Senior Level Civil Designer Jobs
Senior level civil designer jobs put experienced professionals in charge of project direction, technical standards, and the teams or workflows that deliver infrastructure from concept to construction. Most openings are 13% remote or hybrid, concentrated in Consulting & Professional Services, Construction & Real Estate, and Energy, with employers like Kimley-Horn, Burns & McDonnell, and Olsson hiring at this level now.
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This role is ideal for a highly skilled designer who enjoys hands-on production work and supporting the delivery of complex land development projects.
Responsibilities:
-
Lead the production of civil design plans for land development projects, including:
- Site layout
- Grading and earthwork
- Drainage and stormwater systems
- Utility design (water, sewer, storm)
- Develop construction documents (plan sets, profiles, details, and exhibits) with a high level of accuracy and efficiency
- Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D daily for design, modeling, and plan production
- Support engineers and PMs with design calculations, redlines, and plan development
- Coordinate with internal teams (roadway, surface water, landscape architecture) to deliver integrated solutions
- Assist with permitting and plan submittals for local municipalities and agencies (City of Charlotte, NCDOT, etc.)
- Review and QA/QC plans to ensure compliance with KH standards and client requirements
- Mentor junior designers and contribute to team development
Qualifications:
- Required Qualifications:
- 6+ years of experience in civil design / land development
- Strong experience with grading, drainage, and utility design
- Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Experience producing construction-ready plan sets
- Strong understanding of local standards (Charlotte / NC preferred)
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
Preferred (but not required):- Experience supporting both commercial and residential development projects
- Familiarity with stormwater design tools (Hydraflow, HydroCAD, etc.)
- Experience reviewing plans and mentoring junior staff
- Exposure to construction-phase support (RFIs, revisions, etc.)
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
This role is ideal for a highly skilled designer who enjoys hands-on production work and supporting the delivery of complex land development projects.
Responsibilities:
-
Lead the production of civil design plans for land development projects, including:
- Site layout
- Grading and earthwork
- Drainage and stormwater systems
- Utility design (water, sewer, storm)
- Develop construction documents (plan sets, profiles, details, and exhibits) with a high level of accuracy and efficiency
- Utilize AutoCAD Civil 3D daily for design, modeling, and plan production
- Support engineers and PMs with design calculations, redlines, and plan development
- Coordinate with internal teams (roadway, surface water, landscape architecture) to deliver integrated solutions
- Assist with permitting and plan submittals for local municipalities and agencies (City of Charlotte, NCDOT, etc.)
- Review and QA/QC plans to ensure compliance with KH standards and client requirements
- Mentor junior designers and contribute to team development
Qualifications:
- Required Qualifications:
- 6+ years of experience in civil design / land development
- Strong experience with grading, drainage, and utility design
- Advanced proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D
- Experience producing construction-ready plan sets
- Strong understanding of local standards (Charlotte / NC preferred)
- Ability to work independently and manage multiple projects
Preferred (but not required):- Experience supporting both commercial and residential development projects
- Familiarity with stormwater design tools (Hydraflow, HydroCAD, etc.)
- Experience reviewing plans and mentoring junior staff
- Exposure to construction-phase support (RFIs, revisions, etc.)
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
See All 44 Senior Level Civil Designer Jobs
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Find JobsSenior Level Civil Designer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Kimley-Horn14
- Burns & McDonnell7
- Olsson4
- HDR3
- Landdesign2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services34
- Construction & Real Estate8
- Energy2
- Healthcare & Medical Services2
- Renewable Energy1
Senior Level Civil Designer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior level civil designer job?
Employers hiring at the senior level look for candidates who can own a project from preliminary design through construction documents without close supervision. Demonstrated experience leading site civil, grading, or utility design on complex projects carries significant weight, as does proficiency in Civil 3D or similar platforms. Showing that you have mentored junior staff or coordinated across disciplines gives you a clear edge over candidates with equivalent years of experience.
Which companies hire senior level civil designers?
Companies hiring senior level civil designers right now include Kimley-Horn, Burns & McDonnell, and Olsson, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Hiring at this level covers large national engineering and consulting firms as well as regional land development firms that need experienced designers who can run projects independently.
Are there remote senior level civil designer jobs?
Yes, though most roles at this level involve at least occasional site coordination or client interaction. About 13% of senior level civil designer openings are remote or hybrid as of July 2026, reflecting the growing adoption of cloud-based design tools and digital project delivery across the industry.
What makes a civil designer role senior level?
Senior level civil designer roles are defined by ownership and scope. Where mid-level designers execute tasks within a defined framework, senior designers set the technical approach, make independent judgment calls on design solutions, and are accountable for deliverable quality. Mentoring junior and mid-level staff, coordinating directly with clients or permitting agencies, and leading multi-discipline project teams are all hallmarks of work at this stage.
Which industries hire the most senior level civil designers?
Senior Level civil designer roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Construction & Real Estate, and Energy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 2026. Infrastructure investment cycles, land development activity, and public works programs in these sectors consistently drive demand for experienced designers who can manage complex scopes and see projects through permitting and construction.