Hydropower Engineering Manager (Mechanical Design)

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an experienced Hydropower Engineering Manager (Mechanical Design) to lead our NorCal hydropower mechanical practice, directing strategy, growth, and technical excellence. You will recruit, mentor and manage a multidisciplinary team while coordinating with national marketing and practice groups.

The role emphasizes project leadership, feasibility studies, design evaluations, and detailed mechanical design, including P&IDs and system calculations, with responsibilities spanning

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
• BS and /or MS Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Professional Engineering (PE) License in California
• Project Management experience
• A minimum of 15 years or more year experience
• Previous experience with an engineering consulting firm
• Demonstrated ability to directly supervise, develop and mentor multiple staff members
• Strong history of client relationship development and maintenance, including managing multiple award contracts and supporting long-term strategic partnerships
• Local candidates preferred for regional leadership continuity
• Experience in succession planning and technical oversight for multidisciplinary teams

Responsibilities

• Shape the strategy, growth, technical excellence, recruiting and retention of our NorCal hydropower mechanical practice.
• Take responsibility for operations of production section including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support
• Take responsibility for quality of production section including P&IDs, equipment sizing, detailed design, system calculations, technical reports, presentations to our Clients, and support construction support.
• Provide technical oversite for performing feasibility studies and conceptual, design evaluations, pumped-storage concept studies, and supporting project cost estimates.
• Function as Technical Leader and Project Manager and take responsibility for production on projects in addition to technical product development, quality control, management of Client expectations, and management responsibilities.
• Take administrative responsibility for section staff and technical service functions, and lead and coordinate services with other sections
• See that all work is planned, organized, controlled and evaluated through proactive project management system
• Implement, monitor and support company policy
• Select, train, develop and manage technical personnel.
• Manage and develop multidiscipline teams
• Work cooperatively with National Practice and marketing staff in local and national marketing and production efforts
• Perform other duties as needed
• Proficient and engaging in dynamic communication and collaboration.
• Consulting experience supporting client relationships and delivering high ‑ quality mechanical engineering work.
• Extensive hydropower engineering/design experience, ideally 10 or more years.
• Technical depth in hydropower mechanical systems.
• Active engagement in hydropower/hydroelectric ‑ focused industry organizations.

Skills

Dynamic communication

Leadership

Project management

Client relationships

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

MS in Mechanical Engineering

PE License in California

Job description

Hydropower Engineering Manager (Mechanical Design) - ( 195558 )

HDR is seeking a Hydropower Engineering Manager (Mechanical 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 (Mechanical), you will shape the strategy, growth, technical excellence, recruiting and retention of our NorCal hydropower mechanical practice.

Take responsibility for operations of production section including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support

Take responsibility for quality of production section including P&IDs, equipment sizing, detailed design, system calculations, technical reports, presentations to our Clients, and support construction support.

Provide technical oversite for performing feasibility studies and conceptual, design evaluations, pumped-storage concept studies, and supporting project cost estimates.

Function as Technical Leader and Project Manager and take responsibility for production on projects in addition to technical product development, quality control, management of Client expectations, and management responsibilities.

Take administrative responsibility for section staff and technical service functions, and lead and coordinate services with other sections

See that all work is planned, organized, controlled and evaluated through proactive project management system

Implement, monitor and support company policy

Select, train, develop and manage technical personnel.

Manage and develop multidiscipline teams

Work cooperatively with National Practice and marketing staff in local and national marketing and production efforts

Perform other duties as needed

Preferences:

Proficient and engaging in dynamic communication and collaboration.

Consulting experience supporting client relationships and delivering high ‑ quality mechanical engineering work.

Extensive hydropower engineering/design experience, ideally 10 or more years.

Technical depth in hydropower mechanical systems.

Active engagement in hydropower/hydroelectric ‑ focused industry organizations.

*LI-MO1

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

Preferred Qualifications

• BS and /or MS Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Professional Engineering (PE) License in California

A minimum of 15 years or more year experience

Previous experience with an engineering consulting firm

Demonstrated ability to directly supervise, develop and mentor multiple staff members

Strong history of client relationship development and maintenance, including managing multiple award contracts and supporting long-term strategic partnerships

Local candidates preferred for regional leadership continuity

Experience in succession planning and technical oversight for multidisciplinary teams

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.

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

Preferred Qualifications

• BS and /or MS Degree in Mechanical Engineering
• Professional Engineering (PE) License in California
• Project Management experience
• A minimum of 15 years or more year experience
• Previous experience with an engineering consulting firm
• Demonstrated ability to directly supervise, develop and mentor multiple staff members
• Strong history of client relationship development and maintenance, including managing multiple award contracts and supporting long-term strategic partnerships
• Local candidates preferred for regional leadership continuity
• Experience in succession planning and technical oversight for multidisciplinary teams

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

Other Locations

United States-California-Folsom

Industry

Power

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Aug 21, 2026

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

We are an Affimative Action and Equal Opportunity Employe r.

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.