Senior Civil Engineer

Salary: Depends on Qualifications
Location : Houston, TX
Job Type: Regular Full-time
Job Number: 17194
Department: Engineering Department
Opening Date: 10/13/2026
Closing Date: 10/27/2026 11:59 PM Central


Position Description
Position Overview:

The Senior Civil Engineer is responsible for leading the planning, analysis, design, and production of complex civil engineering projects for the Office of the County Engineer's (OCE) in-house design program. This position applies advanced engineering judgment and technical expertise to deliver safe, accurate, cost-effective, constructible, and code-compliant infrastructure solutions.

With minimal supervision, the Senior Civil Engineer leads and performs civil design activities related to roadway and site development, grading, hydrology and hydraulics (H&H), stormwater management, drainage systems, utilities, and other public infrastructure improvements. Responsibilities include hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, drainage and stormwater calculations, storm sewer and culvert design, detention and conveyance analysis, grading and earthwork design, erosion and sediment control, and preparation of plans, specifications, estimates, and technical reports.

The position coordinates closely with project managers, engineers, surveyors, environmental professionals, other County departments, Precincts, consultants, regulatory agencies, and external stakeholders. Designs must comply with applicable OCE, Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD), TxDOT, local Authority Having Jurisdiction (AHJ), environmental, and other applicable local, state, and federal requirements.


The Senior Civil Engineer is accountable for the technical quality and timely completion of assigned engineering tasks within established project scope, budget, and schedule


Job Duties:

The Senior Civil Engineer's responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Lead and perform planning, analysis, and detailed civil engineering design for drainage, stormwater, roadway, utility, site development, and other public infrastructure projects.
• Perform hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and modeling for storm sewer systems, culverts, channels, detention facilities, outfalls, and other drainage infrastructure.
• Develop construction plans, profiles, cross-sections, grading plans, drainage plans, details, 3D models, and other technical documents using appropriate CAD and civil engineering software.
• Prepare and review engineering calculations, drainage and H&H reports, design reports, technical memoranda, quantity estimates, cost estimates, specifications, and supporting documentation for project development, permitting, and construction.
• Perform grading design, cut-and-fill analysis, earthwork calculations and balancing, erosion and sediment control design, and stormwater pollution prevention planning as applicable.
• Review and interpret survey data, utility information, record drawings, geotechnical reports, drainage studies, environmental information, and other technical inputs required for design development.
• Review and check engineering designs, calculations, plans, and technical documents prepared by junior engineers, designers, consultants, and CAD technicians for accuracy, consistency, constructability, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary design activities with project managers, surveyors, structural engineers, architects, geotechnical engineers, environmental staff, utility coordinators, consultants, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct and document field investigations and site visits to verify existing conditions, identify project constraints, evaluate drainage and infrastructure concerns, and support engineering recommendations.
• Prepare and support development of project specifications, bid documents, engineer's estimates, and other procurement and construction documents for capital improvement projects.
• Provide engineering support during construction, including review and response to Requests for Information (RFIs), submittals, design clarifications, field conditions, proposed design changes, and other construction-related issues.
• Ensure engineering work complies with applicable OCE and Harris County criteria, HCFCD requirements, TxDOT standards, local AHJ requirements, and applicable state and federal regulations and engineering practices.
• Serve as an internal OCE Subject Matter Expert (SME) for hydrology, hydraulics, drainage, and stormwater infrastructure and provide technical guidance in resolving drainage-related issues raised by OCE clients, including Harris County Precincts and other departments.
• Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and guidance to junior engineers, designers, CAD technicians, and other technical staff.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, technical approaches, resource requirements, and level-of-effort estimates for assigned projects and engineering tasks.
• Prepare and present project updates, engineering analyses, recommendations, and technical findings to management, project teams, County departments, Precinct representatives, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Maintain proficiency in applicable engineering software, design standards, regulations, and emerging technologies and identify opportunities to improve design quality and efficiency.
• Support disaster response, emergency operations, and post-event infrastructure assessments as needed, including drainage, outfall, roadway, and other infrastructure-related incidents.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Harris County is an Equal Opportunity Employer


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This position is subject to a criminal history check. Only relevant convictions will be considered and, even when considered, may not automatically disqualify the candidate.

Requirements
Education:

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, majoring in hydraulics and hydrology, or a related field.

Licensure :

• Professional Engineer in the State of Texas.
• Valid Texas Driver's License upon hire.

Experience:

• Seven (7) years of progressive civil engineering experience in the related fields.
• Demonstrated experience leading design tasks, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, and performing advanced engineering calculations.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs)

• Exceptional personal organizational skills, ability to identify and prioritize assigned tasks independently with minimal oversight.
• In-depth knowledge in the application of various hydraulic and hydrological design methods, including the use of relevant design software (i.e., SWMM, HY-8, etc.).
• Ability to exercise flexibility in accommodating shifting priorities, demands, and schedules.
• Valid Texas Driver's License upon hire.
• Ability to drive a county vehicle to various job sites as needed to accomplish tasks and projects.

Emergency Deployment & Continuity of Operations Requirement:

In accordance with Harris County's Continuity of Operations Plan (COOP) Policy, this position is subject to emergency response and deployment protocols. The employee may be designated as supporting a Mission Essential Function (MEF) and must:

• Participate in the classification of departmental staff based on MEF responsibilities.
• Be available for temporary deployment to an alternative work location, role, or telework assignment during emergencies.
• Confirm work assignments with their supervisor before reporting to any worksite during such events.
• Remain flexible in assuming alternative duties as directed to support continuity of County operations.

NOTE : Qualifying education, experience, knowledge and skills must be documented on your job application. You may attach a resume to the application as supporting documentation but ONLY information stated on the application will be used for consideration. "See Resume" will not be accepted for qualifications.
Preferences
Education:

• Master's Degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.

Experience:

Ten (10) years of progressive civil engineering experience in related fields.

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities (KSAs):

General Information
Position Type and Typical Hours of Work:

Full-Time | Regular | 40 hours per week.

Subject to early mornings, late evenings, weekends, and holidays at times, depending upon the project or workload.

Salary : Commensurate experience, based on 26 pay periods.

Physical Demands and Environmental Exposure :

Most assignments will be performed in an office, meeting, or operations command center environment, though some fieldwork may be required. This position is subject to both indoor and outdoor environmental conditions and may involve exposure to hazards, including moving vehicles, mechanical parts, heat, and chemicals. Extended work hours may be required during the activation of disaster recovery operations for an unspecified duration (varies based on the extent of the event).

This position requires bending, stooping, and lifting up to 50 lbs., as well as frequent walking, standing, sitting, reaching, and ascending/descending stairs. The physical demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this job successfully.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Interview/Assessment:

• This position may have an assessment as part of the interview process.

FEATURED BENEFITS :

Medical, vision, and dental insurance.

Wellness.

Professional development opportunities.

Flexible spending accounts.

457 deferred compensation plans.

Retirement pension (TCDRS).

Transportation assistance (Metro Ride Sponsor Program).

Disability and life insurance.

Harris County is a Qualified Employer for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program (PSLF).
Employment may be contingent on passing a drug screen and meeting other standards.

Due to a high volume of applications positions may close prior to the advertised closing date or at the discretion of the Hiring Department.

HARRIS COUNTY EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

Harris County offers a highly competitive benefits program, featuring a comprehensive group health plan and defined benefit retirement plan.
The following benefits are offered only to Harris County employees in regular (full-time) positions:
Health & Wellness Benefits

• Medical Coverage
• Dental Coverage
• Vision Coverage
• Wellness Plan
• Life Insurance
• Long-Term Disability (LTD) Insurance
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Healthcare Flexible Spending Account
• Dependent Care Flexible Spending Account

Paid Time Off (PTO)

• Ten (10) days of vacation leave per year (accrual rate increases after 5 years of service)
• Eleven (11) County-observed holidays
• One (1) floating holiday per year
• Paid Parental Leave*
• Sick Leave

Retirement Savings Benefit

• 457 Deferred Compensation Plan

The following benefits are available to Harris County employees in full-time and select part-time positions:

• Professional learning & development opportunities
• Retirement pension (TCDRS defined benefit plan)
• Flexible work schedule*
• METRO RideSponsor Program*

* Participation may vary by County department. The employee benefits plans of Harris County are extended to all eligible participants across various departments with the exception of the Harris County Community Supervision and Corrections Department, for which the cited Health & Wellness Benefits are administered through the State of Texas.
In accordance with the Harris County Personnel Regulations, group health and related benefits are subject to amendment or discontinuance at any time. Harris County Commissioners Court reserves the right to make benefit modifications on the County's behalf as needed.
For plan details, visit the Harris County Benefits & Wellness website:
01


Which of the following best describes your highest level of education completed as it relates to this position?

• High School Diploma or GED
• Associate Degree
• Bachelor's Degree
• Master's Degree or higher
• None of the above

02


If you hold a degree, is your degree in Civil Engineering with a focus on Hydraulics and Hydrology, or a related field?

• Yes
• No
• N/A - I do not hold a degree

03


If you selected "Yes" to the above question and your degree is in a related field, please list the field of study below.
04


Do you currently hold an active Professional Engineer (PE) license?

• Yes - State of Texas
• Yes - Another U.S. state
• No

05


This position requires a valid Texas Driver's License. Do you currently possess a valid Texas Driver's License?

• Yes, I currently hold a valid Texas Driver's License.
• No, I possess a valid out-of-state Driver's License, but I understand that I must obtain a valid Texas Driver's License before my start date.
• No, I do not currently possess a valid Driver's License.

06


How many years of progressively responsible civil engineering experience do you have in related fields?

• 1 - 3 Years
• 4 - 6 Years
• 7 - 9 Years
• 10+ Years

07


How many plan sets have you signed and sealed over the last 2 years?
08


How many internal design staff have you managed simultaneously?
09


How many consultant teams have you managed simultaneously?
10


How many clients have you had simultaneously and communicated with directly on a regular basis?
11


Are you proficient in multitasking and switching priorities as needed?

• Yes
• No

12


Do you have detailed knowledge of HC, HCFCD, COH, or TXDOT standards and specifications?

• Yes
• No

13


This position requires in-office work a minimum of 40 hours per week; is this feasible for you?

• Yes
• No

Required Question