Lead Civil Engineer, PE - Power & Infrastructure

Monterra•,

2d•Remote

About The Position

Monterra is a new kind of consulting engineering firm specializing in power and energy infrastructure projects. We are a team of consulting engineers and technologists focused on areas such as modular data centers, battery storage and microgrids, generators and backup power, and EV charging. At Monterra, licensed Professional Engineers (PEs) direct and supervise our in-house AI agents to deliver engineering services with enhanced speed and quality. Since our launch, we have successfully delivered projects and are experiencing growth in our client base. We are seeking a Lead Civil Engineer, our first hire in the civil discipline, to lead civil engineering efforts across the firm. This role involves close collaboration with our principal electrical engineers to deliver integrated civil and electrical design packages. The position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the firm's mission of reimagining engineering service delivery and advancing the frontiers of quality, speed, and client experience.

Requirements

BS in Civil Engineering.
Active civil PE license in any US state (California strongly preferred), with a willingness to obtain licensure in other states where the firm operates.
7+ years of experience in site/land development design (grading, drainage, stormwater), including managing projects through plan check to permit.
Working structural competence for pads, footings, and anchorage (ACI 318, ASCE 7, IBC / CBC).
Fluency in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain engineering principles to colleagues outside of your discipline.
Intense curiosity.
Strong sense of ownership.
Self-starter.
Creative problem solver.
Comfortable juggling multiple fast-moving projects.

Nice To Haves

Experience on data center, BESS, substation, solar, or EV charging sites.
Utility coordination experience for transformer pads, vaults, and service equipment.
Stormwater permitting experience in California, Arizona, or Texas.
Experience with building automation (e.g., scripts) and using AI tools in daily work.

Responsibilities

Develop grading and drainage plans for equipment yards, data center pads, and charging lots, ensuring compliance with ADA / CBC 11B for accessible stalls and routes.
Create existing-ground surfaces in Civil 3D using survey, LiDAR, and aerial site data, and determine the need for topographic and boundary surveys.
Conduct hydrology and hydraulics analysis, and prepare erosion control and SWPPP plans as required by the Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ) or site disturbance.
Design equipment pads and foundations for transformers, switchgear, BESS enclosures, generators, and EV chargers, adhering to ACI 318 and IBC / CBC standards.
Calculate equipment anchorage for seismic and wind loads according to ASCE 7.
Identify situations requiring geotechnical reports or structural engineer (SE) assessments and manage scoping with sub-consultants.
Coordinate trench routes, utility crossings, and utility pad requirements with the electrical design team.
Address AHJ civil plan-check comments and provide support for construction RFIs and submittals.
Serve as the engineer in responsible charge for civil engineering, sealing civil and structural sheets.
Establish Monterra's civil engineering standards, including details library, templates, drawing conventions, and a QC checklist.
Document design decisions, rules of thumb, and AHJ-specific requirements to guide the AI agent's development.
Review and quality control AI-generated site output, collaborating with the AI engineering team to enhance the AI agent's capabilities.