Coastal Engineer-NOLA
WSPThis Opportunity
Provides high‑level technical assistance and guidance on multi‑site and multi‑phase coastal engineering projects, with a primary focus on coastal protection, coastal restoration, and coastal/estuarine ecosystem restoration along the Louisiana and northern Gulf Coast. Tasks may include the design and analysis of coastal restoration and protection features such as Revetments/shoreline armoring systems, living shorelines, marsh creation projects, oyster reef restoration projects, breakwaters/wave attenuation structures, shoreline stabilization measures, flood risk reduction structures, sediment management strategies, and other nature‑based or hybrid coastal systems. Work may involve application of coastal hydrodynamics, wave mechanics, sediment transport, coastal morphology, and estuarine processes, including the use and interpretation of numerical and analytical coastal models (e.g., wave, circulation, and sediment transport models) to inform engineering design and performance evaluation. Responsibilities include substantiating technical reports, engineering calculations, modeling results, and design documentation to support permitting, construction, and adaptive management of coastal projects. Supports planning, analysis, design, and implementation of coastal and nature‑based infrastructure intended to reduce coastal flood risk, mitigate wave energy, restore coastal systems, and enhance long‑term coastal resilience. Assists project leadership with the development of engineering designs, evaluation of site conditions, coordination with regulatory agencies, and integration of numerical modeling, field data, and engineering judgment to support resilient coastal outcomes. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards and WSP’s QA/QC requirements.
Your Impact
- Lead and perform coastal engineering design for restoration and protection projects, including living shorelines, marsh and oyster reef restoration, breakwaters, shoreline stabilization features, and other nature‑based or hybrid coastal systems.
- Apply engineering principles related to coastal hydrodynamics, wave mechanics, sediment transport, coastal morphology, and estuarine processes to develop practical, constructible design solutions.
- Provide technical oversight and engineering judgment in support of numerical and analytical modeling efforts (e.g., Delft3D, SWAN, HEC-RAS, ADCIRC, FUNWAVE, XBeach, CMS‑Wave, or similar), including interpretation of results for design.
- Prepare and review engineering calculations, plans, specifications, design reports, and technical memoranda suitable for permitting, bidding, and construction.
- Serve as a technical lead on projects, coordinating design tasks across internal disciplines and external subconsultants.
- Serve as Engineer of Record on smaller projects as appropriate and desired, with senior oversight and support. On larger or more complex projects, Engineer of Record responsibilities will be provided by senior leadership, with the expectation that the successful candidate will grow into expanded Engineer of Record responsibilities over time.
- Evaluate and integrate field data, site conditions, and constructability considerations to inform coastal design development and adaptive design approaches, including defining technical requirements for subconsultants (e.g., geotechnical investigations and topographic/bathymetric surveys) and overseeing their work to ensure data quality, relevance, and usability for engineering design.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and designers, with a strong emphasis on QA/QC and professional development.
- Support agency coordination and permitting efforts by clearly communicating technical design intent and responding to regulatory comments related to coastal engineering elements.
- Contribute to proposal development and SOQs through technical approaches, project descriptions, and resume coordination, as needed.
- Coordinate, review and approve infrastructure design plans, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
- Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, models, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
- Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations.
- Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
- Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams in executing mid-level projects including project budgets, tracking hours and expenses, and task completion.
- Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide future ready solutions for clients.
- Remain current with evolving coastal engineering practices, design guidance, and applied research relevant to restoration and protection projects.
- Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Coastal Engineering, Ocean Engineering, Civil Engineering with a focus in Coastal Engineering, or a closely related discipline.
- 7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience in coastal engineering.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license required (any U.S. state); ability to obtain Louisiana PE licensure within a reasonable timeframe.
- Proficient knowledge of coastal engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to environmental permitting and project work-related issues.
- Well-defined knowledge with hydrodynamics, wave mechanics, sediment transport, coastal morphology, and coastal engineering design principals.
- Proficient ability to coordinate with agency regulators and understand requirements.
- Well-defined specific knowledge of relevant environmental laws, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
- Well-developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
- Demonstrated experience with coastal and estuarine design projects, including nature‑based or hybrid coastal systems.
- Well‑developed understanding of coastal processes, including waves, tides, storm surge, sediment dynamics, and shoreline change.
- Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies
- Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
- Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
- Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
- Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
- Adept at coordinating technical matters with public and private groups.
- Proficient understanding of and well-defined experience with coastal and surface water numerical models (Delft3D, SWAN, HEC-RAS, ADCIRC, FUNWAVE, XBeach, or similar), and with ESRI ArcGIS software.
- Working knowledge of FEMA flood studies, floodplain analysis and hazards analysis.
- Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
- Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
- Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
- Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
- Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Master’s Degree in Coastal Engineering, Ocean Engineering, or a related discipline (strongly preferred).
- Experience with coastal Louisiana or Gulf Coast projects, including familiarity with local coastal environments and restoration practices.
- Experience serving as Engineer of Record on coastal or marine projects.
- Field experience supporting coastal construction, monitoring, or adaptive management.
Boating Safety Certificate or willingness to obtain one.
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