Civil Designer / Engineer-in-Training (EIT)

We don't believe in stagnant roles. If you're not operating at a meaningfully higher level within 12–18 months, something isn't working — and we'll figure that out together long before then.

Before you get excited, we have to be straight with you.

This is not a firm where you'll disappear into a production team and produce drawings no one explains to you. But it's also not an easy ride. You will be expected to take ownership of your work, ask smart questions, and care about quality. You will be expected to show up ready to learn — and to be honest when you don't know something, rather than guessing your way through it.

We invest in people who invest in themselves.

If that's you — keep reading.

Skills & Qualifications

Here's what we believe is required to succeed in this role:

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field (required)
• EIT certification (required, or actively pursuing)
• 0–3 years of experience in site civil engineering or land development (new grads encouraged to apply)
• Proficiency or working knowledge of Civil 3D or comparable design software
• Basic understanding of site grading, drainage, and utility systems
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing accurate, complete work products
• Ability to take direction, ask good questions, and follow through independently
• Familiarity with Pacific Northwest jurisdictional requirements is a plus — not required

We're not just looking at your résumé. We're looking for someone with the right instincts — someone who cares about getting it right, communicates clearly, and wants to grow. Technical skills can be taught. Work ethic and judgment can't.

Who We Are

Big firms have more people. We have better ones.

We operate out of Bellingham and Arlington with a lean team of engineers and designers who run circles around the big regional players on local private development. Our land-use practice is deep, our clients keep coming back, and our work shows up in the communities around us.

If you want to learn fast, be challenged early, and work alongside engineers who will actually invest in your development — you're in the right place.

We are not a government agency. We are not a 200-person firm where junior staff spend years waiting for their turn. We are a small, high-performing team where what you do shows up — in the work, in the culture, and in the results we deliver for our clients.

Here, you'll see your designs get built. That's not something most designers at big firms can say.

The Axe Creed · Cutting Through Project Barriers

We find a way. Every time. No exceptions.

Most projects don't die because of bad engineering. They die because someone accepted “no” from an agency, a neighbor, a jurisdiction, or a process — and stopped pushing. We don't stop pushing.

Our pledge to every client: “we treat your project like it has our name on it — because it does.”

The words we live by. On every project. Every day.

Teamwork — We don't hand off. We collaborate all the way through. The best answer on any project comes from the whole team thinking together — engineers, designers, land-use, and client in the same room, working the same problem.

Freedom — Flexible schedules. Real work-life balance. We care about what you produce, not when you clock in. Do great work. Live a great life. Those two things aren't in conflict here.

Empowerment — Every person on this team has the authority to make decisions that move projects forward. You don't need three levels of approval to serve a client well. You need judgment — and we hire people who have it.

Sense of Urgency — Time is a competitive advantage — for our clients and for us. We return calls the same day. We turn comments fast. We don't let things sit. In this business, speed and quality aren't opposites. We deliver both.

Commitment to Client Satisfaction — We don't just meet expectations. We set them, then exceed them. If we make a promise, it's kept. If something goes sideways, we own it and fix it — no excuses, no finger-pointing.

If those resonate — you might belong here.

Who Thrives Here

You might be a fit if:

• You've redone something on your own time because you knew it wasn't right — even though no one would have noticed
• You ask “why” before you ask “how” — because you want to understand the problem, not just complete the task
• You're embarrassed by sloppy work — yours or anyone else's
• You've sought out feedback instead of waiting for a performance review
• You want to understand the whole project, not just your piece of it
• You're studying for your PE because you want to — not just because it's required

You're probably not a fit if:

• You're looking for a job where you can keep your head down and avoid accountability
• You wait to be told what to do next rather than looking for what needs to be done
• You think attention to detail is someone else's job
• You measure a good week by how little you were bothered, not how much you accomplished

What You Get

• Real Experience — Real project work from day one. No busywork, no back-bench production grind.
• Direct Mentorship — Mentorship from PEs who are invested in your licensure and your growth, not just your output.
• Compensation — Competitive compensation for your experience level — and meaningful increases as you grow.
• Growth Path — A clear path to PE-level responsibility. We promote from within and build roles around people who earn it.
• Work That Matters — Local projects you'll drive past and point to. Your work shows up in the real world, fast.
• Flexibility — We care about output, not when you swipe in. Results are the currency here.

Benefits

All benefits begin Day 1.

• 100% company-paid health, dental, and vision for all team members (option to add dependents)
• PTO, sick time, 7 paid US holidays, and flex-time which allows for unlimited PTO opportunities
• On-time direct deposit bi-weekly
• 401(k) option with company match

Ready?

Stop waiting for a firm that will actually invest in you.

If you've read this far and you're nodding your head — we want to hear from you. Send us your résumé and a brief note on something you've worked on that you're proud of. It doesn't have to be a landmark project. It just has to be real.

We're not looking for a perfect application. We're looking for the right person.