Lead Drainage Engineer | Chicago
A well-established engineering consulting firm is seeking a Lead Drainage Engineer to help drive the growth of its transportation drainage practice. This role offers the opportunity to lead complex hydraulic and hydrologic design efforts, mentor engineers, influence technical standards, and play a key role in shaping the future of the team.
This role goes beyond project delivery. You'll serve as a technical leader for drainage engineering efforts across transportation projects while helping build and grow a high-performing team. Working alongside senior leadership, you'll contribute to strategic planning, client development, staffing decisions, and practice growth while continuing to lead meaningful engineering work that improves transportation infrastructure and community resilience.
What You'll Do:
Technical Leadership & Project Delivery
- Lead drainage engineering efforts for transportation projects involving hydraulics, hydrology, and stormwater management.
- Serve as a technical authority, guiding engineering design and solving complex infrastructure challenges.
- Prepare and review drainage studies, hydraulic reports, technical documentation, and engineering analyses.
- Make critical design decisions that balance client needs, project requirements, and long-term infrastructure performance.
- Provide quality control and technical oversight for engineering deliverables.
- Sign and seal engineering documents as a licensed Professional Engineer.
Project Management & Team Leadership
- Lead multidisciplinary teams and coordinate project schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
- Partner with project managers or serve as PM on select assignments.
- Mentor and develop engineers at all experience levels.
- Support team growth by identifying staffing needs and participating in hiring efforts.
- Help establish best practices and technical standards across the organization.
Client Development & Strategic Growth
- Build and maintain strong client relationships.
- Support proposal preparation, scope development, fee estimates, and business planning initiatives.
- Assist with contract negotiations, agreements, and project amendments.
- Partner with leadership on business development efforts and growth strategies.
- Represent the firm through professional organizations, industry events, and technical presentations.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Engineering.
- Active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- 10+ years of progressive engineering experience, preferably within transportation and drainage design.
- Strong experience with HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, OpenRoads Designer, MicroStation
- Experience with XP-SWMM and SRH-2D is preferred.
- Familiarity with IDOT drainage design standards, hydraulic reports, and location drainage studies is highly desirable.
- Proven ability to lead projects, mentor staff, and manage technical deliverables.
- Strong communication, leadership, and relationship-building skills.
This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced drainage engineer who wants to make a broader impact, help shape a growing practice, and advance into a leadership role while staying connected to meaningful technical work.
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