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Lead Civil Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior Civil Engineer

Long Beach, CA · On-site

$175 - $200/hr

The Lead Civil Engineer will be part of an engineering team providing engineering services to large and small projects. The role includes the exciting opportunity to grow the team of civil ...

Lead Civil Engineer

Irving, TX · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Lead Civil Engineer to join our team. The Engineer will be responsible for applying scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, and ...

Lead Civil Engineer

Clarkston, MI · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Lead Civil Engineer to join our team. The Engineer will be responsible for applying scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, and ...

Lead Civil Engineer

Charlotte, NC · On-site

$100K - $131K/yr

Little, nationally recognized as a "Best Firm to Work For" and one of the nation's most progressive design firms, is seeking a Lead Civil Engineer with a positive, collaborative work style, for our ...

Lead Civil Engineer

Philadelphia, PA · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Lead Civil Engineer to join our team. The Engineer will be responsible for applying scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, and ...

Lead Civil Engineer

Youngstown, OH · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Lead Civil Engineer to join our team. The Engineer will be responsible for applying scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, and ...

Lead Civil Engineer

Fort Lauderdale, FL · On-site

$125K - $150K/yr

We are seeking a highly skilled and innovative Lead Civil Engineer to join our team. The Engineer will be responsible for applying scientific and mathematical principles to design, develop, and ...

Showing results 21-40

Lead Civil Engineer information

See salary details

$42.5K

$123.8K

$180.5K

How much do lead civil engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average yearly pay for lead civil engineer in the United States is $123,784.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $102,500.00 and $135,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a lead civil engineer?

Lead Civil Engineers are experienced professionals responsible for overseeing and managing civil engineering projects, such as infrastructure, roads, bridges, and buildings. They coordinate teams of engineers and other personnel, ensure that projects meet technical standards, safety regulations, and are completed on time and within budget. Their role often includes project planning, design review, resource allocation, and communication with stakeholders. In addition, Lead Civil Engineers mentor junior staff and play a key role in problem-solving and decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

What are some common challenges lead civil engineers face when managing multidisciplinary project teams?

Lead Civil Engineers often oversee teams that include professionals from various disciplines, such as structural, electrical, and environmental engineering. Coordinating communication, aligning project goals, and ensuring all technical requirements are met can be challenging, especially on large or complex projects. Successful Lead Civil Engineers foster collaboration through regular meetings, clear documentation, and proactive problem-solving. They also play a key role in mediating conflicts and facilitating information flow to keep projects on schedule and within budget.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a lead civil engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Lead Civil Engineer, you need a solid background in civil engineering principles, project management, and a relevant engineering degree with Professional Engineer (PE) licensure. Familiarity with industry-standard design software like AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and project management tools is typically required. Strong leadership, problem-solving, and communication skills help you manage teams and collaborate effectively with stakeholders. These skills ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget while maintaining high-quality engineering standards.

What is the difference between Lead Civil Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectLead Civil EngineerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, PE license often preferredBachelor's degree in Civil Engineering
Work EnvironmentOversees projects, manages teams, coordinates with clientsPerforms design, analysis, and site inspections under supervision
Employer & Industry UsageUsed in construction firms, engineering consultancies, infrastructure projectsCommonly employed in similar settings, often as entry to mid-level roles

The main difference is that a Lead Civil Engineer typically manages projects and teams, requiring more experience and leadership skills, while a Civil Engineer focuses on technical design and analysis tasks. The Lead Civil Engineer role involves higher responsibility, strategic planning, and client interaction, whereas Civil Engineers execute the technical work under supervision.

More about Lead Civil Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Lead Civil Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Lead Civil Engineer job openings:

What states have the most Lead Civil Engineer jobs?

States with the most job openings for Lead Civil Engineer jobs include:

Infographic showing various Lead Civil Engineer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 90% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $123,784 per year, or $59.5 per hour.

$106K/yr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago


Job description

This is a Direct Hire Authority (DHA) solicitation utilizing the DHA for Certain Personnel of the DoD Workforce to recruit and appoint qualified candidates to positions in the competitive service.
About the Position: Serves as a Team Leader, providing technical and procedural guidance to more junior civil engineers for the design, construction, operation and maintenance of civil works and military project components and systems.Qualifications:Who May Apply: US Citizens
In order to qualify, you must meet the education and/or experience requirements described below. Experience refers to paid and unpaid experience, including volunteer work done through National Service programs (e.g., Peace Corps, AmeriCorps) and other organizations (e.g., professional; philanthropic; religious; spiritual; community; student; social). You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience. Your resume must clearly describe your relevant experience; if qualifying based on education, your transcripts will be required as part of your application. Additional information about transcripts is in this document.

Basic Requirement for Lead Civil Engineer:
A. Degree: Bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree (or higher degree) in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET); OR (2) include differential and integral calculus and courses (more advanced than first-year physics and chemistry) in five of the following seven areas of engineering science or physics: (a) statics, dynamics; (b) strength of materials (stress-strain relationships); (c) fluid mechanics, hydraulics; (d) thermodynamics; (e) electrical fields and circuits; (f) nature and properties of materials (relating particle and aggregate structure to properties); and (g) any other comparable area of fundamental engineering science or physics, such as optics, heat transfer, soil mechanics, or electronics.
OR
B. Combination of Education and Experience: College-level education, training, and/or technical experience that furnished (1) a thorough knowledge of the physical and mathematical sciences underlying engineering, and (2) a good understanding, both theoretical and practical, of the engineering sciences and techniques and their applications to one of the branches of engineering. The adequacy of such background must be demonstrated by one of the following:
1. Professional registration or licensure - Current registration as an Engineer Intern (EI), Engineer in Training (EIT), or licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) by any State, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico. Absent other means of qualifying under this standard, those applicants who achieved such registration by means other than written test (e.g., State grandfather or eminence provisions) are eligible only for positions that are within or closely related to the specialty field of their registration. For example, an applicant who attains registration through a State Board's eminence provision as a manufacturing engineer typically would be rated eligible only for manufacturing engineering positions.
2. Written Test - Evidence of having successfully passed the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) examination, or any other written test required for professional registration, by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, or Puerto Rico.
3. Specified academic courses - Successful completion of at least 60 semester hours of courses in the physical, mathematical, and engineering sciences and that included the courses specified in A above. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program.
4. Related curriculum - Successful completion of a curriculum leading to a bachelor's degree in an appropriate scientific field, e.g., engineering technology, physics, chemistry, architecture, computer science, mathematics, hydrology, or geology, may be accepted in lieu of a degree in engineering, provided the applicant has had at least 1 year of professional engineering experience acquired under professional engineering supervision and guidance. Ordinarily there should be either an established plan of intensive training to develop professional engineering competence, or several years of prior professional engineering-type experience, e.g., in interdisciplinary positions.
In addition to meeting the basic requirement above, to qualify for this position you must also meet the qualification requirements listed below:

  • one year of specialized experience equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service which includes: leading and guiding a team in the application of advanced civil engineering principles for the design, construction, and oversight of large-scale projects. This experience includes: 1) Serving as a technical leader or project engineer for civil works or military projects, providing guidance and mentorship to junior engineers on complex design and construction challenges; 2) Developing, reviewing, and approving comprehensive engineering designs, plans, and specifications for projects such as ecosystem restoration, flood damage reduction, dams, or levees; 3) Managing project scope, schedules, and budgets, and resolving technical conflicts to ensure projects are completed successfully; 4) Providing expert advice on engineering policies and overseeing A/E service contracts to ensure compliance with technical standards and project requirements.

Education:FOREIGN EDUCATION: If you are using education completed in foreign colleges or universities to meet the qualification requirements, you must show the education credentials have been evaluated by a private organization that specializes in interpretation of foreign education programs and such education has been deemed equivalent to that gained in an accredited U.S. education program; or full credit has been given for the courses at a U.S. accredited college or university. For further information, visit: https://sites.ed.gov/international/recognition-of-foreign-qualifications/Employment Type: OTHER

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About Army Corps of Engineers

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

National security, national security and international affairs and public administration

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Washington, DC, US