Entry Level Civil Designer

KPFF’s Orange County Civil team is seeking a Civil Designer with 1–3 years of experience to join our Newport Beach office. You will contribute to a variety of land development and site design projects while developing hands-on experience in grading, drainage, utility design, permitting, and construction documentation. Working alongside licensed professional engineers and project managers, you will have opportunities to strengthen your Civil 3D skills, participate throughout the project lifecycle, and take on greater responsibility as your experience grows. 

Responsibilities 

• Contribute to civil design projects: Support the design and preparation of civil engineering plans, drawings, exhibits, and specifications for site planning, grading, drainage, utility, roadway, and infrastructure projects. 

• Prepare drawings, calculations, and documentation: Develop detailed drawings and design documents using AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and related tools; perform basic to intermediate design calculations; and assist with technical reports and project documentation. 

• Support site assessments and data collection: Participate in site visits to collect field data, verify existing conditions, document observations, and support design decisions. Assist with construction observations to confirm general conformance with design plans and specifications. 

• Assist with project coordination and permitting: Coordinate with project managers, engineers, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies to support schedules, submittals, permitting, and compliance requirements. 

• Apply design standards and regulations: Incorporate applicable codes, local agency standards, accessibility requirements, and construction standards into drawings and design deliverables. 

• Collaborate with project teams: Work closely with engineers and design staff to resolve design issues, integrate feedback, and produce accurate, high-quality deliverables. 

• Continue technical development: Stay current with Civil 3D workflows, drafting standards, design practices, and emerging tools that improve project efficiency and quality.