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Civil Engineer / Project Lead

Civil Engineer / Project Lead

The ValCap Group, LLCDallas, TX, US
7 hours ago
Job type
  • Full-time
Job description

Job Description

Role Summary

ValCap Group is seeking a hands-on Civil Engineer / Project Lead to turn raw sites into viable, permit-ready projects. You’ll own conceptual site planning across multiple use cases (self storage, townhomes, single-family lots, multifamily, retail, industrial), build credible cost estimates (soft and hard costs), lead bidding and vendor selection, and coordinate rezoning, entitlements, and approvals with municipalities and utilities. You’ll be our in-house point person for moving a concept from first sketch through approvals—and advising when not to proceed.

What You’ll Do

  • Concept Development & Site Planning
  • Produce multiple concept site plans per property, exploring density, access, parking / loading, stormwater, grading, and utility feasibility.
  • Create test fits / yield studies and iterate quickly to compare uses.
  • Feasibility & Costing
  • Build order-of-magnitude to Class 4 / 3 cost estimates covering hard (earthwork, utilities, paving, structures) and soft (A / E, surveys, traffic, geotech, permits, impact fees, utility taps) costs.
  • Develop and maintain assumption books (unit costs, productivity, contingencies) and risk registers per concept.
  • Entitlements & Approvals
  • Lead rezonings, variances / CUPs, site plan approvals, plats, utility coordination , and public hearings.
  • Prepare submittal packages, respond to agency comments, and manage review cycles to decision.
  • Bidding & Vendor Management
  • Draft scopes and bid out surveys, geotech, traffic, environmental, architecture, and civil subconsultants; evaluate proposals and negotiate terms.
  • Prequalify and solicit GC / sitework bids at the appropriate stage; level bids and recommend awards.
  • Project Leadership & Communication
  • Build and drive critical path schedules from concept through permit.
  • Run weekly check-ins; maintain decision logs, budgets, and dashboards.
  • Coordinate closely with acquisitions, finance, and asset teams to align on returns and risk.

Qualifications

  • BS in Civil Engineering (or related). PE license preferred (or EIT on track).
  • 5–10+ years in site / civil design and development for one or more : self storage, residential (townhome / SFR lots / multifamily), retail, or industrial .
  • Direct real estate development (owner / developer side) experience strongly preferred.
  • Proven experience taking sites through entitlement and permitting with local municipalities / utilities.
  • Demonstrated ability to produce conceptual plans and credible cost estimates .
  • Comfortable leading RFPs / bids , leveling proposals, and negotiating consultant / contractor scopes.
  • Working knowledge of stormwater (SWPPP, detention / retention), grading, access / traffic, and utility design constraints.
  • Proficiency in AutoCAD / Civil 3D , plan reading / markups; strong Excel skills.
  • Comfortable with CAD and Civil 3D training (receiving or providing); commitment to ongoing skills development.
  • Excellent communicator who can present options, tradeoffs, and clear recommendations.

    • Nice to Have

  • PE in [State]; ability to obtain reciprocity as needed.
  • Experience with public meetings / community outreach and hearing testimony.
  • Familiarity with pro formas and sensitivity to development returns (IRR / ROC).
  • Exposure to construction administration and field observation.

    • Success Metrics (KPIs)

  • Concept throughput : ≥3 viable site concepts per property within 30 days.
  • Estimate accuracy : ±20–30% at concept stage; improve as data matures.
  • Schedule adherence : Hit key entitlement milestones within ±10% of baseline.
  • Bid competitiveness : ≥2–3 qualified bids per key scope; ≤5% variance after leveling.
  • Stakeholder satisfaction : Positive feedback from muni reviewers and internal teams.

    • First 90 Days

  • Audit existing sites; create constraints maps and preliminary test fits for each use case.
  • Stand up a cost database and template estimate for each asset type.
  • Publish an approval roadmap per site (rezoning / variance / plat / site plan steps).
  • Run at least one RFP for a priority subconsultant package and level the bids.

    • Compensation & Benefits

  • Base : $100,000–$140,000 depending on experience.
  • Bonus : 10–20% tied to milestones (entitlement wins, permit-ready dates, budget / schedule adherence).
  • Benefits : medical / dental / vision, PTO

    • Travel & Work Model

  • In-person in Dallas, TX, 5 days / week.
  • Travel as needed for site walks, agency meetings, vendor visits, and support in other markets.
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    Project Civil Engineer • Dallas, TX, US