---
title: 'Designer I at McAdams'
canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/designer-i-mcadams-charlotte-north-carolina-qq839tret6ed'
type: 'job'
last_seen: '2026-09-13'
---

# Designer I at McAdams

- **Company:** McAdams
- **Location:** Charlotte North Carolina, United States
- **Posted:** 2026-09-09
- **Last confirmed live:** 2026-09-13
- **Apply:** https://job-boards.greenhouse.io/mcadams/jobs/5207146007

## Job description

McAdams is a full-service land planning, landscape architecture, civil engineering, transportation, and geomatics firm located in North Carolina, South Carolina, Texas, and Florida. We seek to partner with our clients to create meaningful experiences through inspired design. Our employees are what make McAdams different. We bring experiences to the forefront of everything we do, and to do that takes special people.

Position Overview

A Designer I (DI) will work as an integral part of a team to produce plans with a high degree of accuracy in a fast-paced environment. A DI will primarily work in a support role to assist the team with individual design elements of the project.

## Key Responsibilities

- Learn, apply, and uphold McAdams' CAD and design standards to ensure consistency and quality in plan production
- Set up comprehensive sheet packages for construction drawing plan sets, accurately incorporate internal and external redlines, and maintain precise documentation
- Compile detailed plan sheets, including standard notes, construction sequences, and relevant technical specifications to support project completeness
- Collaborate on conceptual designs and develop detailed site layout plans using due diligence documents to guide design accuracy and regulatory compliance
- Contribute to the development of both preliminary and final utility layouts, focusing on efficient water distribution and sanitary sewer infrastructure
- Assist in the creation of preliminary and final grading plans, generate 3D surface models, and conduct thorough earthwork volume analysis to ensure cost-effective project execution
- Utilize Civil 3D software proficiently to create and modify complex alignments, profiles, surfaces, and comprehensive pipe network designs
- Support storm drainage system planning and sediment/erosion control design efforts to align with environmental and project-specific requirements
- Act as a liaison by effectively communicating and coordinating tasks with various internal project teams to foster integrated project delivery
- Work collaboratively with the project team, following company standards from initial concept design through construction administration to achieve successful project outcomes
- Actively participate in team discussions, share insights, and contribute to a collaborative work environment that enhances the overall McAdams experience and promotes professional growth across departments
- Perform other duties as assigned

## Skills + Experience

- Four-year bachelor’s degree from an accredited program in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Biological and Agricultural Engineering, Civil Engineering Technology, or related field required
- 0 - 2 years of experience in civil engineering or related field preferred
- Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D preferred
- EI on path to PE preferred
- Strong attention to detail, effective communication skills, ability to work collaboratively, and willingness to learn
- Demonstrated ability to think critically and contribute to creative solutions for design challenges
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment

Work Environment + Physical Demands

The characteristics described below are representative of those encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. When properly requested and when feasible (without undue hardship to the company), reasonable accommodations will be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

- Work will primarily be in an office setting with limited opportunities to be exposed to adverse environmental conditions.
- Work will be primarily working with fingers by picking, pinching, typing, and grasping often with repetitive motion.
- Must have visual acuity for viewing a computer screen, the ability to talk, hear and sit for extended periods of time.
- Must be able to carry, lift and push/pull up to 5 pounds frequently and up to 30 pounds occasionally.
- Additional physical duties may be required as necessary.

McAdams is an equal opportunity employer.  All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard for race, color, religion, gender (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran's status, or any other legally protected status.

If you need assistance with our online application system process, please contact the Human Resources Team at 919.361.5000 or hrteam@mcadamsco.com.

Please read these notices for important information regarding applying for work with McAdams.

- [Know Your Rights: Workplace Discrimination is Illegal](https://mcadamsco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Know-Your-Rights_-Workplace-discrimination-is-illegal.pdf)
- https://mcadamsco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/E-Verify-Participation-Poster-English-and-Spanish.pdf
- https://mcadamsco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Right-to-Work-Poster.pdf

## About McAdams

## Company Overview
- **One-liner**: McAdams is a full-service civil engineering, land planning, surveying, landscape architecture, water resources, transportation, and construction administration firm that creates meaningful experiences through inspired design.
- **Entity Type**: Private (Privately Held)
- **Headquarters**: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
- **Founded**: 1979
- **Founders**: John McAdams

## Core Business
- **Primary industry/industries**: Civil Engineering, Land Planning, Landscape Architecture, Water Resources, Transportation, Geomatics, Construction Administration
- **Target customers**: B2B, serving municipal, education, healthcare, commercial, and residential development clients across 27 states
- **Mission or purpose statement**: "Meaningful experiences through inspired design" — bringing thoughtfulness to every detail to advance clients toward their vision while improving communities.

## Products & Services
- **Civil/Site Design**: Full-service civil engineering for land development projects, including site planning, grading, utility design, and stormwater management.
- **Water Resources**: Expertise in green stormwater infrastructure, floodplain management, watershed planning, and hydraulic/hydrologic modeling.
- **Transportation**: Planning, design, and construction administration for roadway, intersection, and multimodal transportation projects.
- **Planning & Urban Design**: Land planning, urban design, and community visioning services.
- **Geomatics**: Surveying, mapping, and geospatial data services including boundary, topographic, and construction staking.
- **Landscape Architecture**: Site design, streetscape, park, and greenway planning.
- **Construction Administration**: Construction observation, project management, and inspection services.

## Market Standing
- **Revenue**: Annual revenue of $38.4M (LinkedIn estimate)
- **Key Metric**: Total headcount of 436 employees (+6.4% YoY growth, +32 people)
- **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly available (privately held, bootstrapped growth since 1979)
- **Growth Signals**:
  - Offices across Florida, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Texas
  - Licensed in 27 states (AL, AZ, AR, CO, FL, GA, ID, IN, KY, LA, MD, MS, MO, MT, NE, NJ, NC, OH, OK, PA, SC, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV)
  - Active job postings: 66 (monthly +15.8%, quarterly +73.7%)
  - Recognized as a Zweig Group Hot Firm and Best Firms to Work For
  - Employee headcount grew 6.4% year-over-year

## Competitive Advantages
- **Multidisciplinary expertise**: Combines civil engineering, planning, landscape architecture, water resources, transportation, and geomatics under one roof, offering integrated solutions.
- **Culture and values**: Strong emphasis on collaboration, passion, creativity, and giving back through the McAdams SHARES initiative (2% of annual earnings donated to local charities focused on housing, hunger, childhood education, and environmental stewardship).
- **Tenure and reputation**: 46 years of consistent operation with a track record of delivering complex projects across multiple states.
- **Employee development**: 216 internal training courses, mentorship programs, and a Young Professionals Group (YPG) for early-career growth.
- **Award-winning workplace**: Consistently recognized as a "Best Place to Work" regionally (TBJ, CBJ) and nationally (Zweig Group).

## Strategic Focus
- **Growth and expansion**: Continuing to add talent across all disciplines and offices, with a particular focus on data center, municipal, and commercial development markets.
- **Talent development**: Deep investment in employee training, mentorship, and career pathing to retain top talent and build future leaders.
- **Community impact**: Strengthening the McAdams SHARES charitable initiative and deepening engagement with local communities.
- **Innovation in design**: Advancing expertise in green stormwater infrastructure, sustainable site design, and resilient infrastructure.

## Why Work Here
- **Culture**: McAdams is consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work, with a culture centered on collaboration, passion, creativity, and giving back. Employees describe the environment as supportive, innovative, and community-focused.
- **Career Development**: Offers 216 internal training courses, mentorship programs, and a Young Professionals Group (YPG). Interns receive dedicated mentors and work on real projects with real impact.
- **Employee Resource Groups**: Includes McAdams UNITED (diversity, equity, and inclusion), YPG (professional development for 0-5 year employees), and McAdams SHARES (philanthropy).
- **Company Trips**: Every employee receives an annual stipend for company trips, strengthening team bonds across offices and disciplines.
- **Work Environment**: Hybrid/office-based depending on role and location. Offices are located in Raleigh (HQ), Charlotte, and other cities across NC, SC, FL, and TX.
- **Notable Perks**: Annual company trip stipend, robust training library, charitable giving program, and a strong internal community.
- **Engineering Culture**: Emphasis on continuous learning, creative problem-solving, and technical excellence. Engineers work on diverse projects from site design to water resources to transportation.

## Sources
1. [mcadamsco.com](https://mcadamsco.com/)
2. [mcadamsco.com/about/about-us](https://mcadamsco.com/about/about-us)
3. [mcadamsco.com/experience-mcadams](https://mcadamsco.com/experience-mcadams)
4. [mcadamsco.com/about/people](https://mcadamsco.com/about/people)
5. [linkedin.com/company/mcadams](https://www.linkedin.com/company/mcadams)

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