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Entry-Level (Staff) Dam Engineer

Schnabel Engineering

Chattanooga, TNJob$68–95K/yrSeen 1w agoSeen in employer's feed 6 days ago

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At a glance

Compensation
$68–95K/yr
Location
Chattanooga, TN
Work Authorization
Not specified

Olive lists jobs from US employers, including remote roles you can work from the United States.

Requirements

Credentials this posting asks for.

Bachelor's degreeValid U.S. Driver's License

Job overview

Schnabel Engineering is seeking an entry-level Dam Engineer for its Chattanooga office. The role supports dam safety evaluations, engineering analysis and design, field investigations, rehabilitation, and construction support for dams and related water infrastructure. The engineer will work with experienced engineers and technical specialists, developing field and analytical skills while taking on increasing ownership of routine assignments.

Skills & qualifications

RequiredNice to have

Skills

Technical FundamentalsAttention to DetailCommunicationField WorkTravelDam EngineeringGeotechnical EngineeringWater ResourcesConstructionHeavy Civil InfrastructureHydraulic StructuresEngineering GeologyAutoCAD/Civil 3DArcGIS ProHEC-HMSHEC-RASGeoStudio

Qualifications

0-2 Years Relevant ExperienceBachelor's in Civil Engineering or RelatedABET-Accredited ProgramInternship, Co-Op, Research, or Professional ExperienceMaster's in Civil Engineering or RelatedEIT Certification or Ability to Obtain Within Six MonthsValid U.S. Driver's LicenseBackground CheckPre-Employment Drug Screening

Benefits

Medical Insurance
Dental Insurance
401(k) Match
Paid Time Off
Tuition Assistance
Parental Leave

Full job description

Description

Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in over 33 offices throughout the United States.

Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.

Benefit options include:

  • Medical insurance

  • Dental insurance

  • Flexible spending accounts

  • Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)

  • Short-term disability (100% company-paid)

  • Long-term disability

  • Supplemental life insurance

  • 401(k) and profit-sharing plan

  • Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)

  • Bonus program

  • Paid time off

  • 9 Paid Holidays

  • Wellness program

  • Professional development and tuition reimbursement

Job Description:

Schnabel's new Chattanooga office is seeking an Entry-Level Dam Engineer to join our dam engineering practice. This is an opportunity to join the Chattanooga team early in its growth, help establish our local dam engineering presence, and take on meaningful responsibility as the office grows while working directly with experienced dam engineers and technical specialists throughout Schnabel.

You will develop both field and analytical skills through projects involving embankment and concrete dams, spillways, outlet works, levees, and related water infrastructure. Assignments may include dam safety evaluations, engineering analysis and design, field investigations, rehabilitation, and construction support throughout the Southeast and across the United States.

Job Responsibilities:

  • Support dam safety inspections, field investigations, design, rehabilitation, and construction activities.

  • Collect and document field data during dam assessments, subsurface investigations, and construction-related assignments.

  • Perform engineering calculations and assist with analyses involving dam performance, geotechnical conditions, hydrology and hydraulics, hydraulic structures, and rehabilitation design.

  • Evaluate field, laboratory, and instrumentation data under the guidance of experienced engineers.

  • Prepare drawings, figures, calculation packages, technical memoranda, and portions of engineering reports.

  • Support preparation of plans, specifications, construction cost opinions, and other construction documents.

  • Assist with coordination and oversight of drilling, testing, and other field subcontractors.

  • Perform construction observation and documentation for dam rehabilitation and other heavy civil projects.

  • Collaborate with engineers, geologists, and technical specialists in Chattanooga and throughout Schnabel's national practice.

  • Take increasing ownership of routine engineering and field assignments as your experience and technical judgment develop.

Required Skills/Experience:

  • 0-2 years of relevant professional experience.

  • Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or a related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program.

  • Strong technical fundamentals and attention to detail.

  • Ability to communicate clearly, document work carefully, and respond constructively to technical review.

  • Interest in developing both field and analytical engineering skills.

  • Willingness and ability to perform field work and travel for project assignments.

Preferred Skills/Experience:

  • Internship, co-op, research, or professional experience involving dams, geotechnical engineering, water resources, construction, or heavy civil infrastructure.

  • Coursework or experience in dam engineering, geotechnical engineering, water resources, hydraulic structures, or engineering geology.

  • Master's degree in Civil Engineering or a related discipline.

  • EIT certification or ability to obtain certification within six months of hire.

  • Familiarity with engineering software such as AutoCAD/Civil 3D, ArcGIS Pro, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, GeoStudio, or similar programs.

Other Requirements:

  • Must possess a valid U.S. driver’s license as driving is an essential function of the job

  • Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record and credit check

  • Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening

The compensation range for this position is between $68,000 to $95,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.

For further information, please review the Know Your Rights (https://www.eeoc.gov/poster) notice from the Department of Labor.

How this job compares

Set against the 5,126 open Civil Engineer jobs on Olive Jobs, counted November 4, 2026.

Pay
  • This posting$68–95K/yr
  • Tennessee median$91–152K/yr46 salary ranges
  • US median$91–145K/yr2,855 salary ranges

This range's midpoint, $82K, is 32% below the Tennessee median midpoint ($120K) — in the lowest quarter of Civil Engineer salary ranges in Tennessee.

Openings
Olive Jobs lists 115 open Civil Engineer jobs in Tennessee and 5,126 across the US. 4% of them nationwide are listed as remote or flexible.
Hiring the most in Tennessee
Experience
This posting asks for no prior experience — less than three in four Civil Engineer postings that state a minimum ask for (median 6 years, across 4,147 postings).
Education
This posting asks for a bachelor's degree; 3,887 of the 5,126 open Civil Engineer jobs (76%) ask for a bachelor's degree or higher.

Counted across the open, public US postings on Olive Jobs on November 4, 2026. Pay medians are the middle values of the low ends and of the high ends of postings that list both ends of a range in the same cadence (a yearly salary or an hourly rate); a range's midpoint is halfway between its ends. Pay and experience figures resting on fewer than 20 postings are left out.

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