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Graduate Coastal Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Whether you're an experienced professional or a new graduate, you'll have the chance to collaborate ... Be the coastal engineer of record on projects. * Support leadership to develop a team of ...

Graduate Civil Engineer - Water Resources - Tampa, FL Singhofen Halff has an immediate opening for ... Coastal Engineering and Planning * Stream Restoration Planning and Design * Stormwater Planning ...

Hydraulic & Hydrology Engineer

Houston, TX

$77K - $101K/yr

... and graduate coursework in fluid dynamics, engineering hydrology, open channel and pipeline hydraulics, sediment transport, coastal engineering, and numerical methods. Minimum of 1 to 2 years of ...

Hydraulic & Hydrology Engineer

Houston, TX · On-site

$77K - $101K/yr

... graduate coursework in fluid dynamics, engineering hydrology, open channel and pipeline hydraulics, sediment transport, coastal engineering, and numerical methods. * Minimum of 1 to 2 years of ...

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Graduate Coastal Engineer information

See salary details

$30.5K

$68.6K

$115.5K

How much do graduate coastal engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 19, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate coastal engineer in the United States is $68,617.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $52,000.00 and $74,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Graduate Coastal Engineer vs Coastal Engineer?

AspectGraduate Coastal EngineerCoastal Engineer
CredentialsTypically recent degree in civil, environmental, or coastal engineering; may lack professional licensureLikely licensed Professional Engineer (PE) with several years of experience
Work EnvironmentEntry-level projects, supervised tasks, research, and data collectionProject management, design, and implementation of coastal protection structures
Industry UsageInternships, graduate programs, entry-level roles in consulting firms or government agenciesMid-level to senior roles in engineering firms, government agencies, or research institutions

The main difference is experience and responsibility. Graduate Coastal Engineers are early in their careers, focusing on learning and supporting projects, while Coastal Engineers have more experience, take on design and project management roles, and often hold professional licensure.

What does a Graduate Coastal Engineer do?

A Graduate Coastal Engineer is an entry-level professional who assists in the design, analysis, and management of projects related to coastal environments, such as beaches, harbors, and flood defenses. They work under the supervision of senior engineers to help protect and manage coastlines against erosion, flooding, and other environmental challenges. Typical tasks include data collection, site assessments, computer modeling, and preparing technical reports. The role requires a strong background in civil or environmental engineering and often involves collaboration with other specialists to develop sustainable solutions.

What types of projects can a Graduate Coastal Engineer expect to work on, and how do they typically collaborate with senior engineers and multidisciplinary teams?

As a Graduate Coastal Engineer, you can expect to be involved in a variety of projects such as shoreline protection, harbor and marina design, flood risk assessments, and beach nourishment schemes. You will frequently work under the guidance of senior engineers, contributing to tasks like data analysis, site assessments, report writing, and design development. Collaboration is key—expect to work closely with hydrologists, environmental scientists, surveyors, and construction teams to ensure holistic project outcomes. This role offers an excellent opportunity to develop technical skills while gaining exposure to client interactions and project management in a supportive team environment.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate Coastal Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Coastal Engineer, you need a solid background in civil or coastal engineering, supported by an accredited engineering degree and strong analytical skills. Familiarity with modeling software such as MIKE21, AutoCAD, and GIS tools, along with knowledge of relevant industry standards, is typically required. Strong problem-solving, communication, and teamwork abilities help you collaborate effectively and present complex information clearly. These skills are essential for designing resilient coastal structures, addressing environmental challenges, and working within multidisciplinary project teams.
More about Graduate Coastal Engineer jobs
Infographic showing various Graduate Coastal Engineer job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $68,617 per year, or $33 per hour.
Coastal Project Engineer

Coastal Project Engineer

Dewberry

Virginia Beach, VA

Full-time

Posted 9 hours ago


Dewberry rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 15 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Dewberry has an excellent opportunity for a Coastal Project Engineer with minimum 5 years of experience with an emphasis on the design and construction of coastal and flood control projects. The ideal candidate will serve as Project Engineer on planning, engineering, and construction of coastal infrastructure and large-scale flood resilience related projects. The Project Engineer will also participate in the development of proposals, assist in business development, present at conferences, participate in professional organizations, and will have the opportunity to grow nationally. The Project Engineer will be involved with a team of engineers to support various projects across the country with emphasis on eastern region (Texas to Massachusetts) and will play a critical role to support Dewberry’s National Resilience Growth Initiative.   

At Dewberry you will have the opportunity to engage in strategic initiatives, collaborate with exceptional colleagues, and contribute to interesting projects that transform communities. We invest in our employees and offer extensive career development opportunities as well as a comprehensive compensation package and healthy work-life balance.

Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors are our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that have inspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.


  • Ability to perform engineering analysis
  • Develop preliminary and detailed designs of water infrastructure, including but not limited to: coastal infrastructure, ecosystem restoration, living shoreline, shoreline stabilization, green infrastructure, drainage conveyance system, flood control system, and others
  • Be the coastal engineer of record on projects.
  • Support leadership to develop a team of professionals that delivers multi-disciplinary flood resilience projects.
  • Develop strong client relationships.
  • Support multi-disciplinary teams of professionals on planning and design-related projects.
  • Support strategy and capture planning on pursuits for coastal and flood resilience-related planning and design projects.
  • Provide technical support for resilience, coastal, and hazard mitigation projects within the municipal, regional, and federal markets.
  • Communicate with clients, establish goals and objectives for project teams, and schedule and coordinate resources to deliver projects on time, within budget, and to the performance expectations of the client.

  • BS or MS degree preferably in Civil Engineering (with an emphasis in ocean and/or coastal engineering).
  • 5+ years of experience in coastal engineering, engineering for living shoreline and shoreline stabilization on both riverine and coastal environments, green infrastructure, bulkhead design, flood resilience, and flood control system components
  • Professional Engineer License and ability to apply for reciprocity in various states
  • Demonstrated experience as an engineer of record for built projects.
  • Progressive experience conducting business development and project delivery for coastal and flood resilience projects in urban environments (coastal, riverine/fluvial and pluvial)
  • Knowledge of local municipalities, USACE and FEMA and similar agencies standards and procedures for design.
  • Demonstrates strong technical writing and communication skills.
  • Experience using GIS and CAD programs such as ESRI ArcGIS, AutoCAD Civil 3D, Microstation and others.
  • Experience using coastal hydrodynamic and wave modeling including design programs such as, MIKE, DELFT3D, ADCIRC, SWAN, WHAFIS, and others.
  • Knowledge of water resources (hydrology and hydraulic modeling), is a plus.
  • A clean driving record is required.

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

*Only recipients of an offer of employment from Dewberry, will be required to submit to a background screening which may include, but is not limited to, employment verification, educational and other credential verification, driving record check, criminal background check, and an investigative consumer report. These screenings will be conducted by Dewberry’s background vendor of choice and will be conducted in compliance with all applicable federal, state, and local law.

Notice to Third Party Recruiters:  Dewberry only compensates job placement recruiters that have a valid Dewberry-approved written agreement in place for recruiting services. Dewberry does not compensate third party recruiters for unsolicited job placement candidate information.

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