Water Resources Engineer II

At RES, we’re looking for purpose-driven individuals who are passionate about restoration and sustainability, and who want their work to make a lasting environmental impact. Our team members go above and beyond, bringing initiative, integrity, and a strong work ethic to every project. Collaboration is key—we thrive on teamwork, open communication, and diverse perspectives. In a field that constantly changes, we value those who are resilient, adaptable, and resourceful in the face of challenges. If you're intellectually curious, eager to learn, and ready to help restore ecosystems and protect natural resources, you’ll find your place here.

We’re looking for an Engineer II to support the design and implementation of stream and wetland  restoration, stormwater, and nature-based infrastructure projects. This role is ideal for an engineer with strong fundamentals in hydrology, hydraulics, and ecological design who’s ready to contribute to meaningful, field-tested solutions—and grow into technical leadership. You’ll be based out of Louisville or Frankfort, KY, working closely with our internal engineers, scientists, and project managers. You’ll spend most of your time focused on design, modeling, and technical analysis, with occasional travel to project sites for assessments, construction support, and QA/QC review.

Why You’ll Love This Job

• You’ll help design and deliver real-world ecological solutions

• You’ll gain exposure to stream and wetland restoration, stormwater, and nature-based design

• You’ll work with a team that blends technical rigor with mission-driven values

• You’ll learn from senior engineers, PMs, and field staff across diverse regions

• You’ll contribute to projects that get built—not just sit on a shelf

A Day in the Life

As an Engineer II, you’ll support the development of stream and wetland restoration, stormwater management, and ecological site design plans under the guidance of senior engineers. Your day may include preparing grading and drainage designs in AutoCAD Civil 3D, modeling flows using HEC-RAS or TR-55, or compiling plan sets for regulatory review.

You may assist with field visits to collect site data, assess feasibility, or observe construction, ensuring designs are implemented as intended. You’ll help develop concept-level and detailed design plans, support permit submissions, and contribute to the technical details that bring our restoration projects to life.

Whether you’re running models, drafting cross sections, or updating plan sets, you’ll be an integral part of the project delivery team—helping restore degraded systems while building your own professional skillset.

We would love to talk to you if you have many of the following:

• A Bachelor’s degree in civil, environmental, ecological engineering or water resources
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification
• 2 years of professional experience in an engineering-related field
• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D and familiarity with hydrologic and hydraulic modeling tools (e.g., HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, TR-55, FlowMaster, Rivermorph, GIS)
• Experience preparing or supporting erosion and sediment control, stormwater, or restoration plan sets
• A solid understanding of stream geomorphology, hydraulics, sediment transport, and/or BMP sizing
• Familiarity with jurisdictional design standards and basic permitting requirements
• Ability to support occasional fieldwork, including site assessments, QA/QC, and construction observation
• Ability to work as part of a collaborative team under the guidance of senior staff

What will make you stand out?

• Master’s degree in civil, environmental, ecological engineering or water resources
• A PE license or active pursuit of licensure in your state
• Understanding the use of regional curves, regional regressions, and reference data in stream restoration design
• Ability to read and interpret ecological restoration construction plans.
• Hands-on experience with stormwater modeling, stream restoration, or wetland design
• Experience with earthwork volume calculations and feasibility planning
• Successful completion of at least one agency approval process for a stormwater or a stream / wetland restoration project
• Comfort performing site assessments, writing technical memos, or supporting construction oversight

Please note that the “Day in the Life” section is not intended to be an exhaustive list of job duties, but rather a representative snapshot of typical responsibilities and work experiences at RES.

RES is an Equal Opportunity Employer and a VEVRAA Federal Contractor. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.