Hydrology and Hydraulics Section Lead

HDR; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Hydrology and Hydraulics Section Lead in California to drive hydrologic and hydraulic design for civil projects, mentor engineers, and coordinate with authorities for approvals. The role emphasizes leadership, advanced analysis, and delivering technically sound reports.

The position requires a Bachelor's degree or equivalent, 10+ years of civil engineering experience, strong communication, and a commitment to HDR's employee-owned culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 10 years of civil engineering experience.
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Good leadership and organizational skills.
• Active participant of our employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydrologic and hydraulic design input for civil projects.
• Undertake and/or review flood modeling and technical reporting.
• Mentor, coach, and provide direction to junior and mid-level engineers.
• Coordinate with statutory authorities and provide technical guidance for project approvals.
• Prepare design and analysis documentation suitable for client and agency approvals.
• Support project delivery in collaboration with Project Managers, including client and stakeholder liaison.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Civil engineering

Hydrology

Hydraulics

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

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 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.

In the role of Hydrology and Hydraulics Section Lead, we'll count on you to:

Technical:

• Lead hydrologic and hydraulic design input for civil engineering projects
• Undertake and/or review flood modeling and technical reporting.
• Apply advanced engineering techniques to address complex hydraulic challenges
• Conduct flood risk analysis, floodplain management, and bridge-related flood assessments, including scour analysis.
• Mentor, coach, and provide direction to junior and mid-level engineers, fostering technical excellence
• Stay current with relevant government manuals, guidelines, legislation and best-practice sustainability and flood resiliency approaches
• Coordinate with statutory authorities and provide technical guidance for project approvals
• Participate in the development and implementation of technology strategies within HDR’s engineering practice

Leadership and Project Collaboration:

• Prepare design and analysis documentation suitable for client and agency approvals
• Provide technical input to support integrated multidisciplinary design
• Support project delivery in collaboration with Project Managers, including client and stakeholder liaison.
• Author reports that are technically sound, grammatically correct, and well organized
• Use engineering judgment to determine the best course of action
• Manage your time and organization of multiple tasks/projects
• Communicate effectively with managers and team members
• Pursue efficiencies within your work and operations
• Mentor less experienced staff in performing and delegate appropriate tasks

Due to client contract requirements, US citizenship or Permanent Resident Status (Green card holder) is required.

Keywords: Hydrology and Hydraulic Section Lead, hydrology and hydraulics, H&H, flood risk analysis, floodplain management, flood assessments, flood modeling, scour analysis

Preferred Qualifications

• 10 years civil engineering experience across the full spectrum of H&H Analysis
• Previous experience with an architectural/engineering firm
• Preference given to local candidates

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational 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.

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 is $134,000 - $200,000 and 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.)

Primary Location: United States-California-San Diego

Other Locations: United States-California-Irvine

Industry: Water

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Dams Levees Civil Works

Job Posting: Jul 22, 2026

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