Civil Engineering Department Director

Job Description

Impact Recruitment is partnering with a growing engineering firm in Houston, Texas. This position plays a critical leadership role in shaping the future of the Civil Engineering Department and supporting the continued growth of the firm. The Director will help establish long-term operational strength, technical excellence, and market leadership within the organization.


Position Summary


The Civil Engineering Department Director is responsible for the strategic leadership, growth, and operational management of the Civil Engineering Department. This role oversees technical excellence, staff development, client satisfaction, and business growth across the firm's diversified markets, including Commercial & Public Works Site Development, Transportation, Industrial/Energy-Related Services, and Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE).


The Director will play a key role in building and scaling the department strategically, establishing strong internal processes, expanding service offerings, mentoring staff, and ensuring the Department's production. This position requires a strong balance of technical expertise, leadership capability, and business acumen.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Management

• Oversee Daily Civil Engineering Department Operations
• Manage Staffing Levels, Work-Load Distribution & Resource Planning
• Monitor Project Performance, Schedules, Budgets & Profitability
• Ensure Company Standards, Regulatory Requirements & Safety Protocols Compliance
• Drive Operational Efficiency & Continuous Improvement Initiatives
• Maintain Accountability for Department Financial Performance
• Effectively Communicate with Both Internal & External Stakeholders

Technical Oversight & Quality Assurance

• Provide Technical Guidance, Oversight & Review of Engineering Deliverables
• Ensure QA/QC Adherence to Engineering Standards
• Maintain awareness of evolving industry standards, regulatory requirements, and emerging technologies.
• Serve as Engineer of Record (EOR) as required.
• Promote best practices in design, documentation, and project execution.

Business Development & Client Relations

• Support Business Development Efforts including:
  • Proposal Preparation
  • Client Presentations
  • Strategic Pursuits
  • Fee Development
• Build & maintain Strong Relationships with:
  • Municipal Agencies
  • Developers
  • Contractors
  • Public & Private Sector Clients
• Identify New Opportunities
• Maintain Key Client Relationships

Financial & Performance Management

• Develop and manage department budgets.
• Monitor key financial metrics including:
  • Revenue targets
  • Profitability
  • Utilization rates
  • Backlog growth
  • Participate in annual planning and forecasting.
  • Optimize project performance and department profitability.

Core Markets Supported


The Civil Engineering Department Director will support projects across:

• Commercial or Public Works Site Development
  • Retail, Mixed-use, Industrial, Multi-family Developments, Emergency Service Districts, Municipal and County Facilities, Port and Other Government-Related Facilities
• Transportation
  • Roadway Design, Traffic Improvements, Municipal Infrastructure, Public Works Projects
• Subsurface Utility Engineering (SUE)
  • Utility Coordination, Utility Mapping, Conflict Analysis, Infrastructure Planning Support
• Industrial/Energy Services
  • Horizontal Directional Drills (HDDS), Roadway and Waterway Crossing Permits
  • Coordination of Plan & Permit Submissions and Approvals with Municipalities, County, State, Federal, or MUD Agencies

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license in Texas
• Minimum 10-15 Years of Progressive Civil Engineering Experience
• Minimum 3+ Years in Leadership/Management Roles
• Demonstrated Experience In:
  • Site Development + Transportation Engineering
• Proven Success in Department or Team Leadership
• Strong Understanding of Texas Regulatory Frameworks & Municipal Standards
• Technical Capabilities:
  • Grading & Earthwork
    • Cut/Fill Volume Calculations (Using Surfaces & Cross Sections)
    • Balancing Earthwork for Cost Efficiency
    • Slope Design & ADA Compliance
    • Pad Elevations & Drainage Flow Patterns
  • Utility Design
    • Preparing Utility Exhibits
    • Water Demand Calculations (Fire Flow, Peak Demand)
    • Sanitary Sewer Design (Gravity Flow, Slope, Capacity)
    • Lift Station Sizing (If Needed)
      • Pipe Sizing Using Velocity & Flow Requirements
      • Pavement Design (Transportation & Site)
      • Flexible Pavement Design (TxDOT or AASHTO Methods)
      • Traffic Loading (ESAL calculations)
      • Subgrade Evaluation (CBR, Soil Conditions)
      • Pavement Thickness Design
  • Traffic & Transportation
    • Producing Roadway & Driveway Plan Sheets & Supporting Quantity
  • Calculations
    • Annotating Drainage Plan Sheets & Assisting with Stormwater Design, Including Hydraulic Analysis of Roadside Ditches
    • Evaluating Driveway Culvert Capacities & Clearances
    • Trip Generation & Distribution (ITE-based)
    • Turning Movement Analysis
    • Sight Distance (Stopping, Intersection)
    • Signal Warrant Analysis (for Larger Projects)
    • Construction Cost & Bid Preparation
  • Plan Production & Design
    • Full Site Layout (Grading, Drainage, Utilities, Paving)
    • Plan/Profile Sheets for Roadway & Utilities
    • Drainage Area Mapping & Exhibit Preparation
    • Erosion & Sediment Control Plans (SWPPP/SWQMP)
    • Coordination of Plan & Permit Submissions and Approvals with Municipalities, County, State, Federal, or MUD Agencies

Required Software

• AutoCAD
• Civil 3D
• Bluebeam
• Microsoft Office
• Google Earth Pro
• Adobe Acrobat

Preferred Qualifications

• Established Relationships Within the Houston Regional Engineering & Development Community
• Experience Working With:
  • Municipal Utility Districts (MUDs)
  • Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT)
  • Local Municipalities
  • Harris and/or Surrounding Counties
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
• SUE Certification or Related Utility Coordination Expertise
• Ability to Communicate, Coordinate and Direct Land Surveying Staff for Project-Specific Needs

We invite you to consider a career opportunity through Impact Recruitment. Contact us today at View email address on click.appcast.io/View phone number on click.appcast.io to learn more about our position and to see whether this is the right career fit for you!

Impact Recruitment is an equal opportunity employer. Impact Recruitment does not discriminate in recruitment, hiring, or terms or conditions of employment on the basis of race, sex, color, national origin, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, medical condition as defined under state law, or any other basis prohibited by applicable federal, state, or local law. Impact Recruitment also provides reasonable accommodations to disabled individuals to assist in the hiring process and to qualified individuals with disabilities in the performance of essential job functions, as required by federal, state, or local law.


Meet Your Recruiter

Logan Liddell
Founder

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