Lead Water Resources Engineer

Senior Water Resources Engineer

STV is seeking a Lead Water Resources Engineer (H&H / Drainage / Stormwater Engineer) to support transportation infrastructure projects across Virginia. This role is ideal for an experienced water resources engineer who wants to lead complex design, support public-sector clients, and mentor early-career staff while contributing to high-visibility transportation programs. This role offers flexibility to be based in one of our Virginia offices, Fairfax, Richmond, or Virginia Beach or in our Owings Mills, Maryland office.

This position offers the opportunity to work on impactful infrastructure projects supporting VDOT, DDOT, City of Alexandria, Amtrak, VPRA, and local municipalities, while advancing technical leadership and client engagement responsibilities.

Why STV
At STV, you will join a nationally recognized engineering and infrastructure firm known for technical excellence and collaboration. We invest in professional development, leadership growth, and meaningful project work that strengthens communities.

You will have the opportunity to:

• Lead high-impact transportation infrastructure projects
• Expand your technical and project leadership skills
• Mentor and develop engineering staff
• Work in a collaborative, multidisciplinary environment
• Build long-term client relationships and career growth opportunities

What You’ll Do

• Lead water resources engineering design for transportation infrastructure projects, including roadway, rail and highway improvements.
• Perform and oversee design of stormwater management systems, drainage systems, culverts, hydraulic structures, and erosion and sediment control (ESC) plans.
• Apply hydrology and hydraulic analysis to support design decisions and regulatory compliance.
• Support and manage stormwater permitting, erosion and sediment control approvals, and environmental regulatory coordination.
• Prepare and review technical reports, drainage reports, design documentation, specifications, and engineer’s cost estimates.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design efforts with roadway, structural, and environmental teams to ensure integrated project delivery.
• Provide technical leadership and QA/QC for water resources deliverables.
• Manage client interactions and support relationships with public-sector agencies and stakeholders.
• Mentor and develop early-career water resources engineers and technical staff, supporting team growth and capability development.

• Participate in project meetings with clients, subconsultants, and regulatory agencies bringing confidence and expertise to every interaction.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a related field.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in water resources design, ideally supporting transportation infrastructure projects.
• PE license in VA/DC preferred, or ability to obtain within 6 months of hire.
• Demonstrated expertise in:
  • Hydrology and hydraulic analysis
  • Stormwater management design
  • Drainage systems and culvert design
  • Erosion and sediment control (ESC) design and permitting
  • Transportation infrastructure projects
• Proficiency with engineering tools such as HEC-RAS and HydroCAD (or equivalent).
• Experience with MicroStation and/or AutoCAD Civil 3D; OpenRoads Designer and ArcGIS preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills with ability to work in multidisciplinary teams and client-facing environments.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with floodplain analysis, watershed modeling, scour analysis, dam breach analysis, or stream restoration.
• Prior experience supporting VDOT, municipal, or state DOT transportation projects.
• Experience preparing permit applications and regulatory agency coordination materials in Virginia.
• VADEQ Certified Plan Reviewer for ESC, Plan Reviewer for SWM or as a Dual Plan Reviewer.

#LI-HyBrid #LI-MS1

Compensation Range:

$143,435.23 - $163,925.98

STV offers the following benefits • Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable) • Disability insurance • Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment • 401(k) Plan • Retirement Counseling • Employee Assistance Program • Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days) • Paid Holidays (9 days) • Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year) • Parental Leave (up to 80 hours) • Continuing Education Program • Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

Not sure this role is the perfect match? We encourage you to apply if STV’s work and values resonate with you. We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.