Entry Level Senior Staff Engineer Jobs
New grad senior staff engineer jobs are open to recent graduates and entry level candidates with zero to two years of experience, where a strong portfolio or internship work can matter more than a long resume. Most openings are on-site roles across Consulting & Professional Services, Energy, and Technology & Software, with employers like Xcel Energy, Schnabel Engineering, and 42dot hiring at this level now.
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Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 750+ employees in over 30+ offices throughout the United States.
Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.
Benefit options include:
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Flexible spending accounts
- Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
- Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
- Long-term disability
- Supplemental life insurance
- 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
- Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
- Bonus program
- Paid time off
- 9 Paid Holidays
- Wellness program
- Professional development and tuition reimbursement
Job Description:
Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation. Our Boise, Idaho, office is seeking a geotechnical / dam safety engineer to join our engineering group. We are looking for a motivated candidate with attention to detail, a passion to continue to develop as a professional, and a desire to be part of a strong multi-disciplinary team. Our Boise office includes civil, structural, hydraulic, geotechnical, and mechanical engineers; geologists; designers; and support professionals.
The Boise office of Schnabel focuses on the evaluation and design of dams, structures, and facilities within our dams engineering group. Our office provides selective, high-end engineering consultation and solutions to public and private sector clients in the Northwest and across the US. Example projects include inspection, evaluation, and design of dams and spillways; dam safety risk assessments; and design of fish hatcheries, surface water intakes, pump stations, outlet works, pipelines, and fabricated gates and valves for projects located across the United States. We also team with our geo-professional business group to provide geotechnical engineering for bridge and transportation projects.
Job Responsibilities:
- Analyze and design components related to dams and water infrastructure;
- Slope stability and seepage analyses;
- Filter compatibility analyses and evaluation of internal erosion;
- Analysis of settlement and lateral earth pressures;
- Analysis of liquefaction and seismic performance of embankment dams;
- Preparation of reports, plans, and specifications;
- Learn risk-informed approaches for evaluating dams and potential failure modes;
- Assist with risk assessments for dams and hydraulic structures;
- Develop engineering recommendations and write technical reports;
- Scope and performing geotechnical explorations and laboratory testing programs;
- Perform inspections of dams and hydraulic structures and collect data and measurements in the field;
- Assist in the preparation of complete engineering plans and specifications to be part of construction documents;
- Perform construction inspection with opportunities for short and/or longer-term field assignments;
- Assist project managers with project coordination and administrative tasks, with opportunities for task and project management responsibilities;
- Work as a team member within the Boise office and across other Schnabel offices to effectively balance workload among available resources.
- Engage in mentoring through on-the-job opportunities and Schnabel’s internal programs.
Required Skills/Experience:
- A bachelor's degree in civil engineering, from an ABET-accredited institution is required.
- 2+ years of relevant professional experience.
- High proficiency in writing and reviewing reports in English.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently or as part of a team.
- Willingness and ability to perform field work and travel.
- Have a positive attitude and work well in a team environment.
- A strong work ethic and the desire to perform professionally at a high level.
Preferred Skills/Experience:
- Prior internship or professional work in a related field (i.e. geotechnical engineering, construction, civil engineering, etc.)
- Experience with the latest version of AutoCAD & AutoCAD Civil 3D is beneficial, but not required.
- A master's degree in civil or geotechnical engineering.
- EIT certification
Other Requirements:
- Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license as driving is an essential function of the job
- Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record and credit check
- Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening
- Ability to lift 60 pounds and be physically able to negotiate construction sites, enter trenches, climb ladders, and work outside.
The compensation range for this position is between $78,000 to $110,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.
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Entry Level Senior Staff Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get an entry level senior staff engineer job?
Employers hiring at the entry level look for candidates who can demonstrate hands-on work through internships, capstone projects, or a portfolio of real systems they have built or contributed to. Showing familiarity with the technical stack relevant to the role, solid fundamentals, and the ability to collaborate on engineering teams gives new candidates a clear edge over applicants who rely on coursework alone.
Which companies hire entry level senior staff engineers?
Companies hiring entry level senior staff engineers right now include Xcel Energy, Schnabel Engineering, and 42dot, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Both large technology organizations and growth-stage companies post at this level when they want to develop engineering talent from the ground up rather than compete for fully senior candidates.
Are there remote entry level senior staff engineer jobs?
Yes, though on-site and hybrid roles make up the majority at this level. About 55% of entry level senior staff engineer openings are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, so candidates who can work in person will see the broadest set of opportunities while fully remote positions remain available for the right roles.
Are these new grad senior staff engineer jobs?
Yes. These listings include new grad, recent graduate, and junior roles that explicitly welcome candidates with zero to two years of experience. A posting is new-grad friendly when it accepts internship experience or a portfolio in place of full-time work history, lists foundational skills rather than years of tenure, and does not require prior management or staff-level ownership.
Which industries hire the most entry level senior staff engineers?
Entry Level senior staff engineer roles concentrate in Consulting & Professional Services, Energy, and Technology & Software, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Those sectors tend to drive entry level hiring because they are scaling engineering teams quickly and find it more effective to bring in candidates early and develop them within their existing technical environment.