Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro

Tetra Tech; Portland (OR); Remote; USD 130,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits

Merit-based rewards

Work-life balance

Collaborative team environment

Learning and development opportunities

Job summary

Tetra Tech is seeking an Intermediate Mechanical Engineer for our Hydropower and Water Resources team. You will contribute from feasibility through detailed design and commissioning, with travel across North America possible.

You will work under senior engineers on hydro-mechanical systems, sustaining safety and quality while mentoring junior staff and supporting client engagements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university.
• PE (US or Canada) registration required (P.E./P.Eng.).
• Approximately 6–10 years of progressive mechanical/Project experience.
• Demonstrated hydropower and water resources project delivery experience.
• Experience with hydro-mechanical systems and equipment.
• Strong knowledge of North American codes: ASME, CSA, hydro-mechanical gear.
• Experience preparing calculations, reports, specs, procurement/tender docs.
• Experience supporting construction and commissioning activities.

Responsibilities

• Perform mechanical design and analysis for hydropower projects.
• Develop layouts for powerhouse equipment, penstocks, piping, and gates.
• Coordinate with civil, structural, electrical, geotechnical teams.
• Support procurement, tendering, and supplier documentation.
• Provide field support during construction and commissioning.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to lessons learned.
• Assist proposals, planning, and client presentations.

Skills

Technical writing

Verbal communication

Problem solving

Client relationships

Independent yet collaborative work

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

Intermediate Mechanical Engineer - Hydro

Tetra Tech is adding an Intermediate Mechanical Engineer to our Hydropower and Water Resources team. This role can be performed from anywhere in the United States.

Why Tetra Tech:

At Tetra Tech, we are Leading with Science to solve the world’s most complex challenges. Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world. For over 50 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability. Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development. Our work has improved more than 625 million lives around the world.

Your Impact:

Join Tetra Tech to make a real difference. Our work leverages cutting-edge technologies, advanced analytics, and the expertise of world-class scientists and engineers to create meaningful change around the world. Discover your full potential – join us to advance your career while leaving a lasting legacy.

Position Summary:

We are currently seeking an Intermediate Mechanical Engineer for our Hydropower and Water Resources team . This is a vacant position for which we are actively recruiting.

Working under the technical direction of senior engineers, the Intermediate Mechanical Engineer will contribute to projects from feasibility and conceptual design through detailed design, tendering, construction, commissioning, and operation. This role is well suited to a mechanical engineer with direct experience in hydropower, dams, water conveyance, or hydro-mechanical infrastructure.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Job Functions:

Perform mechanical engineering design and analysis for hydropower, dam, and water infrastructure projects.

Develop mechanical layouts and design solutions for powerhouse equipment, penstocks, piping systems, hydraulic steel structures, gates, hoists, auxiliary systems, and balance-of-plant equipment.

Design and assess penstocks, including routing, supports, expansion provisions, hydraulic considerations, and coordination with civil and structural components.

Support the selection, specification, and procurement of hydro-mechanical equipment, including turbines, generators, governors, intake gates, spillway gates, stoplogs, bulkheads, gate hoists, embedded parts, and related systems.

Prepare engineering calculations, design memoranda, technical specifications, procurement packages, tender documents, contract documentation, feasibility studies, and condition assessment reports.

Review vendor proposals, technical submissions, supplier drawings, shop drawings, and equipment documentation.

Coordinate mechanical design activities with civil, structural, electrical, geotechnical, environmental, and construction teams.

Participate in engineering risk assessments and apply risk-based design principles to identify, evaluate, and mitigate technical and project risks.

Provide engineering support during construction and commissioning, including RFIs, contractor submittal reviews, field inspections, issue resolution, commissioning plans, and on-site support.

Support proposal preparation, project planning, scheduling, and client presentations.

Mentor junior engineers and designers while contributing to technical quality, lessons learned, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Work safely and report all health and safety concerns.

Perform additional duties as required.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university.

Professional Engineer (PE, P.Eng.) registration in the United States or Canada.

Approximately 6–10 years of progressive mechanical engineering and project engineering experience.

Demonstrated experience playing an active role in delivering hydropower and water resources projects.

Experience with hydro-mechanical systems such as turbines, generators, penstocks, gates, hoists, hydraulic steel structures, auxiliary systems, hydraulic power systems, or balance-of-plant equipment.

Strong knowledge of North American engineering codes, ASME, CSA, hydraulic steel structures, pressure piping, and hydro-mechanical equipment.

Experience preparing engineering calculations, reports, design documentation, technical specifications, procurement packages, and tender documents.

Experience providing engineering support during construction and commissioning, including contractor submittal reviews, RFIs, field inspections, and commissioning support.

Familiarity with power and energy modelling, hydropower economics, power generation protection, controls, and communications is considered an asset.

Excellent technical writing, verbal communication, problem-solving, and client relationship skills.

Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary project teams.

Willingness and ability to travel periodically to project sites across North America.

Physical Requirements:

• Ability to sit or stand as required and remain in a stationary position for at least 50% of the workday.
• Frequent use of hands and fingers to handle, manipulate, or feel objects, including continuous operation of a computer and other standard office equipment such as calculators, copiers, and printers.
• The majority of work is performed in a professional office setting.

Periodic travel may be required and could involve limited exposure to extreme temperatures. Travel may include air travel, during which the employee may be required to remain seated for extended periods.

Additional Information

Tetra Tech offers comprehensive benefit options that allow employees to design a plan based on individual needs and assists in planning for long-term financial security. Available benefits include medical, dental and vision insurance, term life, disability, accidental death & dismemberment coverage, Flexible Spending Account (FSA), Health Spending Account (HSA), time off with pay, 401k retirement plan, and an Employee Stock Purchase Plan.

The salary range for this position is $130,000 to $180,000. Please note that Tetra Tech considers various factors in determining pay, including but not limited to: education, relevant and demonstrated work experience in the role, skills, geographic location, qualifications, certifications, and other competencies relevant to the needs of the business.

Perks of working at Tetra Tech include:

• Comprehensive and market-competitive benefits.
• Merit-based financial rewards.
• Flexibility and company-wide commitment to work/life balance.
• Collaborative team atmosphere that values the contributions of all employees.
• Learning and development opportunities for ongoing professional growth.

About Tetra Tech:

Tetra Tech is the leader in water, environment, and sustainable infrastructure, providing high-end consulting and engineering services for projects worldwide. With 30,000 employees working together, Tetra Tech provides clear solutions to complex problems by Leading with Science ® to address the entire water cycle, protect and restore the environment, design sustainable and resilient infrastructure, and support the clean energy transition.

Tetra Techis proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will be considered without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, marital or familial status, status as a protected veteran, or any other characteristic protected by law. Tetra Tech is a VEVRAA federal contractor and we request priority referral of veterans.

We invite applications from all interested parties.

Explore our open positions at https://www.tetratech.com/careers. Follow us on social media to learn more about our people, culture, and opportunities: