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Entry Level Drainage Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Integrity Technical Services

Civil Engineer

Mansfield, OH · On-site

$65K - $75K/yr

... Entry Level / New Graduate Civil Engineer who wishes to start their career working on highway, land development & drainage design projects. Required Qualifications Bachelor's Degree in Civil ...

Trilon Group

Water Resources Engineer

Cary, IL · On-site

$80K - $109K/yr

Our Cary office is looking for an entry level Hydraulic Engineer. The Hydraulic/Stormwater Design ... Assignments may include a diverse variety of drainage-related tasks such as stormwater management ...

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Entry Level Drainage Engineer information

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$52.5K

$96.9K

$130K

How much do entry level drainage engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level drainage engineer in the United States is $96,894.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $84,500.00 and $110,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Drainage Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Drainage Engineer, you need a solid understanding of civil engineering principles, hydrology, and environmental regulations, typically backed by a bachelor's degree in civil or environmental engineering. Familiarity with technical tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, and drainage modeling software like HEC-RAS or SWMM is often required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills set candidates apart in this role. These skills and qualities are crucial for designing safe, efficient drainage systems and collaborating successfully with multidisciplinary teams.

What is the difference between Entry Level Drainage Engineer vs Junior Civil Engineer?

AspectEntry Level Drainage EngineerJunior Civil Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Civil or Environmental Engineering, possibly some internship experienceBachelor's in Civil Engineering, internship experience often preferred
Work EnvironmentDesigning drainage systems, site assessments, field inspectionsAssisting in various civil projects, site planning, and design tasks
Industry UsageSpecialized in drainage and stormwater management within civil engineering firmsBroader civil engineering roles across multiple project types

Both roles typically require a bachelor's degree in civil engineering and internship experience. An Entry Level Drainage Engineer focuses specifically on drainage systems and stormwater management, while a Junior Civil Engineer has a broader scope in civil projects. The drainage engineer role is more specialized, whereas the junior civil engineer may work across various civil disciplines.

What does an Entry Level Drainage Engineer do?

An Entry Level Drainage Engineer helps design, analyze, and implement stormwater and wastewater management systems under the supervision of senior engineers. Their tasks typically include preparing drainage plans, using software to model water flow, assisting with site inspections, and ensuring projects comply with environmental regulations. They often work with multidisciplinary teams on infrastructure projects such as roads, buildings, and land developments. This role is ideal for recent engineering graduates looking to gain experience in civil or environmental engineering fields.

What are some common challenges faced by entry level drainage engineers in their first year on the job?

Entry level drainage engineers often encounter challenges such as learning to interpret complex civil engineering plans, understanding local and federal drainage regulations, and becoming proficient with specialized design software like Civil 3D or MicroDrainage. Additionally, they may need to quickly adapt to collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, including architects, surveyors, and environmental specialists. Time management and balancing multiple project deadlines are also common hurdles, but with guidance from senior engineers and on-the-job experience, these challenges become valuable learning opportunities.
What cities are hiring for Entry Level Drainage Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Entry Level Drainage Engineer job openings:
What states have the most Entry Level Drainage Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Entry Level Drainage Engineer jobs include:
Entry Level Drainage Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Drainage Engineer job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $96,894 per year, or $46.6 per hour.
Entry Level Transportation Engineer

Entry Level Transportation Engineer

Trilon

Detroit, MI

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago

Job description

The Mannik & Smith Group (MSG) is a people-focused, award-winning, full-service consulting firm offering civil and geotechnical engineering, environmental consulting, planning, landscape architecture, agriculture, surveying, and construction support. Our talented team delivers integrated planning, design, engineering, and construction solutions across Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, West Virginia, and Alabama.
Drive the Future of Transportation with MSG

MSG is growing - and we're looking for an Entry-Level Transportation Engineer to join our Detroit team (also open to Monroe, MI) and help shape it. If you're early in your career and looking for a place where you'll actually get your hands on real roadway projects (not just watch from the sidelines), this is it. You'll work alongside experienced engineers who are invested in helping you build a career, not just fill a seat.
Grow Your Career with Blueprint

This role includes a guaranteed seat in Blueprint, our new early career leadership program for engineers looking to grow beyond the typical entry-level experience. Over six months, participants take part in a hands-on curriculum covering professional development, business acumen, and project delivery - including case studies, simulations, and role-play exercises. The program covers topics like project economics, communication, and leadership fundamentals, and concludes with an in-person capstone event where participants present their work and outline goals for the year ahead.
Your Future Starts With A Plan.
You'll play a key role in designing, analyzing, and developing transportation infrastructure that improves how communities move and connect. You will:
  • Work alongside senior engineers and project managers preparing transportation design plans for state, municipal, commercial, industrial, and residential projects - all within a 3D digital environment
  • Sharpen your technical skills by performing and reviewing design calculations for accuracy and compliance
  • Get hands-on with design packages, including roadway geometry, drainage, grading, and plan preparation
  • Get involved from the ground up - feasibility studies, permitting, and cost estimating
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field
  • Preferred: Successful completion of the NCEES Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam
  • Experience working with OpenRoads Designer
  • Familiarity with MDOT Design Standards
  • A strong attention to detail, a problem-solving mindset, and genuine eagerness to grow your technical and project management skills
You'll be part of a growing, people-focused firm that values innovation, collaboration, and integrity - with the freedom to lead, the support to grow, and the chance to make a real difference in your career, your team, and the communities we serve. We also offer:
  • 401(k) with company match
  • Health insurance with HSA option, Vision, Dental, Life
  • Flexible schedule
  • Paid time off
  • Referral program
  • Tuition reimbursement
It is the policy of our company to follow equal employment opportunity procedures in compliance with federal, state and local criteria. We will provide all applicants for employment, and all employees, with equal opportunity without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, height, weight, marital status, arrest record, disability, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, military or veteran status, and/or any other protected classes covered by any local, state and federal laws. The base salary range for this role is indicated in the posting. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the compensation for this position at the time of posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, internal equity, and geographic location.

About The Mannik & Smith Group
As one of the premier multi-disciplined consulting firms, we work with an exclusive collection of some of the best and fastest-growing private entities, municipalities, and governmental agencies in the region, nation, and around the globe.

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