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Freelance Water Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

NxT Level

Water Resource Design Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site +1

$74.70K - $102.10K/yr

Water Resource Design Engineer Remote (Candidates must be in Florida or willing to relocate to Florida) About Us: Our Client is a pioneering force in the restoration of the Everglades and a key ...

NxT Level

Water Resource Design Engineer

Tampa, FL · On-site

$74.70K - $102.10K/yr

Water Resource Design Engineer Remote (Candidates must be in Florida or willing to relocate to Florida) About Us: Our Client is a pioneering force in the restoration of the Everglades and a key ...

GFT.

Water Treatment Facility Design Engineer

Audubon, PA · On-site

$90K - $200K/yr

GFT is seeking a Water Treatment Design Engineer to join our Water team!This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at one of our many offices. Joining the water resources ...

GFT.

Water Treatment Facility Design Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$90K - $200K/yr

GFT is seeking a Water Treatment Design Engineer to join our Water team! This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at one of our many offices. Joining the water resources ...

GFT.

Water Treatment Facility Design Engineer

Woodbury, NY · On-site

$90K - $200K/yr

GFT is seeking a Water Treatment Design Engineer to join our Water team!This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at one of our many offices. Joining the water resources ...

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How much do freelance water design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of May 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for freelance water design engineer in the United States is $47.71, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.28 and $61.78 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Freelance Water Design Engineer vs Civil Water Engineer?

AspectFreelance Water Design EngineerCivil Water Engineer
CredentialsRelevant engineering degrees, certifications in water systemsEngineering degrees, professional licensure (PE), certifications in water resources
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-siteTypically employed by firms, government agencies, or construction companies
Employer & Industry UsageFreelance basis for consulting firms, engineering consultancies, or clientsPublic and private sector infrastructure projects, construction, and consulting

Freelance Water Design Engineers often work independently on water system projects, offering specialized consulting services. Civil Water Engineers are usually employed by organizations involved in large-scale infrastructure projects. Both roles require similar credentials but differ mainly in employment setting and project scope.

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What cities are hiring for Freelance Water Design Engineer jobs? Cities with the most Freelance Water Design Engineer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Water Design Engineer jobs? The most popular types of Water Design Engineer jobs are:
What states have the most Freelance Water Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Freelance Water Design Engineer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Freelance Water Design Engineer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Freelance Water Design Engineer jobs are:
Freelance Water Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Freelance Water Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 7% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 80% Physical, 10% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,230 per year, or $47.7 per hour.
Design Engineer I

Design Engineer I

Sherwood Design Engineers

San Francisco, CA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Design Engineer I
CA
About Sherwood Design Engineers
Sherwood is a civil and environmental engineering firm that is committed to investing in and embracing people, communities and the environment.
Our team has delivered net zero energy and net zero carbon systems, net positive water systems, resilient coastlines, natural resource protection, green streets, living roofs and more for thousands of clients in the region and across the globe. We specialize in sustainable infrastructure, water management strategies, green building design, and systems based solutions for infrastructure and landscapes. Our focus is on the conservation and management of the consumption of all site resources - carbon, energy, water, and waste. We've worked on over thirty award-winning projects, and our work has been published locally and internationally.
Founded in 2003, our award-winning projects include Hudson Yards in New York (the largest private real estate development in U.S. history), San Francisco Better Streets Plan, Greater New Orleans Urban Water Plan, revitalization of the iconic waterfront Brooklyn Bridge Park, and the 35 square-km Baietan Urban Area Plan in the heart of Guangzhou, China.
Our mission is to engineer an environmentally and socially regenerative planet. Will you join us?
Role Summary
At Sherwood Design Engineers, we value collaboration that incorporates multiple perspectives, and believe that diverse ideas produce more robust and equitable solutions. We have an amazing opportunity for a driven and curious Design Engineer focused on land development design to support our team.
Minimum Skills
  • Typically industry internship experience
  • Bachelor's degree in Engineering - Civil and/or Environmental
  • Exercises sound judgment on details of work and in application of standard methods for conventional and innovative work.
  • Ability to work with multiple site base files oriented in different coordinate frames and varying units.
  • Ability to read, understand and design topographic information.
  • Working knowledge of Windows, MS Office, and cloud-based collaboration software (Google Apps, Asana, Dropbox, Sharepoint, etc.)
  • Proficient in AutoCAD

Preferred Skills
  • Knowledge of civil design programs (Civil 3D, HydroCAD, Flowmasters, StormCAD, etc)
  • Knowledge of Graphics programs (Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, Illustrator, etc.)
  • Certifications or other sustainability-oriented accreditation preferred (LEED , EIT, etc.)
  • Knowledge of GIS principles
  • Knowledge of Adobe Creative Suite

Expected Outcomes
  • Physical Site Assessment and Field Visits
  • Research, understand, and summarize regulatory requirements for residential, commercial, and industrial development projects, public works improvements, or other capital improvement projects using applied knowledge of civil engineering
  • Data Collection and Processing
  • Numerical Computations in the field of CIvil Engineering, Hydrology and Hydraulics, Stormwater management, etc
  • Prepare Technical Reports, Project Specifications, and Cost Estimates
  • Create and interpret blueprints, technical drawings, and schematics
  • Use drafting tools or computer-aided design (CAD) equipment and software in design work.
  • Design naturally and physically built structures using knowledge of biology, statistics, dynamics, materials, kinematics, hydrology, hydraulics, and geotechnics
  • Oversee construction of projects to ensure adherence to design specifications
  • Ensure projects comply with local zoning and ordinances, as well as national regulatory requirements
  • Identify, evaluate, and document existing structures for signs for disrepair and provide design remedies as necessary

What We Offer
  • Own a part of the firm with ESOP eligibility after one year
  • Flexible working - with every other Friday off
  • Competitive Health plans, including PPO and HMO options, Dental and Vision plans
  • Learning and Development stipend to use as you see fit
  • Generous PTO and 8 paid holidays
  • Automatic 401k enrollment
  • Fun team events, lunches and happy hours to get to know colleagues outside of work
  • A tangible opportunity to truly help the environment!

Compensation:
The wage range for this role takes into account the wide range of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions, including but not limited to: skill sets; experience and training; licensure and certifications; and other business and organizational needs. At Sherwood Design Engineers, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $77,000 to $86,000. The disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographic differential associated with the location at which the position may be filled.
Reasonable accommodations may be made to individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Employer will not sponsor visas for position. Applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

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