Senior Coastal H & H Engineer

GFT • Chicago, IL

3d • $190,000 - $210,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

GFT is seeking a Senior Coastal Engineer – Technical Lead to join its Geotechnical Dams & Hydraulics Team in Chicago, Illinois. The role follows a hybrid work model and requires regular attendance at the Chicago office, with a combination of in-office and remote work. The successful candidate will lead and grow the firm’s coastal engineering capabilities, providing technical direction on complex coastal, waterfront, and hydraulic projects while mentoring staff and establishing organizational best practices.

The dams and hydraulics team works on dams and levees, water and wastewater treatment, stormwater management, and conveyance, collection, and transmission projects. GFT emphasizes technology, sustainability, and compliance in water resources and environmental remediation work.

The role includes leading coastal and hydraulic engineering analyses, modeling, design, and technical decisions; developing shoreline and flood-protection solutions; setting design criteria and standards; conducting senior-level quality reviews; advising clients; mentoring staff; and supporting business pursuits. The role requires a bachelor’s degree in a relevant engineering discipline, 20 or more years of relevant experience, and a Professional Engineer (PE) license. An advanced degree is preferred. The salary range is $190,000–$210,000, depending on experience and geographic location.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Coastal, Ocean, or Water Resources Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 20 or more years of relevant engineering experience, including significant coastal and hydraulic engineering experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Recognized technical expertise in coastal engineering and hydraulics.
• Strong understanding of hydrodynamic, wave, hydraulic, and coastal-process modeling.
• Demonstrated experience leading complex engineering analyses and designs.
• Strong engineering judgment and ability to evaluate modeling results, challenge assumptions, and develop practical, constructible solutions.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and mentor technical staff and communicate effectively with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree in a relevant engineering discipline preferred.
• Experience with Delft3D, ADCIRC, SWAN, MIKE, HEC-RAS, XBeach, or comparable modeling platforms.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the technical lead for coastal and hydraulic engineering projects.
• Lead engineering analyses, modeling, design, and technical decision-making for complex coastal and waterfront projects.
• Provide expertise in coastal processes, waves, tides, currents, storm surge, flooding, sediment transport, erosion, scour, and hydraulics.
• Lead or review hydrodynamic, wave, coastal, and hydraulic modeling.
• Lead the development and design of shoreline protection, seawalls, revetments, breakwaters, waterfront facilities, dredging and navigation improvements, flood protection, drainage, and coastal resilience projects.
• Establish design criteria, technical approaches, and engineering standards.
• Provide senior-level quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) and technical review of calculations, models, reports, plans, and specifications.
• Mentor engineers and develop the technical capabilities of the coastal engineering team.
• Serve as a trusted technical advisor to clients and represent the firm in technical meetings and design reviews.
• Support project pursuits, technical proposals, and development of coastal engineering opportunities.

Benefits

• Hybrid in-person and remote work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support for active participation in professional organizations.
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

What This Job Offers

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