Civil Design Engineer

Job Title: Civil Design Engineer

Job Description

The Civil Design Engineer supports the planning, design, and delivery of construction and infrastructure projects by developing detailed civil designs, preparing project documentation, and collaborating closely with project teams and stakeholders. This role applies foundational civil engineering principles to create practical, buildable solutions and contributes to project success through strong technical skills, clear communication, and proactive problem solving. The position offers a clear pathway for growth into high-level observer and construction management responsibilities, with opportunities to gain certifications and develop into a local project leader.

Responsibilities

• Participate in project meetings and clearly communicate technical information related to assigned work.
• Develop complete project, system, and component designs to support construction and engineering efforts.
• Coordinate and manage the detailed tasks required to deliver high-quality engineering services on time and within scope.
• Prepare scopes of work, cost estimates, and schedules for a variety of engineering assignments.
• Produce comprehensive project documentation and deliverables that meet client and regulatory requirements.
• Engage with clients, contractors, regulatory agencies, and other stakeholders throughout project execution to support effective collaboration and decision making.
• Conduct technical evaluations or testing activities and interpret data to inform engineering decisions and recommendations.
• Identify engineering and construction issues, evaluate alternatives, and implement effective, practical solutions.
• Assist with the preparation of proposals and supporting materials to pursue new work or project funding opportunities.
• Work under broad direction while seeking guidance for unique, complex, or conflicting design and technical issues.
• Apply foundational civil engineering principles, standards, and methodologies to support the successful delivery of construction projects.
• observer and construction manager responsibilities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering.
• Minimum of one relevant internship in civil engineering or a closely related field.
• Foundational knowledge of civil design principles and standards.
• Experience or familiarity with civil design tools such as Civil 3D, OpenRoads, and MicroStation.
• Ability to perform civil and transportation design tasks under professional guidance.
• Strong motivation and problem‑solving abilities with a proactive, energetic approach to project work.
• Excellent communication skills, including the ability to produce high‑quality technical and analytical writing.
• Ability to work independently with a strong sense of responsibility and urgency to meet client expectations.
• Demonstrated commitment to continuous professional development and awareness of current industry practices.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Preferred Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or progress toward obtaining it.
• Experience or coursework in transportation design.
• observer and construction manager roles.
• A desire to grow into a local project leader through ongoing learning, feedback, and expanded responsibilities.
• Strong interpersonal skills for effective collaboration with clients, contractors, regulatory agencies, and internal project teams.

Work Environment

This position is primarily office-based, providing a professional environment focused on collaborative civil engineering design and project delivery. The role includes occasional field visits to project sites, offering direct exposure to active construction and infrastructure environments. Work is performed onsite in regional offices located in Urbandale or Cedar Rapids, with regular interaction among engineers, project staff, and external stakeholders. The environment supports hands-on learning, mentorship, and professional growth, with access to industry-standard civil design software and tools.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Des Moines, IA.

The pay range for this position is $60000.00 - $70000.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Des Moines,IA.

This position is anticipated to close on May 8, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.