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State Engineer Jobs in Rhode Island (NOW HIRING)

The Associate Energy Engineer will be responsible for identifying and verifying energy efficiency ... We can confidently state that we are successful as a direct result of our diversity. From day one ...

Contract Recruiter

Cranston, RI · On-site

$40 - $45/hr

... state engineering/trades organization * 5+ years professional experience in recruiting function with experience in full cycle recruiting. * Ability to translate business plans to recruitment ...

Ocean State Signal About Us Ocean State Signal (OSS) is a premier manufacturer's representative ... This role combines strong engineering expertise with client engagement, technical product support ...

Resident Engineer - Rhode Island

Warwick, RI · On-site

$96K - $123K/yr

... state and city/local agencies, private owners, architects, engineers and contractors. M&J Engineering is a leader in construction management and inspection, ITS, mechanical, electrical, wastewater ...

... state and city/local agencies, private owners, architects, engineers and contractors. M&J Engineering is a leader in construction management and inspection, ITS, mechanical, electrical, wastewater ...

Resident Engineer - Rhode Island

Warwick, RI · On-site

$96K - $123K/yr

... state and city/local agencies, private owners, architects, engineers and contractors. M&J Engineering is a leader in construction management and inspection, ITS, mechanical, electrical, wastewater ...

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Showing results 1-20

State Engineer information

See Rhode Island salary details

$38.2K

$99.6K

$134.7K

How much do state engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for state engineer in Rhode Island is $99,647.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $82,300.00 and $114,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a State Engineer, you need a strong background in civil or environmental engineering, typically supported by a Professional Engineer (PE) license and several years of relevant experience. Familiarity with GIS software, water resource management systems, and regulatory compliance tools is commonly required. Leadership, analytical thinking, and effective communication are essential soft skills for coordinating complex projects and engaging with diverse stakeholders. These skills and qualities ensure the successful oversight of public infrastructure, environmental protection, and regulatory adherence at the state level.

What does a state engineer do?

A State Engineer is a government official responsible for overseeing water resources management, including the allocation and regulation of water rights within a state. They ensure that water use complies with state laws and policies, conduct hydrological studies, and may supervise dam and reservoir operations. State Engineers also issue permits, resolve disputes over water use, and help develop long-term water planning strategies. Their work plays a crucial role in balancing the needs of agriculture, industry, municipalities, and environmental protection.

What is the difference between State Engineer vs Civil Engineer?

AspectState EngineerCivil Engineer
Required CredentialsTypically requires a professional engineering license and state-specific certificationsRequires a bachelor's degree in civil engineering; licensure as a Professional Engineer (PE) often preferred
Work EnvironmentWorks primarily in government agencies, overseeing public infrastructure projectsWorks in consulting firms, construction sites, or government agencies on various infrastructure projects
Employer & Industry UsageGovernment agencies at state level, public infrastructure projectsPrivate firms, consulting companies, government agencies in construction and design

While both roles involve infrastructure and engineering expertise, a State Engineer typically works within government agencies managing public projects and requires specific state certifications. Civil Engineers have broader roles in designing and constructing infrastructure across various sectors, often with licensure as a Professional Engineer. The roles overlap in skills and credentials but differ mainly in scope and employment setting.

How does a state engineer typically collaborate with government agencies and private stakeholders on large-scale infrastructure projects?

A State Engineer often serves as a key liaison between government agencies, private contractors, and the public on major infrastructure projects such as water resource management, transportation, and public works. Collaboration usually involves coordinating project planning, ensuring regulatory compliance, and facilitating communication among all parties to address technical, legal, and environmental concerns. State Engineers regularly attend interagency meetings, review project proposals, and provide expert guidance to ensure projects meet state standards and timelines. This collaborative environment helps ensure that infrastructure projects are completed efficiently, safely, and with stakeholder input.
Infographic showing various State Engineer job openings in Rhode Island as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Locum Tenens, 89% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,647 per year, or $47.9 per hour.

$120K/yr

Full-time

Posted 15 days ago


Job description

This position is located in the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Farm Production and Conservation (FPAC) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS), Rhode Island State Office and reports to the State Conservationist. Provides staff leadership in engineering programs of NRCS in Rhode Island, including formulation of standards, specifications, engineering planning, design and construction; analyzes engineering work and training to recommend training and placement of engineering personnel.Qualifications:In order to qualify, you must meet the eligibility and qualifications requirements as defined below by the closing date of the announcement. For more information on the qualifications for this position, visit the Office of Personnel Management's General Schedule Qualification Standards.
Your application and resume must clearly show that you possess the experience requirements. If education is required or being used to qualify, you must submit a copy of your transcripts.
This is an interdisciplinary position and may be filled in any of the job series listed below.
Basic Requirement: GS-0810/0890:
A. Degree: Engineering. To be acceptable, the program must: (1) lead to a bachelor's degree in a school of engineering with at least one program accredited by 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)
1, 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)2 examination or any other written test required for professional registration by an engineering licensure board in the various States, the District of Columbia, Guam, and 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 the basic requirements under paragraph A. The courses must be fully acceptable toward meeting the requirements of an engineering program as described in paragraph A.
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 bachelor's 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. (The above examples of related curricula are not all-inclusive.)
In addition to meeting the basic requirement, you must also possess experience and/or directly related education listed below.
Specialized Experience Requirement:
At least one year of specialized experience, equivalent to the GS-12 grade level in the Federal service, or comparable experience not gained through Federal service. For this position, examples of specialized experience include:

  1. Analyzes engineering work and training needs.
  2. Reviews draft of work plans and project measures for adequacy of the engineering aspects.
  3. Prepares specifications and guidelines for planning, design, and construction of the structural practices of organizational programs.
  4. Trains field engineers in the use of engineering standards and procedures.
NOTE: There is no education substitution for specialized experience at the GS-13 grade level.
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). Volunteer work helps build critical competencies and can provide valuable training and experience that translates directly to paid employment. You will receive credit for all qualifying experience, including volunteer experience.
Time-in-Grade Requirement: If you are a current federal employee in the General Schedule (GS) pay plan and applying for a promotion opportunity, you must meet time-in-grade (TIG) requirements of 52 weeks of service at the next lower grade level in the normal line of progression for the position being filled. You must meet this requirement by the closing date of this announcement.Education:College Transcript: If qualifying based on education, you must submit a copy of your college transcript with course number and department (i.e., Bio 101, Math 210, etc.), course title, number of credit hours, and grade earned. If a relevant course is not clearly qualifying (e.g., special topic, seminar, research, thesis, obscure or misleading course title, etc.), please submit an official course syllabi and/or detailed course description from the university/college to ensure proper evaluation.
Your education must have been successfully obtained from an accredited school, college or university recognized by the U.S. Department of Education to be credited toward qualifications. You may verify accreditation by visiting the U.S. Department of Education Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs website. We will verify your education accordingly.
Foreign Education: You must submit verification that education completed in a foreign institution, was recognized by an accreditation body accepted by the U.S. Department of Education. You must include a Certificate of Foreign Equivalency with your transcript. There are private organizations that specialize in this evaluation and a fee is normally associated with this service. For a list of private organizations that evaluate education, visit the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) website. Your transcripts must be in English or include an English translation.
You may submit an unofficial copy of your transcript at the initial phase of the application process. However, if selected, you will be required to submit official transcripts prior to entering on duty. Please refer to the "How to Apply" section for instructions on submitting transcripts.Employment Type: OTHER