Principal Hydraulic Engineer - Hydropower

Jacobs; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Jacobs in Malaysia seeks a Principal Hydraulic Engineer to lead design and due diligence for hydropower projects, delivering specialist hydrology and hydraulics expertise in a consultancy setting. You will manage feasibility studies, conceptual designs, technical specifications and tender documentation, while guiding implementation and stakeholder engagement across SE Asia.

Role includes Owner's Engineer duties, construction oversight, and close collaboration with regional teams to ensure safe,

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Hydraulic, or Water Resources Engineering.
• 10+ years in hydropower or water infrastructure, Malaysia or SE Asia.
• Strong skills in hydrology, hydraulic design, and modelling.
• Experience in technical advisory, design review, or due diligence.
• Familiarity with tropical hydrology and data-limited conditions.
• Experience working with local stakeholders (e.g., utilities, regulators) is an advantage.
• Strong client-facing and communication skills in a consulting environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead design and review of hydropower projects for feasibility and tender documentation.
• Perform technical reviews to ensure compliance with project requirements and industry standards.
• Conduct site inspections during construction and report progress.
• Act as Owner's Engineer and Lender's Technical Advisor for hydropower projects.
• Provide technical input on work from other engineers.
• Support other renewable energy projects within qualifications.
• Promote Jacobs' safety culture in all activities.
• Deliver projects within scope, budget, and schedule with clients and subcontractors.
• Contribute to bids and client meetings as SME.
• Collaborate with regional and global teams to share knowledge.

Skills

Hydrology

Hydraulic design

Modelling (HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, MIKE)

Technical advisory

Owner's Engineer liaison

Stakeholder liaison

Client-facing communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil, Hydraulic, or Water Resources Engineering

Tools

HEC-RAS

HEC-HMS

MIKE

Job description

Principal Hydraulic Engineer - Hydropower

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

The Principal Hydraulic Engineer is will support hydropower projects in Malaysia and across Southeast Asia, providing specialist hydrology and hydraulics expertise within a consultancy environment. The role focuses on technical advisory, design review, and due diligence for run-of-river and pumped storage projects, supporting developers, utilities, and financial institutions.

Responsibilities include:

• Design of hydropower projects in at least one technical discipline, including preparation and review of feasibility studies, conceptual designs, technical specifications, and tender documentation


• Perform detailed design reviews to ensure compliance with project requirements and industry standards


• Undertake construction-phase site inspections and report on quality and progress


• Act as Owner's Engineer and Lender's Technical Advisor for hydropower projects


• Provide technical input and review work completed by other engineers when required


• Support other renewable energy projects aligned with qualifications and expertise


• Promote Jacobs' safety culture and ensure safety considerations are integrated into all project activities


• Deliver projects within defined scope, budget, and schedule while maintaining effective communication with clients and subcontractors


• Contribute to bids and proposals and participate in client meetings as a technical subject matter expert


• Collaborate with regional and global teams to share knowledge and deliver high-quality solutions

Here's what you'll need

• Degree in Civil, Hydraulic, or Water Resources Engineering


• 10+ years of experience in hydropower or water infrastructure projects, preferably in Malaysia or Southeast Asia


• Strong skills in hydrology, hydraulic design, and modelling (e.g., HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, MIKE)


• Experience in technical advisory, design review, or due diligence roles


• Familiarity with tropical hydrology, high rainfall environments, and data-limited conditions


• Experience working with local stakeholders (e.g., TNB, Sarawak Energy, DID, regulators) is an advantage


• Strong client-facing and communication skills in a consulting environment

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Hirer responsiveness Salary match Number of applicants

Engineering & Project Management Services More than 10,000 employees

Jacobs. A world where you can

At Jacobs, we make the world smarter, more connected and more sustainable.

What drives you drives us as we work to build a better world - together. At Jacobs, every day is an opportunity to make the world better, more connected, more sustainable. We're powered by more than 50,000 people across the globe who deliver innovative scientific, technical, professional and program-management solutions for public and private clients around the world.

We're always looking for dynamic and engaged people to join our team. Bring your passion, your ingenuity and your vision. Let's see the impact we can create, together.

Jacobs. A world where you can

At Jacobs, we make the world smarter, more connected and more sustainable.

What drives you drives us as we work to build a better world - together. At Jacobs, every day is an opportunity to make the world better, more connected, more sustainable. We're powered by more than 50,000 people across the globe who deliver innovative scientific, technical, professional and program-management solutions for public and private clients around the world.

We're always looking for dynamic and engaged people to join our team. Bring your passion, your ingenuity and your vision. Let's see the impact we can create, together.

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