Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in Pennsylvania or eligible for Pennsylvania reciprocity
12 to 15 years of site and civil engineering experience
Strong knowledge of land development process and regulatory requirements in Philadelphia
Demonstrated experience managing client relationships and project teams
Responsibilities
Lead civil engineering design tasks throughout project lifecycle
Develop stormwater management designs that adhere to local regulations
Prepare designs and permit submissions in compliance with city codes
Serve as primary client contact and manage project communications
Mentor junior staff and support hiring decisions
Assign and balance workloads within the team
Oversee project billing and invoicing processes
Benefits
Medical and prescription coverage with significant employer contributions
Dental and vision coverage with substantial employer contributions
401(k) retirement plan with company matching
Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care
Generous paid time off, including vacation and personal days
Company-paid professional development and training reimbursement
Discretionary year-end bonus
Full Job Description
Job Type
Full-time
Description
Position: Senior Civil Engineer and Deputy Office Manager
Reports to: Office Manager
Who We're Looking For:
Genuine investment in Philadelphia's built environment, with a commitment to delivering infrastructure and public space improvements that make a tangible difference in the lives of the city's residents.
Self-direction and dependability - takes initiative, meets deadlines without close supervision, and actively seeks feedback and collaboration to produce the best outcome.
Sound engineering judgment and creative problem-solving to identify practical, cost-effective solutions across a wide range of technical challenges.
Technical Responsibilities:
Lead and execute civil engineering design tasks across all phases of project delivery - from site layout, grading, and utility design through permitting, construction documents, and construction administration.
Develop stormwater management designs that comply with Philadelphia Water Department (PWD) Stormwater Management Guidelines for Private Development, such as bioretention, subsurface infiltration, and porous pavement. Must have thorough knowledge of PWD stormwater regulations, the PWD drainage manual and approval process.
Develop designs and permit submissions that comply with the Philadelphia Code and applicable municipal regulations. Must be familiar with zoning and construction permitting through the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I); Department of Streets requirements for private development and right-of-way work; Philadelphia City Planning Commission (PCPC) site plan review; and other City of Philadelphia regulatory requirements.
Prepare technical specifications, design reports, complete quantity take-offs and cost estimates, and develop realistic construction schedules to support project delivery.
Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, managing project communications, responding to technical questions, and presenting design progress throughout all project phases.
Maintain current knowledge of evolving design criteria, regulatory requirements, and industry technology, and apply that knowledge to improve the quality and efficiency of project delivery.
Deputy Office Manager Responsibilities:
Serve as acting Office Manager in the Office Manager's absence.
Cultivate and maintain relationships with existing clients, serving as a trusted point of contact and identifying opportunities for expanded services.
Lead and contribute to proposal development, including technical scopes of work, fee estimates, and interview preparation, actively supporting the growth of the Philadelphia office.
Represent KSE at industry events, professional organizations, and municipal meetings.
Provide mentorship to junior staff, including engineers, CADD technicians, and interns.
Support hiring decisions and participate in candidate interviews.
Assign and balance workloads across the Philadelphia team.
Support quality control reviews of project deliverables.
Oversee project billing, invoicing, and accounts receivable in coordination with firm leadership.
Professional Expectations:
Manage multiple projects on schedule and under budget.
Collaborate effectively with internal project teams, subconsultants, and client staff, contributing positively to team culture and project outcomes.
Possess excellent verbal and written communication skills.
Travel to project sites and meet clients as needed.
Requirements
Education and Licensure Requirements:
Bachelor's degree in civil engineering required.
Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in Pennsylvania required, or PE licensure in another state with eligibility for Pennsylvania reciprocity.
Experience:
12 to 15 years of experience in site and civil engineering.
Strong working knowledge of the land development process, including zoning and variance approvals, permitting, agency coordination, and construction administration.
Demonstrated experience delivering projects in the City of Philadelphia, including working knowledge of PWD, Department of Streets, L&I, and PCPC permitting and regulatory requirements.
Experience delivering publicly funded infrastructure, institutional, or parks and recreation projects is a plus.
Demonstrated experience managing client relationships and leading project teams as a senior engineer or project manager.
Physical Requirements:
Ability to sit at a desk for extended periods (often 6-8 hours a day).
Maintaining posture while working at a computer.
Short periods of standing or walking within the office (to printers, meeting rooms, etc.).
Site visits will be required from time to time. This will mainly involve visiting sites during design to assess the site, or during construction to ensure the work is progressing.
Benefits:
KSE offers a comprehensive and competitive compensation and benefits package, including:
Medical and prescription coverage through a nationally recognized provider, with KSE contributing a significant portion of premiums for both individual and family plans
Dental and vision coverage, with KSE contributing a substantial portion of premiums
401(k) retirement plan with company matching at every pay period
Flexible spending accounts for health and dependent care expenses
Commuter benefits for transit and parking expenses
Term life insurance, fully paid by KSE
Long-term disability insurance, fully paid by KSE
Generous paid time off, including holidays, vacation, sick days, and personal time, with additional vacation accruing with tenure
Discretionary year-end bonus
Reimbursement for work-related training, certification courses, and continuing education
Company-paid PDHs and support for PE license renewal
