Hydropower Engineering Manager (Mechanical Design)

HDR; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Hydropower Engineering Manager (Mechanical Design) to lead the Northern California mechanical practice, shaping strategy, growth, and technical excellence.

You will manage multidisciplinary teams, drive feasibility studies and detailed design, and coordinate with clients to deliver high‑impact hydropower projects with an emphasis on quality and schedule.

Qualifications

• Strong leadership and team-building abilities.
• Experience presenting to clients and stakeholders.
• Must have 10+ years in hydropower/mechanical design contexts.
• Deep understanding of hydropower mechanical systems.
• Active involvement in hydropower industry groups and standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead operations for the mechanical section, including staff development and profitability.
• Ensure quality of P&IDs, sizing, detailed design, and system calculations.
• Provide feasibility studies, concept studies, pumped-storage analyses and cost estimates.
• Serve as technical leader and project manager across projects and staff.
• Oversee staff administration and coordinate services with other sections.
• Plan, organize, and evaluate work through proactive project management.
• Support policy implementation and process improvements.
• Recruit, train, and develop technical personnel; mentor staff.
• Collaborate with National Practice and marketing on local/national initiatives.

Skills

Dynamic communication

Client relationships

Hydropower mechanical design

Hydropower systems knowledge

Industry involvement

Education

Bachelor's or MS in Mechanical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) California

Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience

Job description

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.

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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.