Senior Land Development Engineer

Job Description

Location: Lynchburg, VA

Department: Land Development Engineering

Reports To: Team Leader

Job Type: Full-Time

Position Summary

The Senior Land Development Engineer is responsible for leading, designing, and delivering complex land development projects from due‑diligence through construction. This senior-level role provides technical oversight, mentoring, and direct coordination with clients, permitting agencies, utility providers, and multidisciplinary project teams. Projects may include residential subdivisions, commercial sites, mixed-use development, municipal improvement projects, etc. Responsibilities require mature engineering judgment and expert-level knowledge of grading, drainage, utilities, stormwater management, erosion control, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Management

• Develop scopes, budgets, proposals, schedules, and project work plans.
• Oversee project delivery, ensure milestones are met, and manage risks or scope changes.
• Oversee junior engineers and train as necessary.

Technical Design & Review

• Review and prepare engineering plans for site grading, roadways, utilities, water/sewer systems, stormwater management, and erosion control.
• Validate design assumptions through calculations, modeling, and QA/QC processes.
• Produce and oversee detailed CAD/Civil 3D design packages.
• Prepare technical reports, drainage analyses, stormwater compliance documents, and permitting submittals.
• Conduct due diligence studies and land reviews for feasibility and servicing capacity.

Regulatory & Permitting Coordination

• Liaise with local municipalities, state agencies, and approving authorities to advocate for client objectives and advance project approvals.
• Ensure all plans comply with local, state, and federal regulations, including zoning, stormwater, utility, and environmental guidelines.
• Secure required permits and coordinate reviews, comments, and revisions.
• Attend and represent clients at public hearings as necessary for rezoning and special use permits.

Client & Stakeholder Engagement

• Serve as primary client contact; maintain long-term, trust-based relationships.
• Lead presentations at public meetings, municipal hearings, and client review sessions.
• Coordinate with surveyors, geotechnical engineers, landscape architects, and other consultants.

Team Development & Mentorship

• Mentor project engineers, EITs, and CAD designers; provide training in technical methods and best practices.
• Support internal coordination meetings and contribute to team-wide process improvements.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license required (Virginia preferred).
• 6–10 years of progressive experience in civil site/land development engineering.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD Civil 3D and related hydrologic/hydraulic modeling tools.
• Strong understanding of Virginia permitting processes, DEQ stormwater regulations, and municipal development standards

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience managing full project lifecycles, from concept through construction support.
• Experience preparing land use applications, rezoning packages, and utility coordination.
• Familiarity with environmental permitting, traffic coordination, and multi-agency review.

Working Conditions

• Office-based with periodic field/site visits.
• Attendance at municipal meetings, client offices, and public hearings as needed.

Base Salary Range: $100,000 to $135,000

Note: These rates correspond to a billing range of $160 to $200 per hour, and candidates should possess confidence in this valuation for services rendered to clients.

Bonus available depending on overall company profitability.

Benefits

• Health Insurance – PDG pays 95% of the employee monthly premium if you choose to participate in the Company plan and PDG pays 35% of the monthly premium for all dependents you add to your plan. You will be responsible for the difference. This will be withheld from your paycheck pre-taxed.
• HSA – Employees are eligible to contribute to a Health Savings account. PDG matches $0.25 per $1.00 contributed up to $1,500.
• HRA – Employees are eligible for a Health Reimbursement Account of up to $2,500.
• 401k – Employees are eligible to contribute to a 401k with a 100% company match up to 4% of salary after six months of employment.
• Dental and Vision Insurance – PDG offers group dental and vision insurance plans. This will be withheld from your paycheck if you choose to participate.
• Long Term Disability and Short Term Disability Insurance are provided and paid 100% by PDG.
• $50,000 Life Insurance is provided and paid 100% by PDG.
• Supplemental Health/Life Insurance Policies are also available. Additional information is available upon request. This will be withheld from your paycheck if you choose to participate.
• 529 College plan is available.
• 8 days paid holiday leave.
• Paid day off for your Birthday!
• 120 hours paid Personal Time Off (PTO). PTO will be pro-rated for the period between your start date and December 31, 2025.
• $30 per payroll for cellular phone usage.