Leading Construction Engineer, for COWI in North America

About the role

We are seeking a Leading Construction Engineer to join our Oakland team, known for delivering complex marine and port infrastructure projects across the full lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of complex temporary works and construction engineering solutions, with a focus on marine structures (e.g., cofferdams, trestles) and lifting and erection methodologies.
• Perform and review structural analyses, calculations, and drawings to ensure stability and constructability during temporary and staged conditions (e.g., falsework, shoring, excavation support).
• Assess existing and in-progress structures for construction, demolition, and marine loading, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and project requirements.
• Serve as a technical authority in temporary works, maintaining design quality, overseeing QA/QC, and identifying and mitigating risks in complex, high-consequence environments.
• Provide technical leadership and project support, including client coordination, site involvement, and mentorship, contributing to effective delivery and long-term client relationships.

Requirements

• A Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (Master’s preferred) with a minimum of 12 years in construction engineering, with a focus on temporary works and complex structural systems.
• A Professional Engineer (PE) license (or ability to obtain in California), with demonstrated technical credibility and delivery expertise.
• Demonstrated technical foundation in structural analysis, load path behavior, and constructability, with proficiency in engineering design and analysis tools (e.g., AutoCAD, Bluebeam, MathCAD, RISA-3D).
• Demonstrated ability to lead technical work and collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage across clients, field teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities in dynamic environments, with flexibility to travel to project locations and work safely in active construction settings.
• Background in business development and team leadership, including pursuing proposals, expanding markets on the West Coast, and mentoring and building effective teams.

Qualifications

• Experience in complex marine and heavy civil projects.
• Proven track record in leading technical work and collaborating within multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to engage across clients, field teams, and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to balance multiple priorities in dynamic environments, with flexibility to travel to project locations and work safely in active construction settings.
• Experience in business development and team leadership, including pursuing proposals, expanding markets on the West Coast, and mentoring and building effective teams.

Skills

• Technical expertise in construction engineering, especially in complex temporary works and marine settings.
• Ability to solve high-risk, non-standard engineering challenges.
• Practical and constructible solutions for meaningful infrastructure projects.
• Leadership and mentorship skills.

Benefits

• Flexible working arrangement.
• Top-up parental and childbirth recovery leave.
• Fantastic close-knit team with a wealth of knowledge to share.
• Minimum 3 weeks vacation to start.
• Floating holiday to celebrate employee diversity.
• Paid sick leave.
• Annual fitness subsidy - yes, you can use this for a ski pass, yoga, or gym membership.
• 401K contribution matching with generous company match.
• Personal and professional development fund.
• Parking or public transit allowance.
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 80% employer-paid premiums.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP).
• STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance.
• Referral incentive program.
• Frequent social events.

Pay

Base compensation: $121,600 to $193,800 for Oakland only. Actual compensation is subject to variations due to education, experience, skill set, and location.

Schedule

Hybrid schedule.