Restoration Engineer

Anchor QEA • Asheville, NC

17h • Hybrid

About The Position

Anchor QEA is seeking a senior-level engineer and project manager to deliver restoration projects across the Southeast and nationwide. The work includes marsh and estuary restoration, coastal restoration, riverine and stream restoration, compensatory mitigation, fish passage, living shorelines, and nature-based solutions. The role leads projects from concept through construction, working with clients, partners, and interdisciplinary teams. The successful candidate will conduct and guide restoration assessments, data collection and analysis, hydraulic and hydrologic modeling, geomorphic and habitat assessments, restoration design, and construction and project management. This is a regular full-time position based in Asheville, North Carolina, with a hybrid work arrangement and seasonal field and construction travel of up to two weeks at a time.

The engineer will manage project teams, budgets, scopes, and schedules; prepare design plans and construction documents; oversee construction; contribute to proposals and quality assurance; and mentor junior engineers. Anchor QEA describes its work environment as collaborative and encourages employees to bring their authentic selves. The company provides environmental planning, science, and engineering consulting services and states a vision of being an inclusive, sustainable, growing environmental innovator.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree in civil, hydraulic, water resources engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years of experience in river, stream, floodplain, or fish passage restoration design.
• At least 3 years of project management experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in North Carolina, or ability to obtain one within one year.
• Proven ability to lead projects, including client engagement, scope and task management, budget oversight, and schedule coordination.
• Proven skills in hydraulic, hydrologic, and sediment transport modeling of riverine or coastal systems, such as HEC-RAS 1D/2D or SRH-2D, and geomorphic assessments.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D, ArcGIS, and related design tools.
• Experience with construction observation, field data collection, and field engineering.
• Willingness to travel seasonally for field work and construction projects for up to two weeks at a time.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work across disciplines and with diverse stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with large wood design, sediment transport analysis, or drone-based field surveying.
• Familiarity with Southeast fisheries biology and environmental regulatory frameworks.
• Experience supporting proposal development and business growth initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydrologic, hydraulic, and geomorphic analyses supporting estuarine, river, stream, coastal, and/or floodplain restoration.
• Design fish passage solutions, engineered log jams, channel realignments, and habitat and floodplain enhancement projects.
• Prepare detailed design plans, specifications, cost estimates, and construction documents.
• Manage project teams, budgets, scopes, and schedules for complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
• Assist with the development of competitive proposals.
• Provide field oversight during construction, including adaptive design and troubleshooting.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical review and quality assurance.
• Engage with tribes, state and federal agencies, conservation districts, and non-profits to deliver restoration outcomes.

Benefits

• Annual bonus and potential billable time, spot, milestone anniversary, professional license or certification, peer-reviewed publication, and employee referral bonuses.
• Medical, dental, vision, basic life and AD&D insurance, and short- and long-term disability programs.
• Seven paid company holidays and two floating holidays annually.
• Two weeks of accrued paid vacation based on length of service; vacation may vary by level.
• 80 hours of sick and safe time annually.
• 401(k) plan with employer match.

What This Job Offers

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