Hydropower Mechanical Project Engineer – Lead Designer

hdr; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Power Project Engineer in California to lead mechanical design for hydropower facilities from planning through construction. You will deliver equipment studies, calculations, specifications, and design packages, while coordinating with civil, electrical, and hydraulic teams to ensure safe and efficient operations.

The role involves mentoring early-career engineers, managing scope, schedule and budget, and collaborating with HDR’s national Hydropower and Power network to deliver

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.
• Professional engineering license (PE) required or recognized by the location's board.
• Experience in Power Market Sector and hydropower equipment.
• Consulting experience is a plus.
• Experience managing project scope, schedule and budget.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for hydropower facilities from planning to construction.
• Deliver equipment studies, calculations, specs and design packages.
• Design turbines, gates, valves, pumps, cranes and balance-of-plant systems.
• Lead field investigations, design workshops, and constructability reviews.
• Coordinate interfaces across multiple disciplines.
• Prepare drawings, calculations, reports, bids and delivery packages.
• Manage scope, schedule, budget, quality and client coordination.
• Mentor early-career engineers and collaborate with national teams.
• Support projects nationwide within HDR's Hydropower network.

Skills

PE license

Project execution

Mentoring engineers

Mechanical design

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree preferred

Tools

PLS CAD

AutoCAD

Plant 3D

AutoPipe

Revit

Job description

HDR is seeking a Power Project Engineer in California to lead mechanical design for hydropower facilities from planning through construction. You will deliver equipment studies, calculations, specifications, and design packages, while coordinating with civil, electrical, and hydraulic teams to ensure safe and efficient operations.

The role involves mentoring early-career engineers, managing scope, schedule and budget, and collaborating with HDR’s national Hydropower and Power network to deliver