Hydropower Engineer | Dam Safety & Structural Design
Our organization is a forward-thinking leader in the energy consulting space, committed to pioneering sustainable power solutions. We partner with federal agencies, utilities, and EPC firms to tackle some of the most complex challenges in the renewable energy sector. You will join a team of distinguished professionals dedicated to excellence, innovation, and making a tangible impact on the nation's infrastructure.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead and execute comprehensive dam safety inspections and risk analyses, adhering to stringent federal guidelines (including USACE and Bureau of Reclamation standards).
- Develop and calibrate sophisticated hydrological and hydraulic models using industry-standard software like HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS for flow forecasting, flood inundation mapping, and dam breach analysis.
- Perform detailed structural analysis and design for new and existing hydro facilities—including concrete and steel structures, dams, penstocks, and powerhouses—utilizing advanced FEA software (such as RISA-3D or SAP2000).
- Conduct turbine selection studies, performance testing analysis, and feasibility assessments for turbine upgrades and modernization projects to enhance Annual Energy Production (AEP).
- Manage and support the complex FERC (Federal Energy Regulatory Commission) licensing and relicensing process, ensuring all technical documentation and compliance support are meticulously prepared.
- Investigate and design environmental mitigation solutions, such as fish passage structures (e.g., fish ladders) and sediment management plans, to minimize ecological impact.
- Utilize GIS for spatial analysis related to project siting, reservoir management, and environmental impact assessments.
- Prepare detailed engineering reports, technical specifications, and construction documents, communicating complex findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including geotechnical engineers, environmental scientists, and project managers, to deliver integrated and robust project outcomes.
Core Qualifications
- A Bachelor of Science degree in Civil, Structural, or a closely related engineering discipline is required. A Master's degree is highly preferred.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license in at least one state is mandatory.
- A minimum of 5-7 years of direct experience in hydropower engineering, with a strong portfolio of projects related to dam safety, structural design, and hydrological analysis.
- Demonstrated proficiency with essential engineering software, including HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and AutoCAD Civil 3D.
- Proven experience with Finite Element Analysis (FEA) software (e.g., RISA-3D, SAP2000, ANSYS) for complex structural evaluations.
- In-depth, practical knowledge of the FERC licensing process, dam safety regulations, and associated compliance requirements.
Preferred Skills
- Experience with advanced hydraulic modeling, including 2D modeling or computational fluid dynamics (CFD).
- Familiarity with geotechnical aspects of dam engineering, including seepage and stability analysis.
- Project management experience, with the ability to manage budgets, schedules, and deliverables for complex engineering projects.
- Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, capable of authoring compelling technical reports and presenting to diverse audiences.