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Director Coastal Engineering information

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$73K

$194.7K

$254K

How much do director coastal engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for director coastal engineering in the United States is $194,709.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $141,500.00 and $253,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a director coastal engineering do?

A Director of Coastal Engineering oversees the planning, design, and management of projects related to coastal areas, such as shoreline protection, harbor development, and erosion control. They lead teams of engineers and scientists, coordinate with stakeholders, and ensure projects comply with environmental regulations. Their responsibilities often include budgeting, project management, and providing technical expertise to solve complex coastal challenges. They play a critical role in protecting coastal communities and infrastructure from natural hazards like storms and sea level rise.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a director coastal engineering?

To thrive as a Director of Coastal Engineering, you need advanced expertise in coastal processes, project management, and civil or environmental engineering, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with modeling software (such as HEC-RAS, Delft3D), GIS tools, and regulatory compliance systems is essential. Strong leadership, strategic thinking, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for managing multidisciplinary teams and stakeholder relationships. These skills are vital for leading successful coastal projects, ensuring regulatory compliance, and mitigating environmental risks.

What are the main challenges a director coastal engineering typically faces when leading large-scale projects?

A Director of Coastal Engineering often manages complex projects that involve balancing environmental regulations, stakeholder interests, and technical feasibility. One major challenge is ensuring designs are resilient to climate change impacts, such as sea-level rise and increased storm frequency. Coordinating multidisciplinary teams—including environmental scientists, engineers, and government agencies—while maintaining project timelines and budgets is also a critical responsibility. Successful directors proactively address these challenges by fostering open communication, staying informed on regulatory updates, and implementing adaptive project management strategies.

What is the difference between Director Coastal Engineering vs Coastal Engineer?

AspectDirector Coastal EngineeringCoastal Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Civil/Environmental Engineering, Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Civil/Environmental Engineering, PE license advantageous
Work EnvironmentLeadership role overseeing projects, teams, and strategic planningDesign, analysis, and implementation of coastal projects, site assessments
Employer & Industry UsageConsulting firms, government agencies, large engineering firmsEngineering firms, government agencies, research institutions

The main difference is that the Director Coastal Engineering holds a leadership position responsible for managing teams and strategic planning, while the Coastal Engineer focuses on technical design and project execution. Both roles require similar credentials but differ in scope and responsibilities.

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Director Coastal Engineering jobs near you
Infographic showing various Director Coastal Engineering job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $194,709 per year, or $93.6 per hour.

Senior Coastal Engineer

West Palm Beach, FL

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.
Environmental Quality Programs Administration • 1 - 5K employees
Learn more about Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.external

$101K - $138K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago

Job description

Overview

Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better? 

Applied Technology and Management (ATM), a Geosyntec Company, has an exciting opportunity for a Senior Coastal Engineer to help lead, manage, and grow our coastal engineering practice on the Atlantic Seaboard. The ideal candidate should have experience developing complex and innovative coastal engineering solutions. The position will be based out of our West Palm Beach, Florida office, with flexibility to sit out of other Florida offices, including Boca Raton, Orlando, Cape Canaveral, Clearwater, and Tampa Bay.

Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.

We invest in our people.  Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too.  We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.

To Learn More Visit: http://www.geosyntec.com/careers/.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Develop business and manage clients and projects in coastal projects including beach nourishment, shoreline stabilization, dredging, environmental restoration and mitigation, etc.
  • Task and project management, including coastal engineering investigations and planning work, budgeting and budget management, adherence to schedule, quality, client satisfaction, and profitability;
  • Plan, schedule, conduct or coordinate detailed phases of the coastal engineering work in marine related projects;
  • Management and mentoring of junior staff and managing subcontractors;
  • Work plan development, data evaluation, and report writing;
  • Reviewing and managing written document production; and
  • Preparing for and participating in meetings with clients, regulatory personnel, and other parties.
  • Training: This position requires OSHA health and safety, boater certification, defensive driving certification, first aid, and CPR training and medical monitoring, paid for by the firm. We also offer professional development opportunities including in-house seminars, webinars, and mentoring, that allow our professionals to build the technical and business skills necessary to become successful consultants.
  • Fieldwork: Up to 20%
  • Overnight travel: Up to 20%
Education and Licensure
  • Bachelor's degree in coastal, environmental, or civil engineering, with emphasis on coastal or water resources. (required)
  • Advanced degree in coastal engineering or closely related field. (preferred)
  • Professional Engineer license. (required) 
Skills, Experience and Qualifications
  • At least 8 (10+ preferred) years of direct engineering consulting experience working on coastal and waterfront projects or equivalent combination of education and experience. (required) 
  • Experience with multi-disciplinary project teams. (required)
  • Proven leadership and detail-orientation skills. (required)
  • Demonstrated business development and project management experience. (required)
  • Experience in relevant coastal engineering software. (e.g., Waves, Littoral Transport, Sedimentation, etc.). (preferred)
  • Valid U.S. driver's license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required) 
Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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