Hydraulic Structures Engineer

GFT; Denver (CO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Pet insurance

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Incentive pay

Job summary

GFT is seeking a Hydraulic Structures Engineer to join the Dams & Hydraulics team in the Denver area. The role focuses on design, evaluation, and rehabilitation of dams, levees, and spillways, with hybrid work attendance at the Greenwood Village office.

You will work on projects nationwide, applying innovative solutions to improve dam safety, resilience, and service life. Strong collaboration, communication, and technical writing are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil or structural engineering is required.
• EIT or PE licensure with ability to obtain Colorado registration.
• 3–5 years of experience in structural engineering for dams or hydraulic structures.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Mathcad, and finite element software (Ansys, SAP2000).
• Field experience supporting inspections and condition assessments is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform structural analyses, assessments, and designs for dams and hydraulic structures.
• Visit project sites to support inspections, condition assessments, and construction
• Prepare engineering memoranda, reports, drawings, and QA/QC deliverables.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and communicate technical concepts clearly.
• Develop design concepts, criteria, calculations, and finite element models.
• Support projects from planning through design and provide project delivery input.

Skills

Structural analysis

Dam design

Hydraulic engineering

Geotechnical

Technical writing

Communication

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's in Civil or Structural Engineering

EIT or PE licensing (Colorado)

Colorado registration eligible

Master's degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

Mathcad

Ansys

SAP2000

LS-DYNA

Job description

What You Will Do

As

GFT’s Dams And Hydraulics

Joining the Dams & Hydraulics team at GFT means helping protect communities and critical infrastructure through the design, evaluation, and rehabilitation of dams, levees, spillways, and other hydraulic structures. Our engineers work on some of the nation's most important water infrastructure projects, applying innovative solutions to improve dam safety, enhance resilience, manage flood risks, and extend the service life of aging facilities.

What You Will Do

As GFT continues to grow and expand, we are seeking a talented Hydraulic Structures Engineer to join our Geotechnical, Dams and Hydraulics Teamin Greenwood Village, a suburb of Denver, Colorado. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Greenwood Village, CO office.

GFT’s Dams And Hydraulics

Joining the Dams & Hydraulics team at GFT means helping protect communities and critical infrastructure through the design, evaluation, and rehabilitation of dams, levees, spillways, and other hydraulic structures. Our engineers work on some of the nation's most important water infrastructure projects, applying innovative solutions to improve dam safety, enhance resilience, manage flood risks, and extend the service life of aging facilities.

Our multidisciplinary team brings together expertise in civil, structural, geotechnical, mechanical, and hydraulic engineering to solve complex challenges for dam owners across the country. From condition assessments and rehabilitation design to hydrologic and hydraulic analysis and risk-informed decision making, every project offers an opportunity to make a lasting impact. Explore some of our signature water resources and environmental projects here.

What You’ll Be Challenged To Do

This role offers an excellent career opportunity for an engineer who is motivated to expand their experience in structural analysis, design, and computer modeling for dams and hydraulic structures. You will perform engineering analyses and develop designs, visit project sites to support inspections, condition assessments, and construction or design oversight, and prepare technical documentation under the guidance of senior engineers. You will also collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams, communicate technical information to staff and clients, and take on increasing responsibility as your technical and project delivery skills develop, with opportunities to grow into technical leadership and project delivery roles over time.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Perform structural analyses, condition assessments, and develop designs for concrete dams and reinforced concrete and steel hydraulic structures, including spillways, outlet works, stilling basins, and gates.
• Develop project design concepts, criteria, calculations, and finite element models using software such as Ansys and SAP2000.
• Apply engineering theories, concepts, and principles to solve project-specific technical challenges, working both independently and collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Research technical literature and evaluate design approaches for complex or unique project elements.
• Participate in the planning, coordination, and execution of engineering assignments.
• Prepare engineering memoranda, reports, design drawings, and specifications, and support QA/QC reviews to produce accurate, high-quality deliverables.
• Communicate technical information clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences and collaborate with clients to understand and address project needs.

Education | Experience:

What You’ll Bring To Our Firm

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, with the ability to obtain Colorado registration.
• 3-5 years of experience in structural engineering for dams, hydraulic structures, water resources, mining, or related infrastructure projects.
• Experience performing structural analyses and developing designs using engineering software such as AutoCAD, Mathcad, and finite element analysis programs (e.g., Ansys, SAP2000).
• Field experience supporting inspections, condition assessments, investigations, evaluation of existing infrastructure, construction observation, or construction activities.
• Strong technical writing skills, including preparation of engineering calculations, memoranda, reports, and design documentation.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively within multidisciplinary teams and communicate technical concepts to both technical and nontechnical audiences.
• Ability and willingness to travel periodically for site visits, inspections, condition assessments, and construction support activities.

What We Prefer You Bring

• Master’s Degree with emphasis in Structural or Civil Engineering.
• Experience with reinforced concrete and steel design for dams, hydraulic structures, or other heavy civil infrastructure.
• Experience with condition assessments, rehabilitation design, or evaluation of existing infrastructure.
• Familiarity with dam safety practices, risk-informed engineering, and/or regulatory dam safety programs.
• Experience with advanced finite element analysis software, such as LS-DYNA.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $90,000 - $120,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location: Denver, CO

Core Business Hours:

8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status:

Full-Time