Water Resources Designer

RICK ENGINEERING COMPANY•San Diego, CA

About The Position

RICK is hiring for a Water Resources Designer in its multidisciplinary Water Resources team in San Diego. The posting covers Assistant Water Resources Designer, Associate Water Resources Designer, and Principal Water Resources Designer levels. The level offered may reflect the selected candidate’s education, relevant experience, technical expertise, engineering capabilities, and leadership experience. The role performs and supports water resources engineering analyses, design, and technical documentation for public and private projects. The designer works with project managers, engineers, and multidisciplinary teams to develop engineering solutions and deliver quality work products. Scope and independence vary by career level, from performing assigned work under experienced engineers’ guidance to independently coordinating complex assignments, providing technical direction, reviewing deliverables, and mentoring junior staff. RICK describes a people-first culture centered on collaboration, innovation, and fun, with opportunities for hands-on experience, mentorship, professional relationships, and continued learning.

Requirements

BSCE or equivalent degree.
Relevant water resources experience: 0–3+ years for Assistant Designer, 1.5–5+ years for Associate Designer, or 3–7+ years for Principal Designer.
Strong analytical, organizational, and technical problem-solving skills.
Ability to interpret topographic information, engineering drawings, design files, and technical data.
Ability to perform accurate engineering calculations and apply sound engineering principles and judgment.
Attention to detail and commitment to accurate, complete, and well-organized engineering work products.
Ability to review one’s own work, respond to review comments, and participate in technical quality control.
Ability to organize and maintain engineering models, calculations, project files, and supporting documentation.
Effective time management, including prioritizing assignments, meeting deadlines, and completing work within established budgets.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, including preparing clear, concise, technically accurate documentation.
Ability to work independently as appropriate to experience level and collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary project teams.
Willingness to learn engineering methods, software, and regulatory requirements and continue developing technical expertise.
Ability to identify technical challenges, communicate concerns, and seek appropriate guidance when necessary.
Ability to assist, guide, and mentor less-experienced staff as appropriate to the position level.
Technical experience or familiarity in one or more relevant areas, such as hydrologic or hydraulic analysis, flood control, stormwater management, watershed planning, water quality, stream restoration, MS4 compliance, or preparation of engineering calculations and technical documents.
Experience with one or more applicable engineering, modeling, or design applications is desirable; expected proficiency varies by career level.

Nice To Haves

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification is preferred.
Experience with HEC-RAS, including 1D and 2D hydraulic modeling.
Experience with HEC-HMS.
Experience with EPA SWMM or PCSWMM.
Experience with ArcGIS Pro or other GIS applications.
Experience with AutoCAD or Civil 3D.
Experience with AES or comparable hydrologic and hydraulic modeling programs.
Experience with LSPC or similar water quality modeling programs.
Experience with Microsoft Excel and other engineering data analysis applications.
Experience with other applicable drainage, floodplain, and water quality modeling software.

Responsibilities

Perform hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for land development, transportation, drainage infrastructure, green infrastructure, watershed planning, and flood control projects.
Prepare hydrologic calculations, hydraulic models, drainage studies, and supporting exhibits for storm drain systems, open channels, detention facilities, and other drainage improvements.
Perform water quality and hydromodification management analyses, including stormwater treatment calculations, BMP sizing and design, and hydromodification modeling.
Support floodplain studies and flood control projects, including riverine hydraulic modeling, floodplain mapping, and documentation for FEMA map revisions.
Prepare engineering calculations, conceptual designs, plans, technical specifications, and supporting documentation for stormwater infrastructure, BMPs, and stream restoration projects.
Support watershed planning, drainage and water quality master plans, municipal stormwater programs, and regulatory compliance studies.
Collect, review, and analyze engineering data, including topographic information, drainage infrastructure, hydrologic records, GIS data, and field observations.
Prepare technical reports and supporting documentation, including drainage studies, SWQMPs, hydromodification management studies, feasibility studies, and engineering memoranda.
Apply applicable engineering standards, design criteria, regulatory requirements, and local agency guidelines to analyses and engineering deliverables.
Organize and maintain engineering calculations, modeling files, design documents, and supporting records in accordance with project requirements and RICK quality control procedures.
Review and check technical work for accuracy, completeness, and consistency, and incorporate comments from project managers, senior engineers, clients, and regulatory agencies.
Coordinate with project managers, engineers, designers, and other disciplines to complete assigned work within project budgets and schedules.
Identify technical issues, evaluate potential solutions, and communicate findings and recommendations to project managers and senior technical staff.
At the Associate level, manage assigned technical tasks, evaluate alternatives, coordinate with team members, review work, and assist with technical guidance to junior staff.
At the Principal level, coordinate complex assignments, provide technical direction, review deliverables, support project managers with technical coordination, budgets, and schedules, and mentor junior staff.