Design Engineer (GI)

As extreme weather events become more frequent, resilient surface and subsurface drainage systems are essential to New York City’s future. The NYC Department of Design and Construction (DDC) is seeking an innovative Design Engineer to join the Area-wide Green Infrastructure (GI)/ Cloudburst Management team.

Reporting to an Engineer-in-Charge, you will play a hands-on role in shaping climate adaptation across the five boroughs leading and reviewing designs for Area-wide Green Infrastructure (GI), Cloudburst Management, and integrated roadway, water, and sewer capital projects. This role offers a balance of in-depth technical design, field engineering investigations, and consultant oversight, allowing you to advance sustainable stormwater management from concept to delivery.

What You Will Do

Engineering Analysis & Design

• Perform engineering investigations, hydrologic/hydraulic assessments, and feasibility studies for green infrastructure and cloudburst mitigation assets.
• Perform comprehensive desktop analysis including the utilization of Cyclomedia Street Smart.
• Develop, review, and refine detailed engineering drawings, specifications, quantity take-offs, and construction cost estimates.
• Deliver constructible, code-compliant designs independently with minimal supervision while adhering to City capital project standards.

Consultant Management & Quality Assurance

• Oversee engineering design consultant contracts, tracking deliverables, milestones, and design schedules.
• Perform rigorous interagency design reviews to ensure alignment across stormwater capture goals, existing subsurface utility corridors, and surface streetscapes.

Field Investigations & Technical Reporting

• Conduct field investigations and geometric assessments of existing surface/subsurface conditions across the five boroughs.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports, engineering memos, and design documentation to support capital approvals and stakeholder engagement.

Coordination & Stakeholder Communication

• Collaborate dynamically across internal DDC teams (such as Other Infrastructure Design units, Program Management, Geotechnical, and Utility Coordination) to leverage cross-disciplinary engineering knowledge, resolve complex technical challenges, and accelerate capital project delivery.

• Coordinate directly with private utilities and external partner agencies, including the NYC Department of Environmental Protection (DEP), Department of Transportation (DOT), and NYC Parks, to secure design approvals, resolve utility conflicts, and seamlessly integrate green infrastructure assets with broader roadway, water, and sewer capital projects.

Innovation & Technology

• Evaluate and champion innovative materials, sustainable design practices, and emerging technologies to maximize stormwater management and climate resilience.

• Leverage advanced digital tools and explore the responsible application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and automated workflows to streamline administrative processes, and document review efficiency.

Educational credentials must be from a U.S. Department of Education-recognized accredited institution. Credentials from foreign institutions require independent equivalency verification from an approved evaluation service. A list of providers (fees apply) is available at: https://www.nyc.gov/assets/dcas/downloads/pdf/employment/nyc-dcas-foreign-education-evaluationguide.pdf.

1. A baccalaureate degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university and one year of fulltime satisfactory experience in civil engineering work; or

2. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university in civil engineering technology and three years of full-time satisfactory experience in civil engineering work; or

3. A baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university and a master’s degree in civil engineering from an accredited college or university.

Preferred Skills

Please note the Preferred Skills & Qualifications 1. Domain & Design Expertise: Working knowledge of urban stormwater management, Green Infrastructure (bioswales, rain gardens, permeable pavements), Cloudburst management concepts, and wet utility (water and sewer) design. 2. Standards & Specifications: Familiarity with NYCDEP standard sewer and water specifications, NYCDOT and NYSDOT street design guidelines, NYC Highway Rules, MUTCD, and AASHTO design criteria. 3. CADD & Technical Software: Proficiency in AutoCAD and Microsoft 365 is required hands-on experience with Bluebeam Revu, Autodesk Revit, or Civil 3D is preferred. 4. Project Oversight & Estimation: Experience performing quantity take-offs, preparing construction cost estimates, and coordinating design submissions with external engineering consultants. 5. Credentials: Possession of an Envision Sustainability Professional (ENV SP) credential from the Institute for Sustainable Infrastructure (ISI), or an active Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, is strongly preferred. 6. Communication & Collaboration: Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills, with proven ability to draft clear technical reports and coordinate across multiple agency partners. 7. Documentation: Strong organizational skills, including maintaining project files, trackers, and submission logs attention to detail in document control and version management and the discipline to keep records current and accurately filed.