Lead Coastal Engineer

Foth is a 100% member-owned science and engineering consulting firm headquartered in Wisconsin, with over 85 years of success. Our 750 members across 32 locations are dedicated to solving our clients’ toughest science and engineering challenges. Consistently ranked by Engineering News Record in the top 150 firms, we offer a values-based, collaborative, and flexible work environment with professional growth opportunities. If you thrive working alongside a smart and caring team, Foth may be the place for you.

Join our team and experience the Foth difference that contributes to our impressive 92 % member retention rate! Learn more at foth.com/careers.

At Foth, we're not just engineers. We're a team of problem-solvers, innovators, and forward-thinkers. We're currently on the lookout for a Lead Coastal Engineer who's not only passionate about coastal and waterfront engineering but also eager to lead, learn, and grow with us. Preference is for candidates based in our Jacksonville, FL office; remote candidates in South Florida will be considered, with expectations for future in‑office or hybrid work.

Why You’ll Love This Role

You’ll lead high-impact coastal and waterfront projects, influence innovative engineering solutions, and collaborate with a respected team. This role offers technical depth, leadership responsibility, and the opportunity to shape resilient shorelines while building lasting client relationships - all with the support of an employee-owned firm that values flexibility, expertise, and continuous learning.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead with Expertise: Take the helm as lead your team on diverse waterfront and coastal projects, guiding client interaction, design, and execution with your knowledge and creativity
• Innovate and Implement: Stay ahead of the curve by identifying and implementing cutting-edge design and engineering technologies that set new industry standards
• Analyze and Design: Use your skills to perform intricate calculations and analyses, crafting and reviewing design drawings for a variety of beach nourishment and shoreline stabilization projects
• Drive Projects to Success: Collaborate with Project Managers to oversee project lifecycles, ensuring budgets, schedules, and quality standards are met
• Craft and Contribute: Develop comprehensive analytical and construction documents and contribute to Foth's growing technical library in coastal engineering
• Engage and Expand: Play a pivotal role in client relations and business development, from crafting compelling proposals to nurturing lasting relationships. Communicate complex topics to non-technical stakeholders effectively
  
  

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil, Ocean, or Coastal Engineering or related engineering degree from an EAC/ABET accredited program
• 10 years of coastal engineering experience in the areas of feasibility, design, and/or construction management
• Professional Engineer license (or ability to obtain within 12 months of hire)
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Coastal or Oceanographic Engineering from an EAC/ABET-accredited program
• 10 years of experience, preferably within a coastal engineering consultancy
• Experience integrating engineering and environmental sciences across coastal projects
• Experience preparing project deliverables, including scopes of work, cost proposals, procurement responses (RFQs/RFPs), construction documents (plans and specifications), and technical reports
• Experience with construction processes, field and construction inspection, and contract management for coastal projects such as beach nourishment, shoreline stabilization, coastal structures, and dredging/disposal
• Proficiency in numerical modeling and coastal analysis tools (e.g., Delft3D, MIKE21/DHI, SMS, ADCIRC, XBeach, UNIBEST, SWAN) and mapping/design software (e.g., AutoCAD, MATLAB, Python, ArcGIS, Grapher, Surfer)
• Experience leading geotechnical investigations and designing sand borrow areas for beach renourishment
• Demonstrated success navigating State and Federal regulatory processes, including permitting, compliance, and funding grant applications (including post-storm disaster assessments)
• Experience developing and presenting technical work at conferences or professional seminars
  
  

All Foth Companies are equal opportunity employers, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. All locations are tobacco-free. Subject to applicable state law, all applicants who have received a written offer of employment and a copy of Foth’s Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Program Policy, will be required to undergo testing for commonly abused controlled substances. Applicants must complete the required drug testing within two business days of offer acceptance. Foth will pay for all drug testing, which will be conducted by a licensed independent medical laboratory that follows testing requirements in accordance with applicable state law.

Colorado Residents: In any materials you submit, you may redact or remove age-identifying information such as age, date of birth, or dates of school attendance or graduation. You will not be penalized for redacting or removing this information.

Notice to Third Party Recruiters/Agencies: Foth does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting firms. Absent a signed recruiting agreement coordinated through Foth, Foth reserves the right to pursue and hire candidates without financial obligation to third party recruiters or agencies.

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.