Civil Project Engineer

About the role

KPFF's Los Angeles Civil team is expanding its presence in the greater Denver area, and we are looking for a Civil Project Engineer who is excited to help us build what comes next.

This is a unique opportunity to join an established civil engineering practice while playing an early role in growing our presence across the Denver metropolitan area and supporting projects throughout Colorado. You will work closely with our LA Civil team and other KPFF colleagues based in Denver, bringing your knowledge of local agencies, permitting processes, and civil/site design while contributing to projects of varying size and complexity.

We are looking for someone with hands-on experience delivering civil engineering projects in the Denver market. You should be comfortable navigating local permitting requirements and contributing directly to grading, storm drainage, utility infrastructure, and hydrology-related design.

Just as importantly, we are looking for someone who is excited by the opportunity to help build a growing practice and is comfortable taking on a range of responsibilities as the team develops.

What You'll Be Doing

• Design and support the delivery of civil/site development projects from early planning and feasibility through permitting and construction.
• Prepare grading, drainage, stormwater, utility, and related civil design plans and calculations.
• Contribute to hydrology studies, drainage analyses, and stormwater modeling.
• Prepare Civil 3D models and design documentation, including surfaces, alignments, pipe networks, utility layouts, and earthwork analyses.
• Navigate permitting and approval processes across the greater Denver area, coordinating with applicable municipalities, agencies, and reviewing authorities.
• Research and apply local design criteria, development requirements, and agency standards.
• Coordinate with clients, architects, consultants, agencies, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Support higher education, healthcare, institutional, campus, and other civil/site development projects of varying size and complexity.
• Take ownership of assigned technical work while coordinating schedules, deliverables, and priorities with project managers.
• Collaborate with the broader LA Civil team while helping establish KPFF's civil practice and project presence in Colorado.
• Share your knowledge of the local market and contribute to client relationships as your interests and experience grow.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related field.
• Approximately four or more years of relevant civil/site development experience. We are more interested in the depth of your technical experience and level of responsibility than a specific number of years.
• Hands-on experience delivering civil engineering projects in the greater Denver area, including familiarity with local agencies, municipalities, jurisdictions, and review processes.
• Demonstrated experience preparing and coordinating permit submittals and responding to agency review comments.
• Strong civil/site design experience, including grading, storm drainage, utility infrastructure, and hydrology.
• Experience contributing to projects of varying size, scope, and technical complexity.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD.
• Experience communicating and coordinating with clients, agencies, consultants, and multidisciplinary project teams.
• Strong organization, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to take ownership of technical assignments while working collaboratively with remote and local team members.
• Interest in contributing to the development of a growing civil engineering practice in Colorado.

Preferred Qualifications

• Working proficiency with Civil 3D, including surfaces, alignments, pipe networks, utility design, and earthwork analysis.
• Experience with hydrology, drainage, or stormwater modeling software.
• Experience with master planning, due diligence, and feasibility studies.
• Experience supporting institutional, higher education, healthcare, campus, or similar projects.
• PE license or active progress toward professional licensure.
• Working knowledge of Bluebeam and Microsoft Office.

Additional Information: Why This Opportunity Is Different

You will not be stepping into a narrowly defined role or an established Denver Civil office where everything has already been decided. You will have an opportunity to help shape how we grow.

At the same time, you will not be building it alone. You will be part of an established LA Civil practice with experienced engineers, project managers, and leaders to collaborate with, along with a growing group of KPFF colleagues already based in Denver. As our local project base develops, you will have opportunities to contribute to existing LA Civil projects while helping us establish new relationships and work in the Denver market.

For someone who enjoys engineering, values collaboration, and is energized by the opportunity to help build something, this role offers room to make a meaningful impact early.

Work Environment

This is a hybrid position based in Denver, Colorado. You will work from KPFF's Denver office and collaborate regularly with colleagues in Los Angeles and across the firm.

Periodic travel to Los Angeles is expected for team meetings, professional development, and other opportunities to connect with the broader LA Civil team.

Benefits, Compensation, and Culture

KPFF is an employee-owned firm where your contributions and professional growth matter. Our decentralized structure gives local teams the autonomy to make decisions close to their clients and communities while providing access to the resources, stability, and expertise of a national organization.

• As we grow our presence in Denver, you will have opportunities to take meaningful ownership of your work and contribute to the development of the local team.
• We support long-term career growth through mentorship, technical learning, leadership opportunities, and increasing responsibility.
• Our benefits are designed to support employees both professionally and personally.

Our benefits include

• Medical Insurance: Choose between a traditional Open Access Plus (OAP) medical plan or a high-deductible OAP plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Health Savings Account Contribution: KPFF contributes $50 per paycheck to the HSA for employees enrolled in the eligible high-deductible medical plan
• Dental and Vision Insurance: KPFF pays the employee premium for dental and vision coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts: Access to Healthcare and Dependent Care FSAs for eligible pre-tax expenses
• Employer-Paid Insurance: KPFF provides short-term and long-term disability, life insurance, accidental death and dismemberment coverage, and travel accident insurance
• Employee Assistance Program: Confidential resources and support for employees
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: KPFF automatically contributes 3% of your base salary, with no employee contribution required. Employer contributions are immediately vested, and employees may also make pre-tax or Roth contributions.
• Paid Time Off: Vacation and personal and sick time, with vacation accrual increasing based on tenure
• Paid Holidays: Company-observed holidays plus two floating holidays each year
• KPFF Paid Family Leave: Up to six weeks of paid family leave per year after meeting eligibility requirements
• Paid Overtime: At KPFF, you are compensated for every hour you work. If you choose to work overtime, you may choose to "bank" your overtime hours for future time off or have them paid out monthly

Compensation

The base salary for this role is competitive and will be determined based on the candidate's experience, education, and skills. The expected range for a qualified candidate with at least four years of experience is $ $90,000 - $115,000. Additionally, we offer performance-based bonuses to recognize and reward outstanding contributions in each Reporting Center. During the interview process, we'll address any questions you may have about the overall compensation package and benefits.

How to Apply

Apply through the KPFF Careers page or this link. Applications will be accepted through November 30, 2026

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