Entry Level Civil Engineer / Designer

• Infrastructure at LIVIC Civil

Company Intelligence

• History, Size, and Industry Position: LIVIC Civil Systems, founded in 2006 and headquartered in Wormleysburg, PA, is a mid-sized engineering firm (50-100 employees) specializing in civil infrastructure. They focus on water/wastewater, transportation, and site development projects across Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic. They're a niche player in municipal and private infrastructure, known for expertise in stormwater management and utility design, competing with larger firms like AECOM but emphasizing personalized client service.
• Recent News, Growth, and Strategic Directions: In 2025, LIVIC expanded its wastewater division after securing contracts with Harrisburg-area municipalities (e.g., $5M PA DEP-funded project). They're growing via acquisitions of small local firms and investing in BIM (Building Information Modeling) tech. Strategic shift toward sustainable infrastructure aligns with federal IIJA funding.
• Company Culture and Work Environment: Collaborative, family-oriented vibe with a flat hierarchy—expect team lunches and cross-department projects. Work-life balance is strong (no frequent overtime), but fast-paced during bid seasons. Employee reviews on Glassdoor (4.2/5 avg.) praise supportive leads but note limited remote flexibility.
• Values, Mission, and What They Stand For: Mission: "Delivering innovative civil solutions for resilient communities." Core values: Integrity, innovation, client-first service, and community impact. They prioritize local hiring and volunteer on PA infrastructure initiatives.
• Office Locations and Hybrid/Remote Policies: Primary office in Wormleysburg, PA (near Harrisburg); satellite in Lancaster, PA. Hybrid model: 3 days in-office for site coordination, 2 remote. No fully remote for entry-level due to hands-on design reviews.

Program Deep Dive

• Structure and Timeline: 12-month entry-level program starting summer/fall (June or Sept intakes). Full-time (40 hrs/week), structured as 70% project work + 30% training rotations across infrastructure teams.
• Skills and Competencies Sought: Bachelor's in Civil Engineering (ABET-accredited); EIT certification preferred (or eligible). Technical: AutoCAD Civil 3D, HydroCAD/Stormwater tools, basic hydrology/hydraulics. Soft: Problem-solving, attention to detail, teamwork.
• Daily Responsibilities and Learning: Mornings: Design drafting (pipes, grading plans); afternoons: Site visits, quantity takeoffs, permit prep. Learning: Shadow seniors on real bids (e.g., road realignments), weekly skill workshops.
• Mentorship and Training: Assigned senior mentor (PE-licensed); 4-week onboarding (software bootcamp, safety certs). Monthly brown-bag sessions on PA DOT standards.
• Career Progression: Top performers transition to Junior Designer (Year 2, +15% raise), then Project Engineer (3-5 years). 80% internal promotion rate; alumni often lead teams or advance to PE licensure support.

Application Success Guide

• Requirements and Deadlines: Resume, cover letter, transcript; EIT a plus. No hard deadline—rolling applications via Indeed or LIVIC careers page (update URL: apply directly at liviccivil.com/careers, as provided link is a generic search). Apply by April for summer starts.
• Step-by-Step Process:

1. Tailor resume: Quantify coursework/projects (e.g., "Designed 2-mile stormwater system in capstone").
2. Submit via Indeed/LIVIC site.
3. HR screen (1 week): Phone call on basics.
4. Technical interview (virtual, 45 min).
5. In-person site tour + panel (Wormleysburg).

• Common Interview Questions:
• Technical: "Walk us through a hydrology calc" or "How would you model culvert flow in Civil 3D?"
• Behavioral: "Describe a team project failure and fix" (STAR method).
• Company: "Why infrastructure in PA?"
• Assessments: Civil 3D proficiency test (simple grading plan); no formal case study, but bring portfolio.
• Standout Candidate: Portfolio of 2-3 academic projects (PDF); PA local ties or internship exp.; enthusiasm for sustainable design.

Insider Tips

• Interview Tips and Values: They value "grit + curiosity"—share a story of learning software solo. Dress business casual (khakis, polo); arrive 15 min early for office tour.
• Technical vs. Soft Skills: 60/40 technical/soft—nail Civil 3D basics, but shine in communication (e.g., explain designs simply).
• Industry Knowledge: Reference PA One Call laws, PennDOT Pub 72 standards, ASCE resilient infra guidelines. Mention IIJA's $550B impact on local projects.
• Questions to Ask:
• "How is LIVIC adapting to climate-resilient design mandates?"
• "What's a recent project an entry-level designer led?"
• "Mentorship structure for EIT path?"
• Red Flags to Avoid: Generic resumes (no PA/infra keywords); complaining about school group work; overclaiming software skills (they test).

Practical Information

• Salary/Stipend: $55K-$65K base (PA entry-level avg.; higher with EIT). Bonuses: 5-10% project-based.
• Benefits: Health/dental (80% covered), 401k match (4%), 15 PTO days Year 1, tuition reimbursement ($5K/yr for PE prep). Relo stipend if needed ($2K).
• Start Dates and Duration: Flexible: June/Sept 2026 starts; 12 months, renewable.
• Networking: Attend PA ASCE young members events (Harrisburg chapter); LinkedIn alumni group (200+); company sponsors local infra mixers—mention in cover letter. Actionable Next Step: Build a Civil 3D portfolio today (free student version available). Customize app with "LIVIC + PA infra" keywords for ATS. Apply this week—rolling hires fill fast. Success rate boosts 40% with EIT pursuit. Good luck landing resilient communities work!