Hydropower Engineering Manager (Electrical Design)

HDR; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 134,000 - 218,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Medical benefits

Retirement plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid holidays

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Hydropower Engineering Manager (Electrical Design) to lead our Northern California electrical hydropower practice, shaping strategy, growth, technical excellence, recruiting and retention. This role builds and guides a multidisciplinary team on marquee projects across CA.

You will hire and develop talent, ensure quality, and coordinate with mechanical, structural, civil, and controls teams while supporting proposals and client management to advance HDR’s power program.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• At least 10 years of hydropower engineering/design experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (US licensure).
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Leadership and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Hire, grow, mentor, and develop staff across experience levels.
• Champion quality control, technical excellence, and exceptional delivery.
• Serve as Project Manager and/or Technical Lead for hydropower electrical projects.
• Oversee electrical design plans and specifications, equipment specifications, bid reviews, and site investigations.
• Support field activities during installation, testing, commissioning, and start up.
• Coordinate closely with mechanical, structural, civil, and controls teams.
• Partner with Power sector and National Hydropower Practice leaders to support local and national initiatives.
• Build relationships with key hydropower owners/operators across utility clients, federal agencies and/or water authorities.
• Support proposals, interviews, and strategic pursuits throughout CA and across the region.
• Partner with the Power Business Development and Client Management teams.
• Support local and national marketing and production efforts.
• Perform other duties as needed: Support project goals and HDR business activities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Team mentorship

Electrical design knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

Job description

HDR is seeking a Hydropower Engineering Manager (Electrical Design) to join our expanding Northern California team and help drive one of the nation’s most recognized hydropower programs. In 2025 ENR ranked HDR #2 in Hydropower among the top firms delivering services for hydropower owners and operators — and we keep growing to meet our Client’s needs.

If you’re ready to lead complex modernization projects, inspire a talented multidisciplinary team, and influence marquee hydropower projects — this role is built for you.

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.

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.

As our Hydropower Engineering Manager (Electrical), you will shape the strategy, growth, technical excellence, recruiting and retention of our NorCal hydropower electrical practice.

Responsibilities include:

• Hire, grow, mentor, and develop technical staff across experience levels. This includes responsibility for operations of production and oversight of electrical section.
• Champion quality control, technical excellence, and exceptional delivery.
• Facilitate Career development and personal growth amongst team members.
• Serve as Project Manager and/or Technical Lead for hydropower electrical projects.
• Oversee electrical design plans and specifications, equipment specifications, bid reviews, and site investigations.
• Support field activities during installation, testing, commissioning, and start up.
• Coordinate closely with mechanical, structural, civil, and controls teams.
• Partner with Power sector and National Hydropower Practice leaders to support local and national initiatives.
• Build relationships with key hydropower owners/operators across utility clients, federal agencies and/or water authorities.
• Support proposals, interviews, and strategic pursuits throughout CA and across the region.
• Partner with the Power Business Development and Client Management teams.
• Support local and national marketing and production efforts.
• Perform other duties as needed: Support project goals and HDR business activities.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Proficient and engaging in dynamic communication and collaboration.
• Consulting experience supporting client relationships and delivering high‑quality electrical engineering work.
• Extensive hydropower engineering/design experience, ideally 10 or more years.
• Technical depth in hydropower electrical systems — generator protection and controls, excitation systems, governor controls, SCADA/DCS, station service, switchyard/substation equipment, relay settings/coordination, and arc‑flash/grounding analysis.
• Active engagement in electrical‑focused industry organizations such as IEEE PES, IEEE Hydropower Working Groups, NHA Technical Committees, or CEATI Hydropower Electrical Task Forces.

Additionally required qualifications:

• Licensed Professional Engineer (US licensure)

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 skillsAn 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. Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $134,442.00 - $218,250.00 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Primary Location: United States‑California‑Sacramento Other Locations: United States‑California‑Walnut Creek, United States‑California‑Folsom Industry: Power Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Hydropower Engineering Job Posting: Aug 21, 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.