Senior Coastal Engineer (Marine Lead)

Posting Date: 16 Oct 2026

City: Houston

Location:

Houston, TX, US, 77070 Chicago, IL, US, 60603 Lisle, IL, US, 60532 Fort Lauderdale, FL, US

Contract Type: Permanent

Division: Environmental and Engineering Geoscience

Level of experience: Senior

RINA is a global knowledge company where expertise travels across borders, disciplines, and industries. Every day, we collaborate on solving complex challenges that no single field could tackle alone. With a presence in more than 70 countries and 160 years of heritage, we turn individual know-how into collective progress.

We are currently recruiting for a Senior Coastal Engineer (Marine Lead) to join our office in Houston, TX, Fort Lauderdale, FL or Chicago/Lisle, IL within the Environmental and Engineering Geoscience Division.

Compensation Data

$140,0000 - $198,000 commensurate with education and experience.

Mission

Leads the maritime discipline for a strategic project, from design basis to construction close-out. Holds responsible charge for the marine engineering, seals the permit and construction drawings, agency-facing role with USACE Galveston District, the non-federal sponsor (Port Victoria) and the Coast Guard.

Key Accountabilities

Owns the maritime Design Basis, berth concept, dredge footprint and the engineering content of the Section 408 request and the Section 10 / 404 application. Leads the pre-application meeting.

Directs the marine detailed design, incorporates permit conditions, and coordinates structural, geotechnical, dredging and transfer systems into one issued-for-construction package.

Defines the marine work packages, writes the scopes of work, leads technical bid evaluation and clarifications.

Engineer of Record during construction: method statement review, design changes, field queries, acceptance of surveys and works, compliance with permit conditions.

First berthing and trial operations, as-built certification, USACE completion notification, operation and maintenance input.

Qualifications

Master's degree in coastal, environmental or civil engineering. A Bachelor's degree with relevant years of experience may be considered in lieu of education.
15+ years in coastal, port or waterway engineering, including at least one project taken from concept to construction, shallow-draft navigation channels, berth dredging, dredged material placement

Active Texas Professional Engineer licence (civil)

Gulf Coast barge or liquid bulk terminals, former USACE experience, Diplomate Coastal Engineering (D.CE)

Demonstrated Section 408 and Section 10 / 404 work, preferably with USACE Galveston District

ADDITIONAL QUALIFICATIONS

Ability to travel up to 50% to project site. Available for presence on site during marine construction
Valid driver’s license

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature of the work being performed. They are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required.

#LI-LS1

Capabilities

Marine planning and navigation: Design vessel and design barge selection, tow configurations, underkeel clearance criteria and light-loading rules; berth and approach layout in restricted waterways (PIANC guidance and USACE EM 1110-2-1611).

Coastal, metocean and hydraulic engineering: Design water levels including storm surge, sea level change to ER 1100-2-8162; Wind, current and wave criteria for mooring and structural loads; Scour, propwash and bank stability assessment; shoreline and bank protection concepts; Hydraulic effects of the works on the federal channel, as required by the Section 408 review.

Permitting and agency interface: Section 408 request: content, drawings against the federal project, engineering analyses; Section 10 and Section 404 application (ENG Form 4345), coordination of the 404(b)(1) alternatives analysis; Statement of No Objection from the non-federal sponsor; pre-application and review meetings

Construction supervision: review of contractor method statements, temporary works, marine traffic management and quality plans; survey control and acceptance criteria for dredging, pile positions and structure tolerances; site inspection, non-conformance handling, field design changes and as-built records; verification of compliance with permit conditions, environmental windows and monitoring requirements; progress measurement and support to payment certification

Close-out and operation: pre-commissioning and first barge or vessel call, trial berthing and mooring checks; as-built surveys and drawings, USACE notification of completion; maintenance dredging plan, inspection plan and operating limits handed to the terminal operator

Competencies

DOMAIN & BUSINESS ACUMEN - Applying a scientific approach and critical thinking in operations and solution development within area of expertise.
INTERPERSONAL INFLUENCE - Skills and strategies we use to interact effectively with others.
WORKPLACE DYNAMICS - Resourcefulness in shaping progress and working efficiently.
FORESIGHT & INSIGHT - Context awareness adopting a systemic perspective and informed decision making.
PERSONAL EMPOWERMENT - Ownership for life, work and results, striving to grow professionally and personally.

At RINA, your growth drives our innovation. We bring together engineers, inspectors, digital minds and specialists from more than 100 nationalities, creating an environment where diverse perspectives sharpen how we think, collaborate and deliver.

RINA North America provides a comprehensive benefits package, including the following insurance options: Medical, Dental, Vision, Medical Flexible Spending Account, Dependent Care Spending Account, Health Savings Account, Transit, Parking, Basic Life, Basic AD&D, Voluntary Life, Voluntary AD&D, Short-Term Disability, Long-Term Disability, Voluntary Accident, Voluntary Critical Illness, Identity Theft Protection, Pet Insurance, and Employee Assistance Program. Additional benefits provided include paid time off, company holidays, tuition reimbursement, nursery grant, travel resource services, and 401K plan with company discretionary match.

Flexibility and respect drive how we work. We are committed to building a workplace where every person feels valued, empowered to develop their potential, and safe from discrimination or harassment of any kind. It is the policy of RINA to provide equal employment opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy), national origin, age, disabilities, marital status, sexual orientation, genetics, military status, disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, other protected veterans (veterans who served during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a badge has been authorized), and Armed Forces service medal veteran, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. We are strongly committed to this policy and believe in the concept and spirit of the law.

RINA does not accept unsolicited resumes from search firms or agencies. Any resume submitted to any employee of RINA without a prior written search agreement will be considered unsolicited and the property of RINA. Please, no phone calls or emails.