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Civil Engineer Land Development Jobs in Virginia

The ideal candidate will have at least 6 years of experience in civil engineering, with a strong background in land development and water resources design, including stormwater management, site ...

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Civil Engineer Land Development information

See Virginia salary details

$42.6K

$97.7K

$141.8K

How much do civil engineer land development jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 16, 2026, the average yearly pay for civil engineer land development in Virginia is $97,732.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $78,300.00 and $112,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a Civil Engineer in Land Development do?

A Civil Engineer in Land Development is responsible for planning, designing, and managing the construction of infrastructure and site improvements for residential, commercial, and industrial projects. Their work includes preparing site plans, grading, drainage, roadways, and utility layouts while ensuring compliance with local regulations and environmental standards. They often collaborate with architects, surveyors, and local agencies to obtain necessary permits and approvals. The role requires strong technical, analytical, and communication skills to successfully guide a project from concept through construction.

What are some typical challenges faced by Civil Engineers in land development projects?

Civil Engineers working in land development often encounter challenges such as balancing project budgets with client expectations, navigating complex permitting processes, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders including architects, surveyors, and local government agencies. Managing tight project timelines while ensuring compliance with environmental and zoning regulations is also a common hurdle. Success in this role often comes from strong project management skills, effective communication, and adaptability to changing project requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Civil Engineer in Land Development, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Civil Engineer in Land Development, you need a solid background in civil engineering principles, site design, grading, and stormwater management, typically supported by a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and EIT or PE certification. Proficiency in technical tools like AutoCAD Civil 3D, GIS software, and hydrology modeling systems is essential. Strong project management, problem-solving, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively with clients, agencies, and multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant development projects from concept through construction.

What Does a Land Development Civil Engineer Do?

A land development civil engineer helps plan residential, commercial, industrial, or mixed-use developments. In this role, you determine the feasibility of a development project and assess the land to ensure that it can support the planned development. Once the possibility is established, you design the infrastructure, including streets, utilities, waste management, drainage, and other systems by creating drawings or using modeling software to visualize your plans. You also coordinate with other architects and engineers involved in the project. A civil engineer must ensure that infrastructure plans meet zoning requirements and do not conflict with other municipal regulations.

What is the difference between Civil Engineer Land Development vs Civil Engineer Transportation?

AspectCivil Engineer Land DevelopmentCivil Engineer Transportation
CredentialsBS in Civil Engineering, PE license often requiredBS in Civil Engineering, PE license often required
Work EnvironmentDesigning and planning land projects, working with developersDesigning transportation systems, working with public agencies
Industry UsageReal estate development, municipal planningPublic transit, highway agencies, urban planning

Both roles require similar credentials and licenses, but Civil Engineer Land Development focuses on site planning and land use, while Civil Engineer Transportation specializes in transportation infrastructure. Their work environments and industry applications differ, aligning with their specific project types.

What are popular job titles related to Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in Virginia? For Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Civil Engineer Land Development jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Civil Engineer Land Development job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in VA? For Civil Engineer Land Development jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Civil Engineer Land Development job openings in Virginia as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 60% Full Time, and 40% Part Time. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $97,732 per year, or $47 per hour.
Project Civil Engineer (Land Development)

Project Civil Engineer (Land Development)

Pennoni

Virginia Beach, VA • On-site

$75K - $100K/yr

Full-time

Posted 13 days ago


Pennoni rating

9.1

Company rating: 9.1 out of 10

Based on 12 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

20th of 352 rated engineering


Job description

Project Engineer - Job Description

Pennoni is hiring for aProject Engineerto join our team and contribute to multi-discipline design projects on a full-time, direct basis at our office in the Hampton Roads, VA area. This person will have the opportunity to work on a variety of private site development and/or municipal projects across various markets!

Primary Responsibilities:

  • Contribute to multiple projects and tasks; this includes monitoring schedules & budgets to ensure effective completion of projects accordingly.
  • Meet regularly with clients.
  • Prepare proposals for new & existing clients (including estimation of project fees).
  • Oversee the development of Land Development Plans; this includes the preparation of engineering design drawings, technical specification, and engineering reports (from schematic design through construction).
  • Coordinate permits through regulatory agencies for large-scale, complex projects.
  • Delegate workload to Junior Engineers & Drafters; this includes mentoring / guiding Junior Engineers to develop Stormwater Management [SWM] strategies, Utility Coordination, and Erosion & Sediment Control [E&SC] Design.
  • Additional tasks may be assigned, as needed.

Basic Requirements:

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (or a related discipline).
  • 5+ years of professional experience working in Engineering (preferably with Land Development design projects).
  • Proven ability to demonstrate problem-solving skills, especially when working on a variety of projects while providing solutions to difficult issues.
  • Excellent communication skills (verbal & written).

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Additional relevant certification (e.g.: Certified Municipal Engineer / CME, Certified Floodplain Manager / CFM, Professional Planner / PP, etc.) is a plus!
  • Management and/or Project Management experience; proven ability to manage multi-discipline projects is preferred.
  • Advanced proficiency with site design functions: site layout, grading, utility design, stormwater management, erosion control, municipal & land-use regulatory approvals, etc.
  • Experience working with stormwater management, especially while utilizing Hydrology and Hydraulics (H&H) modeling tools.
  • Proficiency with engineering tools (e.g.: CADD, project management software, etc.); experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D is a plus!
  • Proficiency on standard office software applications: Microsoft Office 365 (especially Word, Excel, and Outlook), Adobe Acrobat, etc.; experience working with Bluebeam Revu is a plus!
  • Proven ability to look at the "Big Picture" as well the project goals to coordinate various design disciplines accordingly.

Why Pennoni?

At Pennoni, we're not just another multi-disciplinary engineering firm; we're a vibrant team of innovators shaping the future! Founded more than five decades ago, Pennoni is an ENR Top 500 consulting engineering firm where individuality sparks innovation and growth. We're all about helping you build your career while fostering a great workplace culture - here, you'll work with supportive, talented teammates and find pride in your contributions. Join us to be part of a team that values your unique skills and drives excellence in every project!

Equal Opportunity Employer / Veterans / Disabled


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About Pennoni

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

501 - 1,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Philadelphia, PA, US

Year founded

1966