Water Resources Staff Engineer

Growing, Succeeding and Designing Our Future Together

We are looking for future team members who are excited to make an impact. As an employee-owned company, we are dedicated to the betterment of our clients, our communities, and our employees. Your contribution is key to the quality-of-service SMA delivers. Throughout your career with SMA, there will be opportunities for you to improve the skills you need to achieve your professional goals. We encourage you to explore innovative ways to develop solutions while collaborating with team members inside and outside the organization by providing the framework for you to find success.

We don't just talk about being client-focused; the engineers, scientists, surveyors, technicians and other professionals at SMA live and breathe it. After all, we are members of the communities we help.

Why Join Us?

• Ownership & Impact: Experience the unique advantage of employee ownership, where your contributions directly shape our company's future.
• Community Focus: We're deeply committed to the communities we serve. Our engineers, scientists, surveyors, and professionals are dedicated to delivering innovative solutions that make a real difference.
• Growth & Development: We invest in your professional growth, providing opportunities to expand your skills and collaborate with a dynamic team.
• Proven Excellence: With a legacy dating back to 1985, SMA is a leading engineering firm, renowned for our commitment to infrastructure, water safety, environmental remediation, and more.

SUMMARY:

Souder, Miller and Associates is recruiting for a Staff Engineer I-III for our Water Resources Department. The position is located in our Cortez, CO office. Staff Engineer I-III will assist with projects by performing the duties related to the successful completion and delivery of a project. Assignments typically include a mixture of field and office duties, working on teams and independently. New and varied assignments mat be made frequently requiring flexibility in travel, self-directed leaning skills and heightened social interaction. Field assignments can be frequent, and duration can extend beyond one week.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Acquire and develop basic technical skills.
• Apply prescribed techniques and procedures in accordance with established criteria to perform assigned tasks.
• Perform routine technical work which does not require previous experience.
• Collect data and gather information or documents. Perform standard computations or analysis. Prepare drawings and visual aids.
• Perform occasional drafting and/or figure development using technical software as required.
• Assist in client contact and communication pertaining to specific projects.
• Assist in the development of scopes of work and cost estimates for projects.
• Attend client meetings and complete field investigations, day or night; ability to complete overnight travel unassisted, sometimes extending several consecutive nights to more than one week.
• Assist in the preparation or modification of various types of reports, specifications, plans, subcontractor schedules and permits.
• Instruct technicians and/or appropriate staff in their duties in support of assigned projects.
• Direct a variety of field work using subcontractors and/or staff.
• Serve as onsite project representative and provide construction observation services.
• May be designated as responsible for onsite health and safety plan administration.
• Responsible for job specific quality system tasks as defined in corporate documents.
• Acquire and understand professional and ethical responsibilities toward co-workers, the corporation, regulatory agencies and clients.
• Demonstrate increasing levels of efficiency and independence.
• Recognize and operate within limitations while seeking advice as needed.
• Develop awareness of potential liabilities associated with the technical aspects of the area of expertise.
• Adhere to the appropriate document review requirements and understand the need to provide technical solutions that protect the company.
• Complete and submit expense reports promptly.

SALARY GRADE: $64,000 - $84,000 (Salary)

TRAVEL: up to 50%.

JOB REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor's degree in an appropriate engineering or science.
• 1-6 years of experience required post-graduation preferred.
• In-training certificate or similar, as appropriate.
• Should actively pursue professional registration and/or certification.
• Must have a valid driver's license and able to pass drug tests.

Please note: We are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this position. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

BENEFITS:

• Health, Dental, Vision, 401K Retirement Plan, Employee Stock Options (ESOP), Life/ADD/Short Term/Long Term Insurance, ID Theft Protection, Voluntary Insurance, FSA, Dependent Care.
• Employee wellness program, employee assistance program, cell phone reimbursement, flexible work schedule.
• Paid Time Off (PTO), Jury Duty Pay.
• Tuition/Student Loan Reimbursement and Professional dues.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel objects, tools, or controls; reach with hands and arms; talk or hear; sit; climb or balance; and stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee must be able and willing to frequently lift and/or move 25 pounds and occasionally lift and/or move up to 100 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.

WORK ENVIRONMENT:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee occasionally works in outside weather conditions.
• The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Why SMA?

Since 1985, Souder, Miller & Associates has been a leader in providing engineering, survey, and environmental solutions across New Mexico. As the third-largest engineering firm in New Mexico, we pride ourselves on delivering innovative and sustainable solutions to complex challenges, from designing public infrastructure to environmental remediation. Our employee-driven culture fosters a sense of ownership and community where everyone’s contribution is recognized and valued.

At SMA, you’re not just a team member – you’re an integral part of our journey to success, a mentor to the next generation of engineers, and a leader who shapes the future of the communities we serve.

If you’re ready to make a lasting impact, drive innovation, and grow with an employee-owned firm, we want to hear from you. Apply now to be part of our legacy.