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Coastal Oceanography Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Coastal Engineer (PE)

Houston, TX · On-site

$96K - $130K/yr

Masters or PhD degree in Coastal, Ocean, or Civil engineering preferred * Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments * Experience with the application of artificial intelligence ...

Senior Coastal Engineer (PE)

Houston, TX · On-site

$96K - $130K/yr

Masters or PhD degree in Coastal, Ocean, or Civil engineering preferred * Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments * Experience with the application of artificial intelligence ...

Master's degree in Coastal, Ocean, or Civil engineering preferred * PMP certification Qualifications Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Engineering * 7 years related experience inclusive ...

Master's degree in Coastal, Ocean, or Civil engineering preferred * PMP certification Required Qualifications * Bachelor's degree in Engineering * 7 years related experience inclusive of a minimum 2 ...

Lead Coastal Engineer

Jupiter, FL · On-site

$100K - $132K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Ocean, or Coastal Engineering or related engineering degree from an EAC/ABET accredited program * 10+ years of coastal engineering experience in the areas of feasibility ...

Lead Coastal Engineer

Jupiter, FL · On-site

$100K - $132K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Ocean, or Coastal Engineering or related engineering degree from an EAC/ABET accredited program * 10+ years of coastal engineering experience in the areas of feasibility ...

Lead Coastal Engineer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Ocean, or Coastal Engineering or related engineering degree from an EAC/ABET accredited program * 10+ years of coastal engineering experience in the areas of feasibility ...

Lead Coastal Engineer

Jupiter, FL · On-site

$100K - $132K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Ocean, or Coastal Engineering or related engineering degree from an EAC/ABET accredited program * 10+ years of coastal engineering experience in the areas of feasibility ...

Lead Coastal Engineer

Jacksonville, FL · On-site

$95K - $125K/yr

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Ocean, or Coastal Engineering or related engineering degree from an EAC/ABET accredited program * 10+ years of coastal engineering experience in the areas of feasibility ...

Post Doc Researcher

Washington, DC · On-site

$58K - $68K/yr

S/he will work independently and collaboratively under the direction of the NCAS-M and the NOAA National Centers for Coastal Ocean Science office and will participate in research with other scholars ...

Showing results 21-40

Coastal Oceanography information

What is coastal oceanography?

Coastal oceanography is the scientific study of the physical, chemical, and biological processes that occur in the coastal zones where the land meets the ocean. This field focuses on understanding tides, waves, currents, sediment transport, and the impact of human activities on coastal environments. Coastal oceanographers work to predict changes in shoreline, monitor marine ecosystems, and help manage coastal resources. Their research is vital for protecting coastal communities from hazards like erosion, flooding, and pollution.

What are some common challenges faced by coastal oceanographers when conducting field research?

Coastal oceanographers often encounter challenges such as unpredictable weather conditions, logistical complexities in accessing remote coastal sites, and the need to coordinate with local authorities or stakeholders. Working in dynamic coastal environments requires flexibility, as tides, currents, and storm events can impact both data collection and equipment deployment. Additionally, collaborating with interdisciplinary teams—like marine biologists, geologists, and engineers—is essential to address the multifaceted nature of coastal studies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a coastal oceanographer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Coastal Oceanographer, a strong background in marine science, mathematics, and data analysis is essential, typically supported by an advanced degree in oceanography or a related field. Proficiency with oceanographic instruments, geographic information systems (GIS), and modeling software is commonly required. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving skills, and effective communication are important soft skills that enhance research and collaboration. These competencies are crucial for accurately studying coastal environments, interpreting complex data, and informing environmental management or policy decisions.

What is the difference between Coastal Oceanography vs Marine Geology?

AspectCoastal OceanographyMarine Geology
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Oceanography, Marine Science, or related fieldsBachelor's or Master's in Geology, Earth Science, or Marine Science
Work EnvironmentResearch vessels, coastal labs, field surveysSeafloor sampling, core analysis, geological surveys
Industry UsageAcademic, government agencies, environmental consultingAcademic, government, oil & gas, mineral exploration
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding coastal processes, sea level changeStudying seafloor features, sediment layers

Coastal Oceanography focuses on the physical, chemical, and biological processes in coastal waters, while Marine Geology studies the seafloor's structure and composition. Both fields often collaborate but serve different research and industry needs.

What cities are hiring for Coastal Oceanography jobs?

Cities with the most Coastal Oceanography job openings:

What states have the most Coastal Oceanography jobs?

States with the most job openings for Coastal Oceanography jobs include:

Infographic showing various Coastal Oceanography job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 85% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution.

Senior Coastal Engineer (PE)

HDR

Houston, TX • On-site

$96K - $130K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago


HDR rating

9.3

Company rating: 9.3 out of 10

Based on 60 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

26th of 451 rated engineering


Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story' 
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world. 

We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you'll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience.  We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people's lives. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy. 

HDR is seeking a Senior Coastal Engineer (PE) to join our nationally ranked team of coastal and waterfront professionals across the United States. We're looking for individuals passionate about restoring and protecting coastlines through innovative, resilient, and sustainable solutions.

About the Role

As a Senior Coastal Engineer, you'll play a key leadership role in delivering complex dredging, navigation, beach nourishment, and coastal restoration projects. You'll bring deep technical expertise and project leadership to initiatives that create lasting environmental and economic impact, while mentoring teams and collaborating across disciplines.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead analysis and design for:
    • Dredging and navigation projects
    • Coastal processes and beach nourishment design
    • Coastal restoration and resilience initiatives
  • Develop:
    • Channel layouts and alignments
    • Borrow area design and dredging production estimates
    • Placement area and beneficial use designs
  • Provide project and task management on complex assignments
  • Perform and oversee:
    • Advanced wave, sediment transport, and hydraulic and hydrologic modeling
    • Coastal project and channel development design
  • Lead preparation of:
    • Engineering plans, specifications, and design calculations
    • Technical reports, memos, and client deliverables
  • Collect, analyze, and present data to clients, stakeholders, and in public forums
  • Manage and mentor multidisciplinary teams on medium to large projects
  • Serve as Project Manager on larger efforts, as needed
  • Support business development by preparing:
    • Proposals
    • Scopes of work
    • Cost estimates

Preferred Qualifications

  • Masters or PhD degree in Coastal, Ocean, or Civil engineering preferred
  • Experience with high-performance computing (HPC) environments
  • Experience with the application of artificial intelligence software to coastal and marine modeling. 
  • Experience with wave growth and transformation, coastal and estuarine hydrodynamics, littoral processes, sediment transport, marine dredging, and basic geotechnical or structural systems
  • Experience in coastal project and channel planning design and specification development
  • Experience preparing scope, schedule and fee estimates to support proposal development
  • Experience preparing technical reports
Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or equivalent field
  • A minimum of 10 years Water Resources experience
  • Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
  • Excellent writing and communication skills
  • Ability to work independently and as part of a project team
  • An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must


 

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.


What HDR employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

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About HDR

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Omaha, NE, US

Year founded

1917