Civil Engineering Designer II

Progressive Companies • Grand Rapids, MI

1d • Hybrid

About The Position

As a Civil Engineering Designer I, you will help design and develop documents for a range of public and private civil projects — site plans, utility plans and profiles, road design, traffic signal plans, grading plans, and right-of-way plans — using AutoCAD Civil 3D, while working alongside project managers, engineers, and P.E.s who will actively mentor you along the way. You'll get hands-on exposure to plan design and production, cross-discipline coordination, and quality review across the full project lifecycle, so you can discover which parts of civil engineering you want to grow into. This role offers the chance to rotate through deliverables, collaboration, and compliance work under close mentorship from senior staff, build fluency across AutoCAD Civil 3D and related tools, and grow toward a Civil Engineering Designer II role and, eventually, PE licensure. Build core design and documentation skills across a range of civil project types. Support the incorporation of design intent into contract documents and prepare detailed plan sets — site plans, utility plans and profiles, road designs, traffic signal plans, and right-of-way plans — gaining exposure to different delivery methods and building proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D. Learn the full project lifecycle under senior engineer and P.E. mentorship. Communicate regularly with senior staff and P.E.s on project scope, design changes, and budget adjustments, gradually taking on more responsibility as you learn how a project moves from concept through final construction documentation. Coordinate across disciplines to see how the pieces fit together. Assist in developing project specifications, coordinate technical aspects with internal team members and external consultants, and learn to align deliverables with company standards as you see how civil, utility, and roadway work integrate. Build sound quality-control habits from day one. Review your own work for accuracy, alert senior team members to inconsistencies before they reach a client, and develop the judgment to proactively resolve issues as your quality-control skills mature. Explore multiple facets of civil design through hands-on technical work. Perform calculations for drainage, grading, and foundation designs, and develop and refine CAD and BIM models for roads, utilities, and site plans — building a working view of the specialties you may want to grow into, while helping ensure designs align with applicable codes, zoning, and environmental regulations. Ramp up on the firm's tools and licensure path within your first year. Within the first year, reach comfort with AutoCAD Civil 3D for daily production, begin pursuing the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) exam (an extra plus if you already passed this) and actively participate in team meetings and 'Lessons Learned' sessions to keep learning from more experienced staff.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering from an EAC/ABET-accredited program or equivalent in education and experience required for professional licensure.
• Knowledge of AutoCAD Civil 3D.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
• Valid driver’s license and good driving record required, with no driving or other infractions that would preclude insurability.
• Ability to lift up to 50 pounds, load and unload vehicle, and drive personal or company vehicle.

Nice To Haves

• Post-graduation professional engineering experience.
• Engineer In Training (passed Fundamentals of Engineering Exam).
• Civil engineering internships or work experience.
• CSI-CDT certification.
• Experience in HEC RAS or EPANET (water distribution).

Responsibilities

• Help design and develop documents for a range of public and private civil projects.
• Use AutoCAD Civil 3D for design and documentation.
• Gain hands-on exposure to plan design and production, cross-discipline coordination, and quality review.
• Rotate through deliverables, collaboration, and compliance work under close mentorship.
• Build fluency across AutoCAD Civil 3D and related tools.
• Support the incorporation of design intent into contract documents.
• Prepare detailed plan sets including site plans, utility plans and profiles, road designs, traffic signal plans, and right-of-way plans.
• Communicate regularly with senior staff and P.E.s on project scope, design changes, and budget adjustments.
• Assist in developing project specifications.
• Coordinate technical aspects with internal team members and external consultants.
• Review own work for accuracy and alert senior team members to inconsistencies.
• Perform calculations for drainage, grading, and foundation designs.
• Develop and refine CAD and BIM models for roads, utilities, and site plans.
• Ensure designs align with applicable codes, zoning, and environmental regulations.
• Reach comfort with AutoCAD Civil 3D for daily production within the first year.
• Begin pursuing the Fundamentals of Engineering (F.E.) exam.
• Actively participate in team meetings and 'Lessons Learned' sessions.

Benefits

• Company provided training and education
• Equitable recruitment
• Grassroots employee DEI committee
• Robust community partnerships
• Award-winning wellness program
• Hybrid work schedule
• Summer hours
• Profit-sharing
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
• Continuing education
• Mentorship
• Growth opportunities
• Paid service-learning hours
• Corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level