Senior Marine/Coastal Engineer - Project Management

Baird has an opportunity for a Senior Marine/Coastal Engineer with technical expertise and project management experience in water resources and coastal engineering.

You will manage all phases of project work, from planning and design through construction and close-out, while serving as a key client contact. Responsibilities also include business development, proposal support, and client relationship management. Regular travel, including extended site visits, may be required to support project execution and client engagement.

As an experienced engineer, you will also provide guidance and mentorship to junior staff as part of a collaborative team environment.Your experience will complement and enhance our team’s capabilities in coastal and marine structures, port and navigation engineering, risk analysis, hydrology and hydraulics, metocean analysis, and construction management. Baird offers the potential for ownership in the company—a long-term opportunity to help shape its future and share in its success.

What You’ll Be Doing

Project Management & Technical Delivery

• Lead the planning, design, and delivery of complex coastal and waterfront infrastructure projects.
• Serve as the primary technical lead and project manager on coastal engineering assignments.
• Apply advanced coastal and structural engineering principles to develop design solutions for coastal protection, erosion control, and marine infrastructure.
• Oversee and review design documentation including engineering reports, construction drawings, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Manage project schedules, budgets, and deliverables while ensuring adherence to internal quality control processes.
• Ensure all project work is conducted with attention to safety, environmental stewardship, and regulatory compliance.

Client Engagement

• Manage client relationships, acting as the day-to-day point of contact and ensuring client expectations are met or exceeded.
• Support proposal development, interviews, and business development strategies.
• Maintain and grow client relationships; guide project strategy to align with client needs.
• Regular travel, including extended site visits, is required to support project execution and maintain client relations.

Team Coordination & Collaboration

• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including engineers, scientists, surveyors, and CADD/GIS specialists across offices and time zones.
• Lead site investigations, condition assessments, and construction oversight for marine projects.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in coastal engineering, civil engineering, ocean engineering or related field
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) in good standing
• 10+ years of progressive experience in coastal and marine engineering
• Experience with site investigations, permitting, and construction-phase services
• Proven ability to lead complex, multidisciplinary projects from concept to completion
• Proven project management skills, including budgeting, scheduling, and risk management
• Effective communication and presentation skills, with the ability to convey technical information to diverse audiences.
• Willingness to travel regularly and conduct fieldwork, including extended site visits

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in coastal engineering, civil engineering, ocean engineering or related field from an accredited institution (PhD a plus)
• Experience in coastal and marine engineering, with a focus on the design and construction of coastal infrastructure (e.g., seawalls, revetments, breakwaters, ports, or harbors
• Experience working in consulting or client-service environments
• Proficiency in design software (e.g., AutoCAD Civil 3D, HEC-RAS, MIKE21, SWAN, Delft3D) and numerical modeling tools
• Demonstrated expertise in coastal hydrodynamics, wave modeling, sediment transport, and shoreline protection design

We will meet you where you're at, with multiple locations in the US and accross the globe. We thank all candidates for their interest; however, only those who qualify for an interview will be contacted.

Baird is employee-owned. We offer competitive compensation and benefits. 

W.F. Baird & Associates (Baird) is committed to providing an inclusive work environment for all and is proud to be an EOE/M/F/D/V.

Baird is an equal-opportunity employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability, genetics, or citizenship status (when otherwise legally authorized to work) and will not be discriminated against based on such characteristics or any other status protected by the laws or regulations in the locations where Baird operates.

We thank all candidates for their interest. Baird is a diverse and inclusive workplace that is welcoming to all backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences. We encourage you to apply even if you don't match all of our job requirements!

Disclaimer: The above information in this description has been designed to indicate the general nature and level of work performed by employees with this classification. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this position.

Please note applicants must be legally entitled to work in the U.S., without requiring sponsorship to be considered.