Engineering, environmental and construction recruiting
Building teams
to build the future
We recruit for civil and structural engineering firms, environmental consultants and construction companies.
If you’re hiring, we’ll find people who fit. If you’re looking, we’ll be straight with you about what’s out there.
What would you like to do today?
Approach
A people-first approach to recruiting
Industry expertise
Tailored solutions
One size doesn’t fit all. We learn your company’s specific needs and culture, then build a recruitment plan that fits your business.
Comprehensive network
Featured roles
We've been on the job site, not just behind a screen
We know what good looks like on a project because we’ve been around enough of them. That’s what we look for when we talk to candidates.
Three industries. That's it.
We know the work because we’ve been around it
We only recruit in civil and structural engineering, environmental consulting and construction.
Sticking to what we know means we can talk shop with candidates, spot a real fit quickly, and give you an honest read on pay and who’s hiring.
Hire civil and structural engineers
Hire environmental consultants
Hire construction professionals
Hiring with us
Every search is a little different.
Maybe you need one senior PM. Maybe you’re staffing up for a run of new projects, or you want a second opinion on why good candidates keep walking away. Tell us what’s going on and we’ll tell you honestly how we can help, and whether we’re the right fit.
Meet the founder
Chase Squires
Executive Recruiter
Chase founded Southern Search in 2024 with a simple belief: the right hire isn’t just a resume match. It’s the right person, motivated by the right things, at the right moment in their career. Southern Search partners with civil and structural engineering firms, environmental consultancies, and general contractors to fill the roles that move their business forward, from Project Managers and Directors of Preconstruction to Principal Engineers and Practice Leaders.
Chase built his career in consultative sales and technical recruiting at Spencer Ogden, rising from Senior Recruiter to Manager. There, he earned Rookie of the Year and multiple awards. After moving to Florida, he spent time in medical sales, but he missed the relationships and the impact he had on people’s careers. He came back to recruiting as Regional Talent Manager for a startup’s Florida operations, and then built Southern Search to do it his way.
Every search at Southern Search is run personally by Chase; no hand-offs, no resume pushing. Just a direct, honest partner who takes the time to understand what a firm actually needs and what actually motivates a candidate to move. Based in Tampa Bay, Chase works with clients across Florida, the Southeast, and nationally.
As a former collegiate athlete, Chase brings the same competitive drive to every search. When he’s not on the phone, you’ll find him in the gym or on the golf course.
Insights
Advice for hiring and job seeking
How to hire faster without settling
Simple ways to tighten up your interviews and offers so you stop losing good candidates to slower processes.
What to ask before you take a superintendent job
The questions experienced supers wish they’d asked before their last move.
2026 construction & engineering salary guide
What people are actually getting paid in project management, engineering and environmental consulting.
Frequently asked questions
We specialize in recruitment across engineering firms, environmental consultancies, general contractors, developers and specialty contractors, and specialty trade contractors across the Southeast.
Project managers, superintendents, estimators, civil and structural engineers, environmental scientists and consultants, preconstruction leads, and senior leadership up to the executive level.
Most take two to four weeks. Senior and highly specialized roles can take longer because there are fewer people who fit. We’ll give you a realistic timeline up front.
Yes. Some of our best placements were people who weren’t looking. A conversation costs you nothing, and we’ll keep it confidential.