1

Director Coastal Engineering Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Coastal Engineer

Orlando, FL · Hybrid

$97K - $134K/yr

Project management and/or senior technical oversight of planning, engineering, design, and ... Experience at recruiting, managing, directing and mentoring a team of professional coastal design ...

Senior Coastal Engineer

Jacksonville, FL · Hybrid

$96K - $133K/yr

Project management and/or senior technical oversight of planning, engineering, design, and ... Experience at recruiting, managing, directing and mentoring a team of professional coastal design ...

Senior Coastal Engineer

Tampa, FL · Hybrid

$98K - $135K/yr

Project management and/or senior technical oversight of planning, engineering, design, and ... Experience at recruiting, managing, directing and mentoring a team of professional coastal design ...

Senior Coastal Engineer

New Orleans, LA · Hybrid

$100K - $137K/yr

Project management and/or senior technical oversight of planning, engineering, design, and ... Experience at recruiting, managing, directing and mentoring a team of professional coastal design ...

Senior Coastal Engineer

Pearland, TX · Hybrid

$93K - $127K/yr

Project management and/or senior technical oversight of planning, engineering, design, and ... Experience at recruiting, managing, directing and mentoring a team of professional coastal design ...

Senior Coastal Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$98K - $135K/yr

Project management and/or senior technical oversight of planning, engineering, design, and ... Experience at recruiting, managing, directing and mentoring a team of professional coastal design ...

Senior Coastal Engineer

Corpus Christi, TX · Hybrid

$100K - $138K/yr

Project management and/or senior technical oversight of planning, engineering, design, and ... Experience at recruiting, managing, directing and mentoring a team of professional coastal design ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Director Coastal Engineering information

See salary details

$73K

$194.7K

$254K

How much do director coastal engineering jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 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 are the main challenges a Director of 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 does a Director of 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 of Coastal Engineering, and why are they important?

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 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.

More about Director Coastal Engineering jobs
What cities are hiring for Director Coastal Engineering jobs? Cities with the most Director Coastal Engineering job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Coastal Engineering jobs? The most popular types of Coastal Engineering jobs are:
What states have the most Director Coastal Engineering jobs? States with the most job openings for Director Coastal Engineering jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Director Coastal Engineering jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Director Coastal Engineering jobs are:
Senior Coastal Engineer

Senior Coastal Engineer

Freese Nichols

Orlando, FL • Hybrid

$97K - $134K/yr

Other

Posted 2 days ago


Job description

Freese & Nichols, Inc. (FNI) is currently seeking to add a Senior Coastal Engineer for our offices located along the U.S. Gulf or Atlantic Coasts. Preferred candidates should have knowledge related to coastal restoration, beach nourishment, shoreline protection, dredging, coastal structures, coastal hazard analyses, hydrodynamic modeling and coastal process analyses. Roles and responsibilities of this position include:

  • Project management and/or senior technical oversight of planning, engineering, design, and construction-phase services for coastal and/or navigation multi-disciplinary projects
  • Leading coastal and/or navigation project delivery decisions regarding technical approaches, cost estimating, project scheduling, project resourcing, safety, and subcontractor coordination and management.
  • Team management, mentoring, and professional development of coastal engineering technical staff.
  • Marketing of FNI's coastal and navigation services to include meeting with current/prospective clients and leading proposals and statement of qualification development.
  • Contribution to strategic initiatives to expand FNI's service offering geographically and technically to a wide variety of client types including federal and state agencies, local government clients, ports, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), and other types of private sector clients.
Qualifications

Required or Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

  • Professional Engineer license required in one or more states located along the Gulf of Mexico or Atlantic coast.
  • Master's or higher degree in Coastal, Ocean, or related Engineering preferred.
  • Minimum of 10 years of experience in engineering, design.
  • Working knowledge of numerical modeling of coastal storm risk management projects and navigation and dredging projects preferred.
  • Project Management Professional certification preferred.
  • Experience in delivering projects for and working with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers required. Experience working with additional Federal agencies preferred.
  • Project management skills with experience in managing project delivery teams and coordinating with clients and regulatory agencies required.
  • Intimate understanding of coastal engineering and science principles required; and/or, dredge engineering and science principles.
  • Knowledge of wind-wave-water levels, coastal sediment processes, coastal morphology, storm-induced erosion analyses required, and dredging and dredged material conveyance and management preferred.
  • Understanding of mare vessel maneuvering and environmental forces characteristics preferred.
  • Experience with contributing to and/or leading strategic initiatives to develop and expand business opportunities with new clients and new geographic locations.
  • Experience at recruiting, managing, directing and mentoring a team of professional coastal design staff.
  • Ability to oversee the preparation of construction plans and other graphics using CAD and ArcGIS.
  • Must have experience with technical writing and professional writing, and the ability to deliver presentations at public and client meetings.
About Freese and Nichols

At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always). Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values.

We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service. For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need: developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more.

Besides our comprehensive benefits package (see more at https://www.freese.com/services/benefits-that-work/), we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico. We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work, and an alternative work schedule program which provides a day off every other Friday.

Join our team of 1,300+ employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado. Learn more about working here at https://www.freese.com/careers/.

Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.

#LI-Hybrid