Waterfronts and Marinas Design Engineer (Coastal Engineer)

Waterfronts & Marinas Designer

Location: St. Paul, Minnesota; Superior, Wisconsin; Pensacola, Florida

Department: Waterfronts

Status: Full-time, 40+ hours/week

Job Description: Waterfronts & Marinas Designer

Position Overview

Kingfisher Recruiting has been hired to source a Waterfronts & Marinas Designer for supporting the planning, layout, and design of waterfront and marina infrastructure. This role involves preparing design drawings, technical models, calculations, and project documentation for a variety of marine and recreational waterfront developments. The ideal candidate has a strong foundation in civil or structural engineering principles and a growing understanding of coastal, marine, and harbor environments.

Key Responsibilities

Design & Technical Development

• Assist in the engineering design of marinas, waterfront parks, piers, docks, seawalls, bulkheads, revetments, boat ramps, and shoreline stabilization structures.
• Prepare marina layout plans, including berth configurations, fairways, fuel docks, access piers, wave attenuators, floating docks, utilities, and upland site features.
• Develop 2D and 3D drawings and design models using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, or other relevant engineering software.
• Perform basic engineering calculations related to structural components, water depths, and environmental loads.
• Interpret survey data, geotechnical information, bathymetry, water level elevations, tidal data, and environmental constraints.

Project Documentation & Coordination

• Prepare construction plans, sections, details, profiles, and quantity takeoffs.
• Assist with permitting packages, environmental documentation, and technical reports.
• Incorporate redlines and design revisions throughout the design process.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary project teams.
• Support client presentations, concept alternatives, site renderings, and master planning graphics.

Field & Site Support

• Participate in site visits to collect field data, document existing conditions, and support marina assessments.
• Assist in evaluating site feasibility, utility mapping, dredging needs, vessel circulation, and shoreline protection.
• Support construction-phase services such as responding to RFIs, reviewing shop drawings, and assisting in as-built documentation.

Quality Assurance & Standards

• Ensure all design work adheres to company drafting standards, professional engineering guidelines, and local/state/federal permitting requirements.
• Participate in internal QA/QC reviews of drawings, calculations, and deliverables.
• Maintain organized drawing files, technical models, and revision logs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, Coastal Engineering, Marine Engineering, or related field.
• 1–5+ years of design experience in civil, structural, coastal, or marine projects (marina experience a plus).
• Proficiency with AutoCAD; experience with Civil 3D, or 3D visualization tools is beneficial.
• Understanding of marine structures, floating dock systems, shoreline stabilization, and upland grading/utilities.
• Familiarity with coastal processes, tides, waves, sediment transport, and marine construction materials (preferred).
• EIT certification or ability to obtain is a plus.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in drawings, calculations, and project documentation.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering plans, marina layouts, and site data.
• Good communication and teamwork skills to collaborate with engineers, planners, and clients.
• Creative problem solving with the ability to develop functional and aesthetic waterfront design concepts.
• Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a fast-paced project environment.

Working Conditions

• Primarily office-based design work with periodic field or marina site visits.
• Ability to work outdoors around waterfronts, docks, and active construction sites when needed.
• Occasional travel for site assessments, client meetings, or project coordination.

Compensation:

Wage and benefits package dependent upon qualifications and experience of candidate. This position is eligible for the full company benefits package, including:

· Competitive Salary, based on candidate’s experience

· Group Health Insurance

· Health Savings Account (HSA)

· Flexible Spending Account (FSA)

· 401(k) Retirement Plan with company contribution

· Term Life Insurance

· Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance

· Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) Insurance

· Performance Bonus Program

· Paid Holidays

· Paid Time Off (PTO)

· Employee Assistance Program (EAP)

· Supplemental insurance options

· Referral Program