Entry/Mid-Level Water Resources Engineer
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Charlotte, NC, 28209
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 5 January 2026
Description
As a valued member of our dynamic team, you'll collaborate closely with team lead(s) to contribute to the execution of water resources deliverables and site development engineering tasks. Your role will involve participating in project teams alongside fellow engineers, focusing on designing, modifying, and analyzing power plant sites. Responsibilities may encompass:
- Determining flood levels for rainfall events spanning 100-year, 500-year, and 1000-year occurrences.
- Utilizing ArcGIS, StreamStats, and DEM data for watershed delineation.
- Conducting extreme value analysis on stream and rainfall gauges.
- Crafting H&H models with HEC-HMS and HEC-RAS.
- Performing dam failure analysis.
- Estimating IDF curves based on rainfall gauge data.
- Extracting probable maximum precipitation (PMP) data from existing publications.
- Designing storm drains, open channel drainage systems, and stormwater ponds.
- Developing site layout, grading plans, and drainage designs.
- Designing roads and trackwork for optimal functionality.
This position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
- Hold an MSCE in Civil Engineering, specializing in Water Resources, from an ABET Engineering program, with a solid academic foundation and relevant coursework.
- Possess 1 to 3 years of hands-on experience in hydrologic and hydraulic design and analysis, including expertise in assessing floods and droughts for streams and rivers.
- Strong course work in hydrology and hydraulics.
- Experience in various areas of civil engineering, such as site grading, drainage, and stormwater management systems.
- Experienced in report preparation.
- Experienced in analyzing raw data from existing rainfall gages and stream stations.
- Showcase mastery with multiple design tools, including HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS (1D, 2D), RAS Mapper, QGIS, Global Mapper, TR-55, GIS software, Civil3D, and AutoCAD.
- Have familiarity with programming languages like MATLAB, Python, R, or VBScript.
- Exhibit strong teamwork skills, able to collaborate effectively within a team environment.
- Be prepared for occasional travel as part of the job requirements.
Valued but not required skills and experience:
- PE license.
Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Compensation Range
$66,000.00 - $94,810.00Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.About This Business Unit
The Energy & Industrial Group (EIG) specializes in delivering advanced engineering solutions across various sectors, including power generation, environmental compliance, oil & gas, and industrial projects, from new plant design to plant betterment and upgrade services for operating facilities. We have designed nearly 900 conventional power plants, yielding over 100,000 megawatts (MW) of generation capacity. Our expertise includes numerous recent and ongoing combined cycle projects that leverage the latest advanced machinery, including combustion turbines, steam turbines, and heat recovery steam generators from all leading suppliers. EIG is recognized for its commitment to decarbonization through innovative technologies in renewable energy, carbon capture, and hydrogen power. We excel in detailed engineering services for photovoltaic (PV) solar projects and energy storage integration, and lead the industry in carbon capture technologies, managing projects from conceptual studies, pilot demonstrations and through commercial scale implementation for utilities and industrial plants.
Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.
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Frequently asked questions
Charlotte's growing infrastructure and environmental focus have increased demand for water resources engineers. While competition exists, candidates with solid hydrologic modeling skills and proficiency in tools like HEC-RAS and ArcGIS stand out when applying in this region.
Though not mandatory, possessing a PE license or certifications in GIS and hydrologic modeling enhances employability in Charlotte’s water engineering sector. Local firms often value credentials demonstrating expertise in stormwater design and regulatory compliance.
Expertise in hydrologic and hydraulic modeling tools such as HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and GIS platforms is crucial. Candidates should also be comfortable analyzing rainfall data, designing stormwater systems, and utilizing programming languages like Python or MATLAB to automate analyses.
Typical tasks include creating flood risk assessments, delineating watersheds using GIS, preparing drainage system designs, and collaborating on site development projects. Working closely with senior engineers to integrate data and develop comprehensive water resource solutions is also common.
This role fits candidates with 1 to 3 years of experience post-MSCE in civil engineering with a water resources focus. It offers a solid opportunity to deepen practical skills in hydrologic modeling and site design within a supportive team environment.
Sargent & Lundy fosters growth through collaborative projects, access to advanced tools, and exposure to diverse power plant site designs. The company’s commitment to continuous learning and merit-based bonuses encourages engineers to expand their expertise and professional credentials.
Working at Sargent & Lundy offers exposure to large-scale power plant projects and cutting-edge decarbonization technologies. The hybrid work schedule combined with award-winning benefits creates a balanced environment unique to this company’s engineering team.
The salary range of $66,000 to $94,810 for this position reflects competitive pay for entry to mid-level engineers in Charlotte, considering local cost of living and technical expertise required. Benefits and potential discretionary bonuses further enhance the total compensation package.
Sargent & Lundy emphasizes teamwork and innovation, encouraging collaboration among engineers to solve complex water resource challenges. The hybrid model balances in-office synergy with remote flexibility, fostering both productivity and work-life balance.