Dam Computational Modeling Technical Lead

HDR; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 130,000 - 186,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an experienced Senior Structural Engineer to supervise and perform advanced structural analyses for dam and hydraulic projects. You will lead multi-disciplinary teams, coordinate design, review calculations, and mentor junior staff.

Required 10+ years of experience, PE license, and proficiency with SAP2000, ANSYS, Abaqus, and other tools. HDR offers a collaborative, employee-owned culture and competitive compensation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering is required.
• Minimum of 10 years of structural engineering experience related to building design.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license recognized by the local licensing board.
• Experience with SAP2000, ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-Dyna, ADINA or equivalent software.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, RAM, ETABS, SAFE or similar tools.
• Ability to design and detail in steel, concrete, masonry and wood.
• Understanding of gravity and lateral analysis and code compliance.
• Active participation in an employee-owned culture is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Supervise or conduct structural analyses including linear and nonlinear FEA modeling and develop design options.
• Lead, assist with, or oversee preparation of contract documents, drawings, specs and cost estimates.
• Lead design of new or rehabilitated hydraulic structures including dams, spillways and outlets.
• Coordinate structural design with multi-disciplinary teams and ensure design quality checks.
• Serve as project manager and mentor staff; expand HDR’s structural engineering services.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Structural design

Finite element modeling

Python

Matlab

Machine learning

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

SAP2000

ANSYS

Abaqus

LS-Dyna

ADINA

Hypermesh

AutoCAD

RAM

ETABS

SAFE

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

Office

• Supervise or conduct structural analyses including linear and nonlinear FEA modeling, evaluations and designs; develop design options or recommendations
• Lead, assist with, or provide oversight for preparation of contract documents including drawings, specifications, design documentation and criteria, and cost estimates.
• Lead design of various new and/or rehabilitation of hydraulic structures, including dams, spillways, gates, outlet works, diversion structures, retaining walls, cofferdams, floodwalls, water conveyance structures, foundations
• Perform engineering assignments that may require critical thinking and creativity to address unique structural elements that have limited or no specific code-based guidance
• Coordinate structural design with multi-disciplinary teams
• Work independently as project manager and provide oversight and mentorship of project and junior staff. This role may include leadership and expansion of HDR’s structural engineering services including client and strategic project development with Federal and State government agencies, water agencies and utilities, and power utilities.
• Review tasks undertaken by others in the group such that each design receives a complete check of design assumptions, calculations, criteria, load cases, code review and compliance with design standards

Field

• Perform inspections and structural assessments of existing structures and structures under construction
• Prepare inspection and design documentation including critical reports
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Must possess strong interpersonal, speaking, and writing skills and an attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must
• Demonstrable experience with leading structural design projects, including analysis, reporting, and drawing production
• Demonstrated knowledge of structural, seismic, inspection, remediation, and construction
• Strong background in finite element modeling and knowledge of computer-based design tools (such as SAP2000, ANSYS, Abaqus, LS-Dyna, ADINA or equivalent. Meshing software such as Altair Hypermesh or equivalent). Use of commercially available programs that can be used for advanced analysis such as dynamic response spectrum or seismic time history analysis.
• Experience with programming in Python, Matlab or other.
• Experience with machine learning.
• SE a plus
• PhD a plus

Future

Serve as HDR’s national technical leader for advanced numerical modeling of dams and hydraulic structures, supporting design, dam safety evaluation, rehabilitation planning, risk- and resilience-informed design, design optimization, data- and AI-enabled safety assessment, quality management, and strategic growth. The role bridges high-end computational mechanics, consulting practice needs, and owner-facing implementation across feasibility studies, final design, issue evaluations, risk assessments, and applied research initiatives.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering
• A minimum of 10 years structural engineering experience as it relates to building design
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, RAM, ETABS, SAFE or similar analytical software
• Experience in design calculations and layouts
• Ability to design and detail in steel, concrete, masonry and wood
• Requires understanding of gravity analysis and lateral analysis
• Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Colorado: $129,899.00 - $185,570.00

Primary Location: United States-Colorado-Denver Industry: Water Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Dams Levees Civil Works Job Posting: Aug 6, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.