Geotechnical Engineer - Hydropower

HDR; Louisville (KY); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Geotechnical Engineer to join our Hydropower program in Kentucky. You will lead analysis, design, and construction for dam modifications and regional power infrastructure, driving project workflows and geotechnical investigations.

You’ll prepare designs and reports, review instrumentation data, and participate in dam safety inspections and marketing efforts, with growth toward project management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or MS in Geotechnical or Geological Engineering.
• PE license in NC is preferred.
• 5 years of related geotechnical engineering experience.
• Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation or GIS.
• Experience with geotechnical software (GeoStudio/Ensoft).
• Experience with subsurface explorations and field tests.
• Familiarity with dam safety inspections and instrumentation.
• Strong writing and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Drive project workflows and geotechnical investigations.
• Prepare geotechnical analyses, design calculations and reports.
• Review dam safety instrumentation data and FE modeling of dams.
• Prepare design drawings and construction specifications.
• Support dam safety inspections and marketing efforts.
• Possible project management for mid-size initiatives.

Skills

Geotechnical Engineering

Geology

Field Investigations

Dam Safety

Finite Element Analysis

Report Writing

Project Management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's or MS in Geotechnical Engineering

PE license (NC)

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

GIS

GeoStudio/Ensoft

Bentley suite (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog)

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?

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.

We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side‑by‑side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

HDR is growing our Hydropower team across the Southeast and we're looking for engineers at all experience levels who want to make a lasting impact. Whether you're an experienced hydropower professional or an engineer looking to apply your skills in a new industry, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside HDR's nationally recognized Hydropower Practice, ranked #2 in Hydro Plants by Engineering News-Record in 2026. Across the U.S., hydropower facilities that have powered communities for generations are becoming increasingly critical to grid reliability and the region's energy future. Join an employee‑owned firm where you'll help modernize and sustain this vital infrastructure, develop leadership skills, accelerate your career growth, and contribute to meaningful projects that keep the lights on and strengthen communities.

We are looking for a Geotechnical Engineer to join our established Hydropower program. In this role, you will take a technical lead on the analysis, design, and construction of modification for large-scale dams and critical power infrastructure across the region. You will be responsible for the following: driving project workflows, planning, geotechnical field investigations, laboratory testing programs, preparation of geotechnical analysis, design calculations and reports, review / evaluation of dam safety instrumentation data, finite element modeling of dams, preparation of design drawings / construction specifications, participation in dam safety inspections, participation in marketing efforts for internal / external clients, other tasks as required to support project goals and other HDR business activities. While this position focuses on acting as a high‑level Technical Specialist you will also have the opportunity to serve as Project Manager for mid‑size initiatives and support marketing efforts for both internal and external clients.

This position is subject to a pre‑employment drug test.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's or M.S. degree in Geotechnical or Geological Engineering
• PE license in NC
• 5 years of related experience in geotechnical engineering
• Experience using AutoCAD, MicroStation or GIS applications
• Experience using other industry standard geotechnical and geological engineering software
• Experience planning, performing, and documenting subsurface explorations
• Experience reviewing and interpreting field and laboratory testing results
• Experience reading, reviewing, and interpreting geotechnical instrumentation
• Experience with dam safety inspections and dam engineering
• Ability to work independently on smaller projects and the desire to work on larger projects as part of a multi-discipline project team
• Ability to handle multiple simultaneous tasks effectively
• Receptive to technical mentoring, passionate about meeting new, complex challenges
• Good problem solving and reasoning skills
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills
• Ability to perform field work and overnight travel (some field work and travel will be required), local candidates are preferred

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Previous experience with Microsoft Office applications, MicroStation or other software as appropriate
• Experience with GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage and deep foundation response software, as appropriate
• Experience with Bentley suite of geotechnical data management and visualization software (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog)
• 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.

Primary Location: United States-North Carolina-Charlotte Other Locations: United States-Kentucky-Louisville, United States-Georgia-Atlanta, United States-South Carolina-Greenville, United States-South Carolina-Charleston, United States-South Carolina-Columbia, United States-Tennessee-Memphis, United States-Alabama-Birmingham, United States-Alabama-Mobile, United States-North Carolina-Wilmington, United States-North Carolina-Asheville, United States-Tennessee-Nashville, United States-Georgia-Savannah, United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-Tennessee-Brentwood, United States-South Carolina-Fort Mill, United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-Tennessee-Chattanooga, United States-Kentucky-Lexington Industry: Power Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Hydropower Engineering Job Posting: Aug 25, 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.