Coastal Engineer

Position Summary

JMT is seeking a Coastal Engineer to help deliver complex, high-impact coastal and resilience projects addressing real-world challenges in flood risk reduction, shoreline protection, and adaptation.

Core Capabilities

• Application of coastal engineering principles, including waves, surge, sediment transport, and shoreline dynamics
• Hands-on experience with numerical modeling tools (e.g., ADCIRC, SWAN, CMS, XBeach, Delft3D, DHI, or similar)
• Development of engineering designs for shoreline protection, coastal structures, and nature-based solutions
• Integration of green-gray infrastructure approaches into resilient, constructible designs
• Preparation of engineering plans, specifications, and technical reports
• Familiarity with USACE, FEMA, and state/local regulatory frameworks and permitting processes
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines (structural, geotechnical, environmental, civil) to deliver coordinated designs

Key Responsibilities

• Project Delivery (Design, Modeling, Reports)
• Lead and support the planning, analysis, and design of coastal engineering projects, including shoreline protection, flood risk reduction, and resilience solutions
• Prepare and oversee technical deliverables such as engineering reports, design drawings, specifications, bid packages, and permit applications
• Apply industry standards and guidance (e.g., USACE, FEMA, AASHTO, FHWA, ASCE) to develop practical and defensible engineering solutions
• Technical Leadership (Mentoring, QA/QC)
• Provide technical oversight and ensure quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) across project deliverables in accordance with JMT standards and engineering best practices
• Serve as a technical mentor to junior staff, supporting skill development in coastal engineering analysis, modeling, and design
• Cookordination across multidisciplinary teams to integrate coastal engineering solutions with structural, environmental, and transportation components
• Data & Modeling
• Perform coastal data analysis using field data, surveys, metocean data, and geospatial datasets to support engineering evaluations and design decisions
• Develop and apply numerical models for coastal processes, including waves, water levels, storm surge, and sea level rise scenarios
• Conduct statistical and risk-based analyses (e.g., extreme value analysis) to quantify coastal hazards and inform resilient design solutions
• Client & Stakeholder Engagement
• Collaborate with clients, regulatory agencies, contractors, and stakeholders to advance project objectives and ensure alignment with permitting and regulatory requirements
• Support coordination efforts during design, permitting, and construction phases, including site visits and field investigations
• Communicate technical concepts effectively through presentations, meetings, and written documentation tailored to diverse audiences
• Business Development & Growth
• Contribute to proposal development, including technical approaches, scopes, budgets, and schedules for coastal and resilience projects
• Support strategic growth initiatives within JMT’s coastal practice, including identifying opportunities and strengthening client relationships
• Participate in internal planning and market-facing activities that expand JMT’s presence in the coastal and resilience sector

Required Skills

• Successful candidates will bring a combination of technical expertise, analytical capability, and professional skills necessary to deliver complex coastal and resilience projects
• Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field from ABET accredited engineering program
• Master’s degree or higher preferred
• Professional Engineering (PE) license is required or the ability to become professionally licensed within 6 months of employment
• 7-12 years of relevant experience in coastal or civil engineering, including demonstrated experience leading tasks or workstreams on multidisciplinary projects
• Experience working with federal, state, municipal, private, and/or non-governmental clients
• Demonstrated experience in coastal engineering design and analysis, including shoreline protection, flood risk reduction, and resilience solutions
• Proficiency in coastal numerical modeling (hydrodynamic, wave, and/or morphologic processes) using tools such as Delft3D, DHI, or USACE modeling suites
• Strong analytical skills, including coastal data analysis, statistical evaluation (e.g., extreme value analysis), and application of engineering principles to real-world problems
• Experience preparing technical deliverables such as engineering reports, design drawings, and specifications for multidisciplinary projects
• Working knowledge of federal, state, and local regulatory frameworks (e.g., USACE, FEMA, NEPA, NFIP, Section 404 permitting, Section 408 coordination/authorization)
• Strong communication and coordination skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams and interact with clients and stakeholders
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and deliver high-quality work within established schedules and budgets

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with nature-based and hybrid coastal infrastructure (e.g., living shorelines, dune systems, breakwaters)
• Familiarity with benefit-cost analysis, risk assessment, and resilience planning frameworks
• Proficiency in GIS (ESRI or equivalent) for spatial analysis and visualization
• Experience with CAD platforms such as AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation and/or OpenROADS Designer
• Programming experience (e.g., Python, MATLAB, R) for data processing and analysis
• Prior experience supporting proposal development and client engagement activities

Working Conditions

• Work is performed within a general office environment 95% of the time. Work is generally sedentary in nature but may require occasional standing and walking.
• Lighting and temperature are adequate and there are no hazardous or unpleasant conditions caused by noise, dust, etc. within the office environment.
• Field work is required on occasion where work may be conducted outside in heat/cold, wet/humid, and dry/arid conditions. Some lifting (up to 25lbs) may be required as needed.