Drainage Engineer-Chicago

About the Role

The ideal candidate will actively contribute to transportation infrastructure projects for the Illinois Department of Transportation, Illinois Tollway, and other agencies throughout metropolitan Chicago, while also engaging with WSP professionals nationwide and globally. • Lead hydrology and hydraulics efforts on major transportation projects. • Perform drainage design, including inlet spacing, pipe sizing, and culvert analysis. • Conduct bridge scour, erosion, and sediment‑control assessments. • Develop hydraulic models using HEC‑RAS, HEC‑HMS, HY8, XPSWMM, and GEOPAK Drainage. • Prepare technical reports, plans, special provisions, and permit documentation. • Estimate project costs and support bid preparation. • Collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams and external stakeholders. • Contribute to projects for IDOT, Illinois Tollway, and other regional agencies. • Lead design tasks and mentor junior engineers.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸hydraulic modeling
• ▸drainage design
• ▸scour assessment
• ▸technical reporting
• ▸cost estimation
• ▸design leadership

What You Bring

A strong grasp of drainage software—including HEC‑RAS, HEC‑HMS, HY8, XPSWMM, GEOPAK Drainage, and MicroStation—is essential for delivering hydraulic modeling, inlet spacing, pipe sizing, culvert analysis, bridge scour, and erosion‑control designs. Additional responsibilities include preparing reports, developing plans and special provisions, estimating, permitting, and coordinating with project and stakeholder teams. Minimum qualifications are a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or a related field, at least four years of drainage and site‑civil experience on DOT‑type projects, and hands‑on experience with the required software suite. Experience in hydrologic and hydraulic design of stormwater systems, including detention facilities, bridges, and culverts, is also required. Preferred qualifications include a Professional Engineering license in Illinois, Certified Floodplain Manager status, and proficiency with CADD tools such as MicroStation, Civil3D, or InRoads. Candidates should have experience preparing storm‑water management reports, IDOT drainage studies, IL‑Tollway concept reports, and SWPPP, as well as proven ability to lead design tasks and mentor junior staff. Strong written and oral communication skills and immediate U.S. work authorization are required. • Hold a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering or related discipline. • Possess at least four years of drainage and site‑civil experience on DOT projects. • Demonstrate proficiency with MicroStation and other CADD tools (Civil3D, InRoads). • Hold an Illinois Professional Engineering license and Certified Floodplain Manager credential (preferred). • Experience drafting storm‑water management and floodplain reports. • Exhibit strong written and oral communication skills. • Be authorized to work immediately in the United States.

Requirements

• ▸civil eng
• ▸4+ years
• ▸microstation
• ▸civil3d
• ▸illinois pe
• ▸hec‑ras

Benefits

WSP USA, the U.S. arm of a global engineering leader, employs over 15,000 professionals in more than 300 offices and delivers solutions across buildings, transportation, energy, water, and environment markets. The firm offers a flexible, agile workplace model and a comprehensive benefits package covering medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings. WSP is an equal‑opportunity employer and requires candidates to be authorized to work in the United States.

Work Environment

Office Full-Time