Lead Waterfront Engineer

Foth is a 100% member-owned science and engineering consulting firm headquartered in Wisconsin, with over 85 years of success. Our 750 members across 33 locations are dedicated to solving our clients’ toughest science and engineering challenges . Consistently ranked by Engineering News Record in the top 150 firms, we offer a values-based, collaborative, and flexible work environment with professional growth opportunities. If you thrive working alongside a smart and caring team, Foth may be the place for you. Join our team and experience the Foth difference that contributes to our impressive 92+% member retention rate ! Learn more at foth.com/careers.

Foth is seeking a Lead Waterfront Engineer to help strengthen and grow our Ports, Harbors, and Waterfront practice in Detroit, Michigan . This is a unique opportunity for an engineer who enjoys both the technical and relationship sides of consulting. You’ll work directly with clients, contribute to significant waterfront and Great Lakes infrastructure projects, and help shape Foth’s growing presence in Michigan. Rather than stepping into a narrowly defined role, you’ll have the flexibility to build on your strengths, expand your experience, and play an important part in growing our work and team in the region.

In this role, you will serve as a local connection between our clients and Foth’s broader multidisciplinary waterfront team, contributing to engineering and project delivery while building strong, trusted client relationships. You’ll have opportunities to work on projects involving ports, terminals, marine facilities, shoreline infrastructure, and other waterfront assets in Michigan, throughout the Great Lakes, and across the country.

Primary Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong client relationships in Detroit and throughout the Great Lakes region, serving as a visible and trusted local representative.
• Contribute to the planning, design, analysis, and delivery of waterfront, marine, port, and coastal infrastructure projects.
• Partner with clients to understand their needs and connect them with the appropriate technical resources and expertise across Foth.
• Support project management activities, including scope, schedule, budget, coordination, and overall project delivery.
• Develop and review engineering deliverables, including plans, specifications, technical reports, and calculations appropriate to your area of expertise.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across coastal, structural, civil, geotechnical, environmental, and construction disciplines.
• Support construction-phase activities such as submittal and RFI reviews, field observations, inspections, and project coordination.
• Identify opportunities to expand client relationships and contribute to proposals, pursuits, and business development efforts.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, Ocean, Environmental, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• 10+ years of relevant engineering experience, ideally involving waterfront, marine, civil infrastructure, industrial, transportation, or related projects.
• Experience contributing to engineering design, project delivery, and/or construction-related activities.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively with clients, project teams, and other stakeholders.
• Interest and ability to develop client relationships and represent Foth in a client-facing capacity.
• Ability to work collaboratively across disciplines and offices.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or interest/ability to pursue licensure.
• Experience with waterfront, port, harbor, marine, coastal, or Great Lakes infrastructure.
• Experience in project or task management.
• Familiarity with the Michigan/Great Lakes engineering or infrastructure market.
• Experience developing proposals, supporting business development, or cultivating client relationships.
• Existing relationships with public agencies, port authorities, industrial clients, terminal operators, or other waterfront stakeholders.

Colorado Residents

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Notice to Third Party Recruiters/Agencies

Foth does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting firms. Absent a signed recruiting agreement coordinated through Foth, Foth reserves the right to pursue and hire candidates without financial obligation to third party recruiters or agencies.

All Foth Companies are equal opportunity employers, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by law. Qualified women, minorities, persons with disabilities, and veterans are encouraged to apply. All locations are tobacco-free.Subject to applicable state law, all applicants who have received a written offer of employment and a copy of Foth’s Drug and Alcohol-Free Workplace Program Policy, will be required to undergo testing for commonly abused controlled substances. Applicants must complete the required drug testing within two business days of offer acceptance. Foth will pay for all drug testing, which will be conducted by a licensed independent medical laboratory that follows testing requirements in accordance with applicable state law.