Professional Civil Engineer

About the Division

Since 1996, KPFF's Special Projects Division has been at the forefront of addressing specialized challenges in project development. With over 150 team members in Seattle, WA; Tacoma, WA; and Long Beach, CA, the division offers civil, structural, and mechanical engineering, machinery design, construction and project management, and planning services. The team manages and designs heavy civil, structural, industrial, and waterfront infrastructure projects for clients such as the Ports of Long Beach, Los Angeles, Tacoma, and Seattle, as well as municipalities and government agencies.

Responsibilities

• Prepare engineering designs, calculations, reports, and construction documents for civil infrastructure projects.
• Design grading, drainage, stormwater, sewer, water, and site‑development systems.
• Coordinate technical deliverables, project schedules, and budgets with internal project teams.
• Conduct field visits and site inspections to support planning, design validation, and construction activities.
• Support permitting and regulatory‑compliance efforts with trusted permitting partners throughout project delivery.
• Maintain direct communication with clients and contribute to long‑term client relationships.
• Mentor junior engineers and technical staff while supporting their professional development.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
• Minimum five years of full‑time civil engineering or site‑development design experience.
• Professional Engineer license in Washington State or ability to obtain Washington reciprocity.
• Experience preparing civil engineering construction documents using AutoCAD.
• Experience designing site‑development infrastructure including grading, drainage, sewer, and water systems.
• Authorization to work in the United States (no visa sponsorship available).

Additional Skills

• Familiarity with Civil 3D.
• Familiarity with MicroStation.
• Experience with stormwater and hydraulic modeling software.
• Experience on waterfront or marine infrastructure projects.
• Experience supporting permitting or regulatory‑compliance efforts.
• Experience with industrial facilities, ports, terminals, or stormwater programs.

Schedule

Work in the Seattle office three days per week. Occasional local and regional travel to project sites throughout Puget Sound and along the Columbia River, with additional opportunities for regional travel for training, professional development, and corporate networking.

Pay

Base salary range: $115,000 – $165,000 annually, plus a competitive incentive‑based bonus paid twice each year.

Benefits

• 401(k) retirement savings plan with employer contribution.
• Medical insurance (choice of two plans).
• Dental insurance.
• Vision insurance.
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution.
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for healthcare and dependent care.
• Life insurance.
• KPFF Paid Family Leave.
• Short‑term and long‑term disability insurance.
• Paid holidays (including two floating holidays).
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, jury duty).

Growth Path

During the first year, you will take primary responsibility for design and reporting within a single civil discipline. By year three, you will lead design and reporting for multiple civil disciplines across several projects, coordinating multidisciplinary teams that may include structural, geotechnical, mechanical, and electrical engineers. Principals and Senior Associates provide direct mentorship, technical guidance, project‑management support, and career‑development coaching, preparing you for future project‑management responsibilities.