Hydraulic Structures Project Manager

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Hydraulic Structures Project Manager in Denver to lead dam and hydraulic infrastructure projects. You will manage multidisciplinary teams, coordinate with agencies like FERC/USACE, and deliver studies through final design and construction while pursuing business development opportunities.

The role requires a PE license, a strong track record in dam safety and rehabilitation, and the ability to manage portfolios with client focus and technical excellence.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering and PE licensure.
• 7 years related experience including 2+ years in project management.
• MS Office and MS Project proficiency.
• Strong leadership and client relationship skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the delivery of complex dam and hydraulic projects.
• Serve as Project Manager for multiple concurrent projects.
• Provide technical direction for structural evaluations and rehabilitation designs.
• Develop project scopes, fee estimates, and client presentations.
• Collaborate with regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
• Support Engineering During Construction activities.

Skills

Project management

Dam rehabilitation

Hydraulic structures

Water resources

Team leadership

Business development

Education

Master's degree in Structural/Water Resources Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Job description

Hydraulic Structures Project Manager - ( 197532 )

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 water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our WaterBusiness 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.

This position combines project management leadership and technical engineering within the Dams, Levees, & Civil Works practice. The successful candidate will lead the delivery of complex water infrastructure projects while simultaneously providing technical direction for structural evaluations, new construction designs, rehabilitation designs, construction support services, and dam safety initiatives.

The individual is expected to function as both a trusted project manager and a technical leader, balancing client management, project delivery, multidisciplinary coordination, and business development responsibilities with hands on engineering oversight. Typical assignments include dam rehabilitations, spillway improvements, outlet works modifications, diversion structures, intake facilities, canals, and other critical hydraulic infrastructure projects.

Success in this role requires a professional who can independently manage significant project portfolios, lead multidisciplinary teams, maintain strong client relationships, and provide sound engineering judgment on complex dam and hydraulic structures projects. In the role of Hydraulic Structures Project Manager/Engineer, we'll count on you to:

Serve as Project Manager for multiple concurrent small- to medium-sized dam, hydraulic structures, and water infrastructure projects while developing the experience and leadership necessary to successfully execute large-scale dam and water infrastructure projects and programs.

Serve as Project Manager for work governed by agencies and organizations such as FERC, USBR, USACE, state dam safety agencies, and other regulatory authorities.

Lead multidisciplinary project teams consisting of structural, geotechnical, hydraulic, civil, risk, environmental, and construction support professionals. Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality, and risk while ensuring successful delivery of projects ranging from studies through final design and construction.

Support development of project pursuits, proposals, scopes of work, fee estimates, and client presentations.

Assist with implementation and improvement of project management processes, project delivery systems, and quality procedures.

Collaborate with practice leadership to identify strategic growth opportunities within dam safety, water resources, and hydraulic structures markets. Contribute to business development efforts and assist in expanding relationships with existing and prospective clients.

Serve as technical lead for structural engineering evaluations and designs associated with dams and hydraulic structures. Prepare and oversee engineering calculations, technical memoranda, feasibility studies, Basis of Design Reports, specifications, and construction drawings.

Plan and manage inspections and condition assessments of dams, spillways, outlet works, gates, intake towers, retaining walls, stilling basins, valve houses, and related infrastructure. As needed, participate in field work and evaluation of inspection findings and develop recommendations for repair, rehabilitation, replacement, and risk mitigation.

Support and direct Engineering During Construction services including RFI responses, submittal reviews, field observations, design clarifications, construction issue resolution, Field Orders, Work Change Directives, and Engineering Change Notices. Coordinate with contractors, owners, regulatory agencies, and construction personnel to facilitate successful project delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Structural Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or related field.
• Experience leading dam rehabilitation, outlet works rehabilitation, spillway rehabilitation, or diversion structure projects.
• Experience with dams, water conveyances or other constructed project works and infrastructure regulated by FERC, USACE or other federal/state agencies.
• Experience conducting dam inspections and condition assessments.
• Experience with risk-informed dam safety evaluations.
• Experience managing annual project portfolios exceeding $1 million in active work.
• Background in heavy civil construction, construction management, or contractor operations.
• Experience with constructability reviews, means and methods evaluations, cost estimating, and bid support.
• Demonstrated business development and client account management experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing concurrent multidisciplinary engineering projects involving scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and client coordination.
• Experience serving as project manager, deputy project manager, task manager, or technical lead on dam, hydraulic structures, or water infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience developing engineering calculations, technical reports, construction drawings, and specifications.
• Experience supporting Engineering During Construction and providing construction-phase engineering services.
• Knowledge of dam safety practice, structural analysis, rehabilitation design, and construction engineering principles.
• Experience coordinating with regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience developing project scopes, fee estimates, schedules, and work plans.
• Proven ability to build and maintain client relationships.

#LI-MV3

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 7 years related experience inclusive of a minimum 2 years experience in project management
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience is required
• Demonstrated leadership skills
• 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.

BusinessClass : Dams Levees Civil Works

Industry

Water

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Oct 30, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Aff…

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great thingspossible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We'realways looking for great talent to join our global teams.