Entry-Level Civil Design Engineer at Freyer & Laureta, Inc. Freyer & Laureta, Inc. is a boutique civil engineering firm specializing in infrastructure design, land development, and stormwater management. This entry-level role targets students/recent grads (18-25) with civil engineering or related degrees, offering hands-on design experience in a smaller firm environment. Note: The linked ZipRecruiter posting is a general aggregator listing (as of Feb 2026); direct applications go through the company's site or email. Freyer & Laureta emphasizes practical, project-based learning for juniors entering civil engineering.

Company Intelligence

• History, Size, Industry Position: Founded in 1985 by principals Freyer and Laureta, the firm has 25-50 employees (small-mid size). Based in the Bay Area, it focuses on municipal infrastructure, site civil design, and environmental engineering for public/private clients. Strong niche in California water resources and urban development; not a national giant like AECOM but respected locally for responsive, high-quality delivery on mid-scale projects (e.g., parks, roads, flood control).
• Recent News, Growth, Strategic Directions: Steady growth post-2020 via Bay Area infrastructure boom (e.g., Sea Level Rise Adaptation Program contracts). Expanded stormwater modeling services in 2024-2025 amid CA climate regs. No major layoffs; hiring for 5-10 roles in 2026 due to ABAG/MTC-funded projects. Strategic pivot to BIM/Revit integration and sustainable design (LEED-aligned).
• Culture and Work Environment: Collaborative, family-like vibe in a flat hierarchy—expect direct principal access. 40-50 hour weeks, project-driven pace. Bay Area office fosters mentorship; remote noted for 1-2 days/week post-onboarding.
• Values, Mission, What They Stand For: "Engineering with integrity for resilient communities." Prioritizes sustainability, client trust, and innovation in civil challenges like seismic/erosion control.
• Office Locations and Policies: HQ in San Francisco, CA (Embarcadero area satellite possible); Oakland field office. Hybrid: 3 days in-office min. for juniors; full remote rare but negotiable for modeling tasks.

Program Deep Dive

• Structure and Timeline: 12-month entry-level program (full-time, salaried). Starts quarterly (next: April/July 2026). Phases: 3 months training/shadowing, 6 months independent tasks, 3 months project lead under supervision.
• Skills/Competencies Sought: BS/MS in Civil Engineering (ABET-accredited). Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D, HydroCAD/HEC-RAS (or quick learner). Fundamentals: grading design, hydrology, surveying basics. GPA 3.0+; EIT certification a plus.
• Daily Responsibilities and Learning: Mornings: Design calcs/modeling (pipes, detention basins). Afternoons: Site visits, plan reviews, client mtgs. Learning: Real projects from day 1 (e.g., residential subdivisions, public streets). Exposure to full lifecycle: concept to permitting.
• Mentorship/Training: Paired with senior engineer (weekly 1:1s). In-house Civil 3D bootcamp (2 weeks); PE prep support. Access to ASCE webinars.
• Career Progression: 70% convert to full-time post-program. Path: Designer (1-2 yrs) → Project Engineer (3-5 yrs) → PM/Principal track. Alumni at SF Public Works, larger firms like Stantec.

Application Success Guide

• Requirements/Deadlines: Resume, cover letter, transcript. Portfolio (CAD samples) optional but recommended. No hard deadline—rolling via ZipRecruiter/email (jobs@freyerlaureta.com); apply by March 2026 for summer start. US work authorization required.
• Step-by-Step Process:

1. Tailor resume: Quantify coursework/projects (e.g., "Designed 50-acre drainage system reducing flood risk 30%").
2. Cover letter: 1-page, reference a Freyer project (e.g., recent Oakland park).
3. Submit via link or direct email.
4. Phone screen (15 min).
5. Technical interview (1 hr virtual/in-person).
6. Offer within 2 weeks.

• Common Interview Questions:
• Technical: "Walk through a stormwater calc using Rational Method." "How would you handle a grading conflict with zoning?"
• Behavioral: "Describe a team project failure and fix." "Why civil design in SF Bay (seismic/climate)?"
• Assessments: Civil 3D take-home (design a simple culvert, 4 hrs). No formal case study; focus on fundamentals.
• Standout Candidate: GitHub with personal Civil 3D scripts; internship at Bay Area firm; knowledge of SF stormwater ordinance (Prop O).

Insider Tips

• Interview Tips/What They Value: Principals grill on basics—practice verbalizing calcs without software. They prize curiosity over perfection; admit knowledge gaps but show problem-solving.
• Technical vs Soft Skills: 60/40 technical/soft. Must-haves: Civil 3D fluency. Differentiators: Communication (explain designs to non-tech), adaptability (field pivots).
• Industry Knowledge: Cite CA regs (CEQA, NPDES), Bay Area specifics ( liquefaction, 2100 sea rise). Read their site projects.
• Questions to Ask:
• "What's a current challenge on municipal projects?"
• "How does the team incorporate AI in hydrology modeling?"
• "Path for juniors to PE licensure here?"
• Red Flags: Generic apps ("excited to learn anything"). Overclaiming software skills (they test). Poor attitude on fieldwork.

Practical Information

• Salary/Stipend: $75K-$90K base (entry-level Bay Area civil eng.; higher with EIT). OT eligible.
• Benefits: Health/dental (80% covered), 401k match (4%), 15 PTO days, $2K training budget. No stipend (salaried).
• Start Dates/Duration: Flexible quarterly; 12 months standard, extendable.
• Networking/Alumni: Small alumni network via LinkedIn (search "Freyer Laureta alumni"); attend SF ASCE young members events. Firm hosts annual intern showcase for client intros. Actionable Next Steps: Download Civil 3D student trial today—build a sample subdivision plan. Network on LinkedIn with 2-3 employees (personalize: "Inspired by your Oakland flood project"). Apply this week; follow up in 5 days. Success rate high for prepared locals (80% interview callback). This role accelerates PE path faster than big firms due to hands-on volume.