Stormwater Project Engineer 

Company: Ciorba Group
Location: Chicago, IL (or Peoria, IL; Crown Point, IN)
Work Schedule / Hybrid Model:

• In-office: Monday & Tuesday

• Remote (WFH): Friday

• One additional remote day (Wednesday or Thursday) flexibly scheduled with manager

• Alternative “compressed Fridays” policy: every other Friday off if 80 hours are completed in 9 days
  Salary Range (Base): $117,500 - $139,000 annually
  Total Compensation Range: Approximately $130,000 – $160,000+ (inclusive of bonus, benefits, ESOP, allowances, etc.)

Why Join Us? (Company Profile & Culture)

About the Firm
We are a people-first, full-service engineering firm with a legacy of over 95 years delivering practical, high-impact infrastructure solutions across the Midwest. Our portfolio spans water resources, roadway, structural, municipal, lighting/electrical, forensic engineering, and construction services. We pride ourselves on being nimble, collaborative, and deeply embedded in the communities we serve.

Our Mission & Values

• Community impact: We believe infrastructure is more than concrete and pipe — it's about building resilient, equitable, well-designed communities.

• Integrity & trust: We act honestly, transparently, and consistently to earn our clients’ trust.

• Lifelong learning: We invest in professional growth — whether through training, mentorship, cross-disciplinary exposure, or certifications.

• Work-life balance: We encourage rest, recharge, and time for what matters outside work.

• Inclusive culture: Diverse perspectives fuel innovation. We foster psychological safety, respect, and opportunity for all.

Growth & Ownership

• We’ve grown roughly 2× in size over the last decade, and expect continued expansion — this is a growth-driven role, not simply a backfill.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP): We have a long-term ownership mindset; every employee is aligned with overall firm success.

• We maintain a flat hierarchy with collaborative teams — your voice matters early and often.

• Robust mentorship & coaching program, with newly launched structure to pair junior, mid, and senior engineers across offices.

Work Environment & Perks

• Hybrid scheduling with flexibility tied to project needs and personal balance

• Every-other-Friday off option for employees who work 80 hours in 9 days

• Paid volunteer/“give-back” time to support causes you care about

• Continuing education funding, professional development budgets, and support for licensure/credentials

• Occasional team offsites, social events, anniversary celebrations, and recognition programs

• Competitive benefits package (health, dental, vision, 401(k) match, short/long term disability, etc.)

Position Overview

As a Stormwater Project Engineer I, you will join our Water Resources team as a technical lead on municipal and transportation stormwater infrastructure projects. You’ll also mentor junior team members, ensure high quality deliverables, and collaborate across disciplines. This is a high-visibility role, offering opportunities to shape design standards and build strong client relationships.

You will:

• Lead hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analyses of floodplains, floodways, bridge/culvert crossings

• Assess flood-prone zones, diagnose root causes, and develop alternative design solutions

• Design stormwater conveyance networks, detention systems, and BMPs (Green infrastructure, infiltration, etc.)

• Prepare erosion & sediment control and stormwater management plans

• Produce engineering calculations, technical reports, permit applications, construction plans, cost estimates, specifications, and details

• Oversee and QA/QC work of peers and junior engineers

• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams (transportation, structural, municipal, survey, permitting)

• Maintain client and regulatory relationships, represent the firm at client meetings, and manage scopes/budgets

• Mentor, coach, and develop junior engineers via training, reviews, and career path guidance

Key Qualifications & Required Skills

Required / Must-Have

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (ABET-accredited preferred)

• 8-12 years of experience in stormwater / water resources / drainage engineering

• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in Illinois and/or Indiana

• Proficiency with MicroStation; experience with AutoCAD a plus

• Experience with H&H modeling tools (e.g. HEC-RAS, SWMM, InfoWorks, XP-SWMM, etc.)

• Experience in municipal or DOT drainage design

• Strong writing, presentation, and client communication skills

• Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a team setting

• Valid driver’s license

Preferred / Nice-to-Have

• Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) credential

• Familiarity with Illinois and Indiana DOT and municipal stormwater design standards

• Experience leading small-to-medium engineering teams or task groups

• Exposure to permitting (USACE, local floodplain ordinances, IDNR, MS4, etc.)

• Experience in business development, proposals, or client growth

What Success Looks Like (First 12 Months)

• Lead at least one small-to-medium municipal stormwater design from concept through permit submittal

• Deliver technically sound H&H analyses and design recommendations with minimal rework

• Take ownership of QA/QC processes for junior staff output

• Foster growing relationships with clients and local agencies

• Contribute to internal standards/best-practices (templates, guidelines, lessons learned)

• Mentor junior engineers and participate in knowledge-sharing sessions

• Demonstrate alignment with our values — integrity, collaboration, learning, excellence

What You’ll Love (Why This Role Stands Out)

• Work on meaningful infrastructure projects that directly benefit communities

• A hybrid schedule that supports a healthy balance of in-office collaboration and focused remote work

• Ownership through ESOP — your success helps drive firm success

• High level of autonomy and opportunity to shape designs and approaches

• Supportive culture with genuine mentorship, cross-office exposure, and room to expand skill set

• A team-oriented environment — your colleagues will cheer for your success

Equal Opportunity & Commitment to Inclusion

We are proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. We take seriously the value that diverse voices bring to the table. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic. We welcome candidates from all backgrounds to apply and grow with us.

Location & Office Assignment

While the role is primarily based in Chicago, IL, we are open to candidates located (or willing to relocate) to Peoria, IL or Crown Point, IN offices. You will collaborate seamlessly with regional teams across offices and support cross-office project efforts.

How to Apply & Next Steps

Interested candidates should submit:

• A resume highlighting stormwater / water resources projects

• A cover letter describing your interest in the role, your career goals, and how your experience aligns

• Examples (or descriptions) of standout hydrology/hydraulic work (studies, models, design)

Top candidates will be invited for a virtual call, followed by in-person interviews, technical exercise(s), and meeting our leadership / team.

We aim to streamline the process and give feedback quickly — we respect your time.

Keywords & SEO Section

(Use in Indeed, LinkedIn, and other job boards to ensure strong visibility)

Keywords / Phrases:
Stormwater Engineer, Stormwater Project Engineer, Water Resources Engineer, Civil Engineer – Stormwater, Drainage Design, Hydrologic Hydraulic Modeling, HEC-RAS, SWMM, Stormwater BMP Design, Floodplain Analysis, Erosion & Sediment Control, Municipal Infrastructure, DOT Drainage, PE Licensed, Floodplain Manager, CFM, Hybrid Engineering Job, ESOP Engineering Firm, Midwestern Infrastructure, Illinois / Indiana Civil Engineering Position