Coastal engineer Jobs in North Charleston, SC

Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson is a dynamic, 100% employee-owned consulting firm with more than 2,800 professionals, providing a full range of multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, information technology, and related services to public agencies and private clients throughout the United States. JMT is currently ranked #45 on Engineering News-Record’s list of the Top 500 Design Firms.

Position Summary: JMT is seeking a Coastal Engineer to help deliver complex, high-impact coastal and resilience projects that address real-world challenges in flood risk reduction, shoreline protection, and adaptation—using advanced modeling, nature-based solutions, and innovative engineering design.

Role Purpose: In this role, you will help lead technical execution on multidisciplinary coastal projects—translating coastal processes and modeling insights into practical, implementable engineering solutions. You will support project delivery from concept through design and construction documentation, working closely with senior staff, clients, and regulatory agencies to advance resilient, constructible outcomes.

Core Capabilities: The ideal candidate is a well-rounded coastal engineer who operates effectively at the intersection of science, modeling, and design. Key capabilities include:

• 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

Growth Expectation: This position offers a clear path for advancement within JMT’s growing coastal resilience practice. You will:

• Gain increasing responsibility in technical leadership and project delivery
• Engage directly with clients and project stakeholders
• Contribute to proposal development and strategic growth initiatives
• Mentor junior staff and support team development
• Help shape innovative approaches to coastal resilience and adaptation

Key Responsibilities: The Coastal Engineer will be a key leader in the planning, analysis, modeling, design, permitting, engineering, quality assurance/control, preparation of construction bid packages, and monitoring of a broad variety of coastal engineering projects and studies. The position’s essential functions and responsibilities include:

1. 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

2. 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
• Coordinate across multidisciplinary teams to integrate coastal engineering solutions with structural, environmental, and transportation components

3. 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

4. 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

5. 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

Required Experience

• 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.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

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• Successful candidates will bring a combination of technical expertise, analytical capability, and professional skills necessary to deliver complex coastal and resilience projects