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Associate Civil Engineer Jobs in Charleston, SC (NOW HIRING)

SeamonWhiteside

Civil Designer

Mount Pleasant, SC · On-site

Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Civil Engineering from an accredited college/university Experience: 1 - 5 years' experience and Engineering in Training (EIT) preferred Key Responsibilities

ESP Associates

Survey CAD Technician

Charleston, SC · On-site

Associate degree or higher in surveying technology/geomatics, civil engineering, or related field and/or registration as a SIT preferred, but not required. * 5+ years' experience in land surveying ...

Raycap Inc

Mechanical Engineer/Designer

North Charleston, SC · On-site

$67K - $90K/yr

Associate Degree in Engineering Design or similar field of study * Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or civil engineering (structural focus) is preferred * 2 to 5 years of experience in ...

RS&H

Traffic Engineer III

North Charleston, SC · Hybrid

$83K - $113K/yr

ABET accredited bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Transportation Engineering, Electrical ... and valuing associates. Employee-owned, RS&H is one of the nation's leading architecture ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsAssociate Civil Engineer JobsAssociate Civil Engineer Jobs in Charleston, SC

Associate Civil Engineer information

See Charleston, SC salary details

$49.1K

$95.4K

$146.9K

How much do associate civil engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate civil engineer in Charleston, SC is $95,377.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $113,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate civil engineer?

Associate Civil Engineers are professionals who assist in the planning, design, and oversight of construction and infrastructure projects such as roads, bridges, and water systems. They typically work under the supervision of senior engineers and are responsible for preparing reports, analyzing project data, and ensuring that engineering standards and safety regulations are met. This role is often considered an intermediate position, requiring a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and, in some cases, an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification. Associate Civil Engineers play a key role in the successful completion of projects by coordinating with contractors, government agencies, and other stakeholders.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate civil engineer?

To thrive as an Associate Civil Engineer, you need a solid background in civil engineering principles, a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering, and an Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or equivalent. Familiarity with design software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and project management systems is typically required. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, teamwork, and effective communication are vital soft skills in this role. These capabilities ensure high-quality engineering solutions, efficient project delivery, and productive collaboration with clients and multidisciplinary teams.

What are some common challenges faced by associate civil engineers early in their careers?

Early-career Associate Civil Engineers often encounter the challenge of balancing technical tasks with project coordination responsibilities. They may need to quickly adapt to working on multiple projects simultaneously, managing deadlines, and communicating effectively with both senior engineers and construction teams. Navigating regulatory requirements and ensuring design compliance can also be demanding. However, these challenges provide valuable learning opportunities and help build a strong foundation for future advancement within the civil engineering field.

What is the difference between Associate Civil Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectAssociate Civil EngineerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in civil engineering or related field; some roles may require engineering internship experienceBachelor's degree in civil engineering; often requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam
Work EnvironmentEntry-level position, often assisting senior engineers on projects, working in offices or construction sitesDesign, planning, and oversight of civil projects; work in offices, field sites, or both
Employer & Industry UsageUsed by engineering firms, government agencies, and construction companies for entry-level rolesCommonly used across engineering firms, government departments, and infrastructure projects

The main difference between an Associate Civil Engineer and a Civil Engineer lies in experience and responsibilities. An Associate Civil Engineer is typically an entry-level role focusing on assisting with project tasks, while a Civil Engineer has more experience and may lead projects or design work. Both roles require similar educational backgrounds and certifications, but Civil Engineers usually have greater responsibilities and independence in their work.

What are the most commonly searched types of Civil Engineer jobs in Charleston, SC?

The most popular types of Civil Engineer jobs in Charleston, SC are:

What cities near Charleston, SC are hiring for Associate Civil Engineer jobs?

Cities near Charleston, SC with the most Associate Civil Engineer job openings:

Associate Civil Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Civil Engineer job openings in Charleston, SC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 66% Full Time, 30% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $93,582 per year, or $45 per hour.

Civil Engineering Project Manager - Land Development

ESP Associates

Charleston, SC • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 26 days ago

Job description

ESP Associates is seeking a Project Manager with experience in civil engineering land development, infrastructure design, and construction document preparation for roads, storm drainage systems, storm water management facilities, utilities-water and sewer, sediment and erosion control.

This position includes design and project management responsibilities within a team atmosphere in the Charleston, SC office. This is an excellent opportunity for you to continue enhancing your career with a dynamic Engineering, Surveying and Planning firm!


Responsibilities:

  • Develop strong relationships with team members.
  • Provide training/mentoring for junior members of the team.
  • Provide feedback to the Team Lead in support of engineering proposals.
  • Provide feedback to the Team Lead in support of monthly invoicing for managed projects.
  • Provide feedback to the Team Lead regarding project and staff schedules.
  • Perform work with a dedicated team through civil site/land development design, permitting, and construction observation on a variety of residential, commercial, institutional, and municipal projects.
  • Perform design of land development projects within Autodesk AutoCAD Civil 3D software.
  • Perform and prepare technical design calculations associated with land development projects (i.e., storm drainage hydraulic sizing and system modeling, water distribution modeling, storm water control measures (SCMs), sanitary sewer collection systems, sanitary sewer pump stations and force main, erosion control measures, etc.).
  • Perform technical review of drawings, specifications, calculations, shop drawings, and other engineering documents for conformance with project goals and requirements.
  • Perform preliminary engineering evaluations, including quantity take-offs and opinions of probable construction cost.
  • Perform site visits and prepare associated field reports.


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering
  • EI/EIT Certification
  • 5+ years of qualifying civil engineering design and project management experience.
  • PE Licensure, actively pursuing, or ability to obtain licensure in South Carolina preferred.
  • Advanced design skills in software programs such as Civil 3D (emphasis on knowing corridors, grading objects, storm sewers), ICPR (preferred not required), SedCAD (preferred not required), Hydraflow Hydrographs, Hydraflow Storm Sewers, HydroCAD, and WaterCAD.
  • Possess a strong desire to continue learning, advance professionally, and demonstrate ability to work in a fast-paced, design team environment.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to work closely with other team members and interact with clients and local review agencies.
  • Candidate must be able to pass a drug screen, background check, and have a satisfactory driving record in accordance with the company’s driving (MVR) policy.

Corporate Information:

ESP is a multi-discipline engineering design and consulting firm providing our clients with civil engineering, surveying, planning/landscape architecture, geosciences, environmental, subsurface utility engineering, and construction engineering inspection.

Through years of dedicated service to our clients, ESP has received a designation of 186 on the 2026 ENR Top 500 Design Firm rankings. For the firm's primary territory, the ENR Texas & Southeast Top Design Firms, ESP received a 2026 ranking of 53.


ESP offers an excellent employee benefits package including:

  • Competitive compensation with yearly performance reviews and discretionary annual bonuses
  • 401(k) (Traditional & Roth plans) with a guaranteed employer match of 100% up to the first 3% and 50% on the next 2% (eligibility after 60 days)
  • PTO (Paid Time Off) & 10 Paid Holidays
  • VTO (Volunteer Time Off) of 4 hours each year (prorated during first year based on hire date)
  • Tiered Health, Vision & Dental Insurance Options (eligibility after 30 days)
  • Behavioral Medicine through Teladoc
  • Short-Term Disability Insurance (Employer paid)
  • Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Life Insurance
  • Pet Insurance
  • Education Reimbursement Opportunities
  • Flexible and Dependent Benefits Plan
  • Referral Bonuses