastal projects (dredging, nourishment, structures, reefs, wetlands creation, living shorelines)
• Field data collection (waves, currents, sediment sampling, beach profiles, geotechnical/geophysical surveys)
• Coastal structure assessments following ASCE underwater investigation standards
• Scientific diving or snorkeling experience
• Certified or trained boat operator
• Scope and fee proposal development
• Leadership or supervision of multidisciplinary project teams

• Leading and supporting coastal process analyses, engineering design, and technical reporting
• Preparing permit applications, construction drawings, specifications, and project documentation
• Participating in hydrographic, topographic, geologic, and natural resource field data collection
• Collaborating with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, ecologists, modelers, and landscape architects
• Mentoring junior staff through technical review, feedback, and professional development
• Applying project management principles to deliver work on schedule and within budget
• Supporting business development efforts through proposal writing, scope/budget development, client meetings, interviews, and conference participation

You will thrive in a fast‑paced environment managing multiple responsibilities while contributing to impactful coastal projects across Florida, Alabama, and beyond.

By joining our team in the Southeast, you’ll become part of the local region’s strong culture where we value creative thinking, teamwork, and multi‑disciplinary integration and have ample opportunities for cross‑disciplinary engagement and project exposure. You’ll also benefit from the expertise of our national Engineering Hydrology & Design (EH&D) group. Our EH&D team…