Restoration Engineer

Anchor QEA • Asheville, NC

2d • Hybrid

About The Position

Anchor QEA is seeking a senior-level engineer and project manager to deliver restoration projects across the Southeast and nationwide. Project areas include marsh and estuary restoration, coastal restoration, riverine and stream restoration, compensatory mitigation, fish passage, living shorelines, and engineering with nature and nature-based solutions. The role leads projects from concept through construction and combines technical analysis and design with project management, client engagement, field work, and team leadership. The position is based in Asheville, North Carolina, with a hybrid work arrangement. Seasonal travel for field work and construction projects may last up to two weeks at a time.

The successful candidate will collaborate with clients, partners, and interdisciplinary teams; manage project teams, budgets, scopes, and schedules; and engage tribes, agencies, conservation districts, and non-profits. Anchor QEA describes its work as environmental planning, science, and engineering consulting, with a mission of transforming the environment and communities with integrity and vibe. The company has more than 500 people in offices across the United States.

Requirements

• B.S. or M.S. degree in civil, hydraulic, or water resources engineering, or a related discipline.
• At least 8 years of experience in river, stream, floodplain, or fish passage restoration design, including at least 3 years of project management experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in North Carolina, or ability to obtain one within one year.
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects, including client engagement, scope and task management, budget oversight, and schedule coordination.
• Skills in hydraulic, hydrologic, and sediment transport modeling of riverine or coastal systems 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 developing 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.
• Support restoration-related field assessments, data collection and analysis, modeling, geomorphic and habitat assessment, restoration design, construction, and project management.

Benefits

• Annual bonus; potential additional 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, which may vary by level and length of service.
• 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