Coastal Engineer

Company Overview

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.

• 5+ years of professional experience supporting and leading coastal analysis and restoration projects such as living shorelines, beach nourishment, inlet management, and natural systems & shoreline restoration.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in coastal, civil, environmental, or ocean engineering (or 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.
• Fieldwork ability: walking long distances with gear, lifting up to 50 pounds, and working in and around water.
• Effective collaborator & communicator: building inclusive teams, mentoring junior staff, presenting complex information to clients & stakeholders, and working independently while contributing to team success.

• Construction observation for coastal projects (dredging, nourishment, structures, reefs, wetland 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/supervision of multidisciplinary project teams.

• Lead and support coastal process analyses, engineering design, and technical reporting.
• Prepare permit applications, construction drawings, specifications, and project documentation.
• Participate in hydrographic, topographic, geologic, and natural resource field data collection.
• Collaborate with a multidisciplinary team of engineers, scientists, ecologists, modelers, and landscape architects.
• Mentor junior staff through technical review, feedback, and professional development.
• Apply project management principles to deliver work on schedule and within budget.
• Support business development efforts through proposal writing, scope/budget development, client meetings, and conference participation.

By joining our team in the Southeast, you’ll become part of a local region’s strong culture that values creative thinking, teamwork, and multi-disciplinary integration and offers ample opportunities for cross-disciplinary engagement and project exposure. You’ll benefit from the expertise of our national Engineering Hydrology & Design (EH&D) group, which includes engineers, hydrologists, geomorphologists, scientists, and water quality specialists serving municipalities across the Southeast, Pacific Northwest, and California.

Medical, dental, and vision insurance (paid at 70% for you and your family), annual company share allocation through our ESOP, a 401(k) plan with company match, and paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays.

ESA is an Equal Opportunity Employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. (EOEM/V/F/D)