Coastal Engineer – Project Level

Natural Systems Design

. Design and analyze engineering approaches for restoration and enhancement of natural coastal and estuarine ecosystems using nature-based approaches .

Posted 10/16/2026full-timeSeattle • Washington • United StatesMid-LevelSenior💰 $110,000 - $115,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in coastal engineering and restoration, including project management, technical writing, and effective communication of complex concepts. Proficient in coastal process analysis, design specifications, and utilizing software tools for data analysis and design deliverables.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Coastal Engineering ExperienceProfessional Engineer (PE) RegistrationCoastal Process AnalysisProject Management in Coastal RestorationTechnical Writing and Communication Skills

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Coastal Process AnalysisDesign Plans DevelopmentSite InvestigationFeasibility StudiesClimate Change Vulnerability AnalysisTechnical WritingData AnalysisCoastal Flooding Risk AnalysisQuantities CalculationProject Specifications Development

Soft Skills

Analytical SkillsProblem-Solving SkillsEffective CommunicationTeam CollaborationClient Presentation Skills

Tools & Technologies

AutoCADArcGIS ProExcelPowerPointDelft3DSWANXBEACHCMS-WaveRMATLAB

Certifications & Qualifications

Professional Engineer (PE) RegistrationValid Driver’s License

Industry Keywords

Coastal RestorationNature-Based ApproachesBeach NourishmentInlet ProcessesCoastal Engineering ManualTribal Ecological KnowledgeLiving ShorelinesHabitat EnhancementGeospatial AnalysisRemote Sensing Data

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Remote Sensing

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Design and analyze engineering approaches for restoration and enhancement of natural coastal and estuarine ecosystems using nature-based approaches
Apply coastal design expertise to coastal structures, beach nourishment, inlet processes, and related work
Perform site condition assessments, alternative analyses, and feasibility studies
Conduct sea level rise and climate change vulnerability analyses and adaptation design
Prepare engineering plan sheets in AutoCAD, including grading plans, coastal structure layouts, cross-sections, and design details
Calculate material, construction, earthwork quantities, and impact areas for permitting, cost estimating, and bid schedules
Develop project specifications in conformance with client and industry guidelines
Write technical narratives and reports summarizing methodologies, analysis results, and design elements
Support illustrative figures and maps using Autodesk, ArcGIS Pro, Excel, and PowerPoint
Support engineering and scientific investigations for regional restoration project site analyses and related studies
Identify best available science to support innovative, cost-effective approaches and engineering solutions
Communicate with and contribute to project teams
Develop design deliverables on time and within budget
Maintain and track project schedules
Communicate project status and results to colleagues, collaborators, and clients through discussions, presentations, data visualizations, and technical writing
Serve as project manager in coastal restoration projects

Requirements

What you’ll need

5+ years of professional experience working on coastal engineering and restoration projects, including some consulting service
Current Professional Engineer (PE) registration in Washington State, or ability to obtain through reciprocity within 6 months of hire
B.S. in coastal, civil, or ocean engineering, or directly related discipline
Ability to complete site investigation and field measurements at coastal sites
Proficiency in coastal process analysis, design plans, and specifications development
Ability to conduct effective client and agency presentations
Strong technical writing and communication skills conveying complex engineering concepts
Ability to serve as project manager in coastal restoration projects
Experience with coastal flooding risk analysis and sea level rise resilience and adaptation approaches
Understanding of coastal modeling such as waves and/or sediment transport modeling using Delft3D, SWAN, XBEACH, CMS-Wave, or similar programs
Familiarity with Coastal Engineering Manual and other coastal design guidelines and standards
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
Proficiency using data analysis packages and software such as R, CEM, ACES-CDAS, Excel, Visual Basic, MATLAB, or other programming languages
Track record of successful project deliveries on budget and on time
Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S. on an ongoing basis without sponsorship
Valid driver’s license
Preferred: coastal engineering experience in Puget Sound
Preferred: advanced degree in coastal, civil, ocean engineering, oceanography, or related discipline
Preferred: familiarity with gravel and mixed gravel-sand beach dynamics and beach design
Preferred: engineering with nature, nature-based design, living shorelines, and habitat enhancement project design experience
Preferred: proficiency with aerial imagery, coastal mapping, and LiDAR data
Preferred: proficiency developing design concepts/alternatives in AutoCAD or other drafting software
Preferred: proficiency with ArcGIS platform, geospatial analysis, and remote sensing data
Preferred: understanding and sensitivity to perspectives on relationships with the natural world and traditional cultures, such as Tribal Ecological Knowledge

Benefits

Comp & perks

Up to a 4% match on 401(K)
7 paid holidays plus a day of service
4 weeks of paid time off accrued annually
Flexible hybrid work arrangement, with autonomy over office and remote-work days
Exempt hourly positions: hours beyond 40 per week compensated at a 1.5x hourly rate
Professional growth support in technical skills, soft skills, leadership opportunities, and overall career advancement
Challenging environmental and community-benefiting projects
Inclusive, welcoming, and understanding workplace culture
Interdisciplinary team environment