Intermediate Coastal Engineer
WSPThis Opportunity
WSP is seeking a dedicated Intermediate Coastal Engineer for its Tallahassee, Florida office. The selected candidate will primarily support projects for the Florida Panhandle Coastal Team, contributing to an expanding organization that addresses client objectives and provides effective solutions to unique coastal challenges. Provides high-level technical assistance 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 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 completing technical reports, engineering calculations, numerical modeling, and design documents to support permitting, construction, and adaptive management of coastal projects. 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
Support 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.
Utilize numerical and analytical modeling programs (e.g., Delft3D, SWAN, HEC-RAS, ADCIRC, FUNWAVE, XBeach, CMS-Wave, or similar), including interpretation of results for design.
Prepare engineering calculations, plans, specifications, design reports, and technical memoranda suitable for permitting, bidding, and construction.
Perform field work in support of coastal engineering projects, such as seagrass surveys, essential fish habitat surveys, and threatened and endangered species surveys.
Support agency coordination and permitting efforts led by project leadership.
Contribute to proposal development (e.g., Statement of Qualifications, Requests for Qualifications, and Request for Proposals) by supporting preparation of technical approaches, project descriptions, and resume coordination, as needed.
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 project leadership in a confident and professional manner.
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.
1-3 years of relevant post education experience in coastal engineering.
Engineer-In-Training (any U.S. state).
Foundational knowledge of coastal engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to environmental permitting and project work-related issues.
Foundational knowledge with hydrodynamics, wave mechanics, sediment transport, coastal morphology, and coastal engineering design principals.
Foundational understanding of coastal processes, including waves, tides, storm surge, sediment dynamics, and shoreline change.
Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
Proficient 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. Ability to interact effectively and seek guidance from WSP senior engineers who will provide mentoring on WSP project and engineering processes.
Proficient with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
Ability to uphold 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 .
Experience with coastal Florida or Gulf Coast projects, including familiarity with local coastal environments and restoration practices.
Proficient understanding of coastal and surface water numerical models (Delft3D, SWAN, HEC-RAS, ADCIRC, FUNWAVE, XBeach, or similar), and with ESRI ArcGIS software.
Field experience supporting coastal construction, monitoring, or adaptive management.
Boating Safety Certificate or willingness to obtain one.