Waterfront & Coastal Engineering Practice Leader

GEI Consultants, Inc. is seeking a Waterfront & Coastal Engineering Practice Leader for their Portland, ME office. The role involves leading diverse projects in marine infrastructure, coastal resilience, and waterfront planning. Candidates should have a B.S. in Structural or Civil Engineering, 15+ years of experience, and strong design skills. Responsibilities include project management, client engagement, and staff development. The position requires travel for site work.
Description

Your role at GEI.

At GEI, we’re passionate about designing resilient, sustainable, and inspiring waterfronts. From harbors and marinas to seawalls and dunes, our work protects and enhances some of the most iconic and vulnerable coastlines in New England and beyond.

We’re looking for an experienced Waterfront & Coastal Engineering Practice Leader to join our Portland, Maine office — a thriving coastal setting that blends professional challenge with everyday balance.

Essential Responsibilities & Duties

You’ll lead and contribute to a diverse range of projects, including:
• Marine infrastructure - ports, piers, marinas, ferry terminals, and waterfront facilities.
• Coastal resilience and stabilization - beach nourishment, dune restoration, living shorelines, seawalls, revetments, and bulkheads.
• Waterfront planning and adaptation - integrating climate change and sea level rise strategies into harbor improvement and community growth initiatives.
• Facility inspections and assessments - supporting in-house engineer-diver and drone teams to evaluate and rehabilitate critical structures.

You’ll lead, manage, and design projects in partnership with GEI’s nationwide team of structural, coastal, and environmental experts.

Your Impact
• Expand our waterfront and coastal engineering practice by cultivating new and existing clients and markets, while also cross-selling GEI’s core services across environmental, water resources, ecological, and civil engineering.
• Serve as a technical leader and mentor, support recruiting, staff development, and team management.
• Lead proposal development; maintain strong visibility in the marketplace through ongoing client engagement, participation in professional organizations, and presentations at industry events.
• Manage a variety of waterfront and coastal engineering projects.
• Develop and oversee project plans, schedules, and budgets.
• Serve as a technical lead for the design of waterfront structures, including preparation of construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and engineering reports.
• Contribute to strategic planning efforts at the office, regional, and national levels.

Minimum Qualifications
• Proven success in growing and leading practice, including mentoring and developing staff.
• B.S. in Structural or Civil Engineering (M.S. preferred).
• 15+ years of experience in structural, civil, or coastal engineering.
• Registered professional engineer in Maine, or ability to obtain within 6 months of joining GEI.
• Strong design experience in concrete, steel, timber, and aluminum structures.
• Familiarity with permitting at local, state, and federal levels.
• Experience managing interdisciplinary design teams.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills.
• A valid U.S. driver’s license and willingness to travel for site work (some overnight trips).
• Comfortable working outdoors in various weather conditions.

Preferred Qualifications
• Extensive experience in the Maine waterfront practice with a well-established professional network.
• Significant experience in the New England Region and a well-established professional network

We are GEI.

Some of the world’s most pressing problems – from climate change to sustainable development, to critical infrastructure and the future of our energy supply – need our brightest and diverse minds working together to create safer, more resilient communities for tomorrow.

We are technical experts, collaborators, and entrepreneurs who draw from diverse backgrounds to solve our clients’ most complex challenges.

With several offices across North America, we offer a range of engineering, science, and technical consulting services. Our range of expertise, project types, and culture make us the choice for top talent in the AEC industry. See all our office locations here.

Employee-owned. Employee-focused.

As an employee-owned company, our employees support our flat leadership structure, have a say in how our business operates and benefit from our financial success. We are committed to employee growth with career development opportunities, competitive total rewards, a well-being program, flexible work arrangements and more. Our company culture is driven by our 4 Cs – we are Client-Centered, Curious, Collaborative, and Community Minded – which support our focus on sustainability, safety, diversity, equity and inclusion. Get to know us better by visiting GEI’s career site here.

GEI’s Total Rewards Package Includes
• Market-Competitive Compensation, including Eligibility for an Annual Performance Bonus
• Comprehensive Benefits Program, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Disability and More
• Well-Being Program and Paid Parental Leave
• Commuter Benefits
• Hybrid Work Schedules and Cell Phone Stipends
• GEI University (GEIU) with Continuing Education Assistance and Tuition Reimbursement
• Connecting Conversation Program with a Focus on Professional Development and Opportunities for Advancement
• Support and Financial Rewards for Publication Awards, Professional Dues, and Professional Licenses
• Paid Holidays and Generous Paid Time Off Program
• Rewards and Recognition
• GEI-Funded Profit Sharing and 401(k)
• Opportunity to be an Owner and Shareholder (Learn more here)
• A Vibrant Culture that is Focused on Partnership, Sustainability, Giving Back to Our Communities and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
• And More…

Physical Requirements

WORK ENVIRONMENT

Functional Demands

Sedentary

Light

X

Medium

Other

Activity Level Throughout Workday (check one per row)

Physical Activity Requirements

Occasional

(0-35% of day)

Frequent

(33-66% of day)

Continuous

(67-100% of day)

Not Applicable

Sitting

1-2 hours

Standing

6-8 hours

Walking

3-5 hours

Climbing

0-1 hours

Lifting (floor to waist level) (in pounds)

0-30 pounds

Lifting (waist level and above) (in pounds)

0-10 pounds

Carrying objects

6-8 hours

Push/pull

0-1 hour

Twisting

1-2 hours

Bending

3-5 hours

Reaching forward

1-3 hours

Reaching overhead

0-1 hour

Squat/kneel/crawl

1-2 hours

Wrist position deviation

1-2 hours

Pinching/fine motor skills

2-3 hours

Keyboard use/repetitive motion

1-2 hours

Taste or smell (taste=never)

0-1 hour

Talk or hear

6-8 hours

Accurate 20/40

Very Accurate 20/20

Not Applicable

Near Vision

X

Far Vision

X

Yes

No

Not Applicable

Color Discrimination

X

Sensory Requirements

Minimal

Moderate

Accurate

Not Applicable

Depth perception

X

Hearing

X

Environment Requirements

Occupational Exposure Risk Potential

Reasonably Anticipated

Not Anticipated

Blood borne pathogens

X

Chemical

X

Airborne communicable diseases

X

Extreme temperatures

X

Radiation

X

Uneven surfaces or elevations

X

Extreme noise levels

X

Dust/particulate matter

X

Other (exposure Risks)

Usual workday hours:

X

8

X

10

12

Other work hours

GEI is an AA/equal opportunity employer, including disabled and veterans.