Dam Safety Engineer

Black & Veatch; Rancho Cordova (CA); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 152,000; Full time

Job summary

Black & Veatch seeks a Civil Engineer with strong hydraulic structures expertise to lead hydropower projects on the West Coast. You will oversee design of dams, spillways, intakes and other hydraulic structures, coordinating with multi-discipline teams and clients.

You’ll mentor colleagues, prepare calculations and drawings, and support procurement and construction activities. This role offers hybrid work options and opportunities to advance within a global engineer-driven company.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• Active PE license preferred.
• Minimum 1 year related work experience.
• Pre-employment requirements may apply (background check, drug screen).

Responsibilities

• Understand client interests to develop technical solutions for infrastructure challenges.
• Translate client direction into efficient workplans and coordinate with project teams.
• Create calculations, technical documents, drawings, specifications and cost estimates.
• Familiarity with hydropower design guides, standards, and relevant codes.
• Apply hydraulics, civil/structural design, geotechnical and mechanical knowledge to engineered solutions.
• Oversee preparation of calculations and design documents.
• Support equipment procurement and construction management; assist business development on pursuits.

Skills

Hydraulics

Civil engineering

Construction management

Client communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Job description

Date: Oct 5, 2026

Location: Rancho Cordova, CA, US

Company: Black & Veatch Family of Companies

Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success.

As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, together we are building a world of difference.

Company: Black & Veatch Corporation

Opportunity Type: Staff

Relocation eligible: Yes

Full time/Part time: Full-Time

Project Only Hire: No

Visa Sponsorship Available: No

Why Black & Veatch?

At Black & Veatch, you’ll be part of work that matters—designing, creating, and building the infrastructure communities rely on every day, from concept through execution.

We care about how the work gets done as much as what we build. Safety is built into every decision, and people look out for each other—speaking up, collaborating, and doing the right thing because it affects real lives.

You’ll work alongside teams solving complex challenges and turning ideas into solutions that perform in the real world—gaining hands‑on experience across projects, technologies, and disciplines.

Ownership shows up in how we work. We take responsibility for outcomes, follow through on commitments, and take pride in what we deliver. As a 100% employee‑owned company, employees share in the long‑term success we build together.

With flexible ways of working and meaningful development opportunities, you’ll build a career you can be proud to stand behind.

The Opportunity

We are looking for a Civil Engineer with strong technical skills in civil engineering to lead hydraulic structures projects for our hydropower clients on the West Coast. In this role you will have the opportunity to:

• Lead projects involving dams, spillways, intakes and outlets, and other hydropower and hydraulic structure improvements
• Deliver innovative and high‑quality design products, manage equipment procurement, and participate in construction processes for municipal and hydropower clients
• Collaborate with subject matter experts across a wide array of disciplines to deliver inspection reports, plans and specifications, technical analyses, etc.
• Mentor and interact across disciplines with professionals in our hydropower and dams teams.

The Team

As part of BV Operations your skills will be aligned to projects that support our three market sectors - Governments & Environment, Energy & Process Industries, and Connectivity & Commercial. In an Engineering role you will engage with exciting projects across the globe. From small community improvements to grand‑scale mega projects, you will be Building a World of Difference through infrastructure growth and development while learning and focusing on your own individual development. The foundation of BV Operations provides the ability to move where your skills are needed and allows for a collaborative and innovative culture offering greater challenges and career development opportunities. This team has a portfolio of major civil works projects across the country that are moving the needle on sustainable infrastructure. We are seeking ownership‑driven technical professional who thrives in a culture of collaboration, inclusivity, and kindness that focuses on our goal to be the most innovative company in the civil consulting industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Communicating and working directly with client counterparts to understand key interests for developing technical solutions to their infrastructure challenges, providing ideas and strategies to deliver projects from concept to closeout.
• Translating client direction into efficient workplans and coordinating with project team members to deliver high‑quality work products.
• Creating written technical documents, technical drawings, specifications, cost estimates, alternatives analyses, and other common engineering deliverables.
• Having familiarity with design guides, standards, systems, and applicable engineering codes relevant to the hydropower industry.
• Demonstrating the ability to leverage knowledge of general engineering principles including hydraulics, civil/structural design, geotechnical considerations, and mechanical systems to generate unique, engineered solutions.
• Preparing and overseeing the preparation of calculations and design documents.
• Participating in equipment procurement and construction management processes.
• Providing support to business development teams for pursuit activities with the opportunity to lead projects that you pursue and win.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with West Coast hydropower clients
• Familiarity with state and federal regulatory dams and hydropower requirements
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License
• 3 years related work experience is preferred

Minimum Qualifications

• Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing
• Minimum of 1 year related work experience
• All applicants must be able to complete pre‑employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Certifications

Holds an active engineering registration or licensure to support EOR requirements for BV projects in the US.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.
• Typical office environment, typical construction environment, extreme weather conditions, high noise level, safety hazards (electric currents, working on scaffolding and high places, exposure to chemicals), atmospheric conditions (fumes, odors, dusts, mists, gases, poor ventilation).
• Sitting, walking, talking, hearing, reading, writing, keyboarding, driving, filing, reaching, stooping, crouching, bending, standing for extended periods of time, lifting or carrying up to 40 pounds.

Salary Plan

ENG: Engineering

Job Grade

015

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Black & Veatch is committed to being an employer of choice by creating a valuable work experience that keeps our people engaged, productive, safe and healthy.

Our comprehensive benefits portfolio is a key component of this commitment and offers an array of health care benefits including but not limited to medical, dental and vision insurances along with disability and a robust wellness program.

To support a healthy work‑life balance, we offer flexible work schedules, paid vacation and holiday time, sick time, and dependent sick time.

A variety of additional benefits are available to our professionals, including a company‑matched 401k plan, adoption reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, vendor discounts, an employment referral program, AD&D insurance, pre‑taxed accounts, voluntary legal plan and the B&V Credit Union. Professionals may also be eligible for a performance‑based bonus program.

We are proud to be a 100 percent ESOP‑owned company. As employee‑owners, our professionals are empowered to drive not only their personal growth, but the company's long‑term achievements - and they share in the financial rewards of the success through stock ownership.

By valuing diverse voices and perspectives, we cultivate an authentically inclusive environment for professionals and are able to provide innovative and effective solutions for clients.

BVH, Inc., its subsidiaries and its affiliated companies, complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations. Black & Veatch does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or other status protected by law.

Notice to External Search Firms

Black & Veatch does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Black & Veatch Talent Acquisition engages with search firms directly for hiring needs.

In accordance with local law, the following compensation range is applicable for the job and location associated with this requisition: $91,047.00 - $152,053.00

Nearest Major Market: Sacramento

Job Segment: Safety Engineer, Construction, Hydraulics, Geology, Civil Engineer, Engineering