Lead Coastal Engineer

Foth is looking for a Lead Coastal Engineer will lead and execute complex coastal and waterfront projects, including beach nourishment, shoreline stabilization, and coastal analysis efforts. This role is highly technical and collaborative, involving numerical modeling, data analysis, design calculations, and development of reports and construction documents, while translating complex findings into clear insights for clients and stakeholders. You will take ownership of projects from inception through delivery - coordinating resources, supporting permitting and construction efforts, mentoring junior staff, and serving as a client-facing technical expert.

This position is intended to be based in our Jacksonville, FL office, with consideration for candidates in the Palm Beach County area, with a future in-office expectation.

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