Early-Career Water Resources Engineer

About the role

Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for an Early-Career Water Resources Engineer in our Oak Brook, IL office. This position is well suited for a water resources professional with hands-on experience in hydrologic, hydraulic, groundwater, and pollutant transport modeling; spatial data analysis and visualization; field monitoring; and technical reporting. The role will provide opportunities to apply civil, environmental, and water resources engineering knowledge to address real-world water quality, stormwater, watershed, and contaminant control challenges, including projects related to National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES), Total Maximum Daily Loads (TMDLs), Combined Sewer Overflows (CSOs), data analysis, sampling, and reporting, while also building the consulting and client service skills needed for long-term career growth.

Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service. We invest in our people through competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.

Responsibilities

• Collaborate with interdisciplinary teams of engineers, scientists, clients, agencies, and stakeholders on water resources, stormwater, water quality, contaminant fate and transport, and remediation-related projects.
• Develop, calibrate, and evaluate hydrologic, hydraulic, groundwater, and pollutant transport models for watersheds, stream systems, stormwater infrastructure, surface-groundwater systems, and contaminated sites.
• Apply tools such as EPA-SWMM, SWAT, HEC-RAS, EFDC, and related modeling platforms to support water quality, flooding, nutrient management, and remediation evaluations.
• Process, organize, and analyze spatial, land cover, soil, climate, hydrologic, groundwater, and water quality datasets using GIS, Python, and statistical methods.
• Prepare maps, figures, 2D/3D visualizations, model inputs, and technical graphics to communicate complex water resources and contaminant transport findings.
• Conduct field investigations, including surface water, sediment, and sampling; installation and maintenance of monitoring equipment; and surveying activities.
• Manage, evaluate, and summarize monitoring data, model results, and scenario analyses for technical teams, clients, stakeholders, and regulatory audiences.
• Review state and federal regulations, permits, and technical guidance related to surface water, groundwater, stormwater, water quality, and contaminant control.
• Prepare technical reports, memoranda, presentations, and other client-ready deliverables.
• Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental, water resources, hydraulic, or civil engineering; natural resources science; or a closely related field. (required)
• Advanced degree in environmental engineering, water resources science, civil engineering, or a related engineering discipline. (preferred)
• Engineer-in-Training (E.I.T.) certification, or ability to obtain, where applicable. (preferred)
• At least 2 years of related academic, research, internship, or professional experience in water resources, environmental engineering, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, water quality modeling, groundwater modeling, or contaminant fate and transport. (preferred)
• Experience with hydrologic, hydraulic, groundwater, and pollutant transport modeling tools such as EPA-SWMM, SWAT, HEC-RAS, EFDC, MODFLOW, MODPATH, MT3D, SWAT, PHREEQC, PFLOTRAN, or similar platforms. (preferred)
• Proficiency using GIS and spatial analysis tools such as ArcGIS Pro, QGIS, GeoPandas, Rasterio, Google Earth Engine, or similar applications to develop model inputs, maps, and data visualizations. (required)
• Programming and data analysis experience using Python and/or R, including tools for data processing, statistical analysis, model support, visualization, or automation. (preferred)
• Experience using scripting, automation, machine learning, data science, or cloud-based workflows to support environmental modeling and analytics. (preferred)
• Experience developing technical figures, maps, and 2D/3D visualizations using tools such as EVS, Adobe Illustrator, GIS platforms, or related visualization software. (preferred)
• Field experience with surface water sampling; installation or maintenance of gauges, piezometers, pressure transducers, or dataloggers; and survey methods. (preferred)
• Ability and willingness to perform fieldwork and travel. (required)
• Strong technical writing, presentation, communication, data interpretation, and problem-solving skills, including experience preparing reports, manuscripts, conference presentations, or agency/stakeholder-facing materials. (required)
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office suite. (required)
• Valid U.S. driver’s license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)

Pay

Minimum Salary: $70,520/year / Maximum Salary: $102,080/year (Oakbrook, IL)

Benefits

• 9 paid holidays and 2 floating holidays
• Minimum of 8 sick days and 11 vacation days per year, in line with state or federal requirements
• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement plan
• A variety of leaves of absence