Mid-Level Dam, Hydropower, and Hydraulic Structures Engineer

Jacobs; Anchorage (AK); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health benefits

401(k) plan

Stock purchase

Unlimited PPTO

7 holidays

Job summary

Jacobs is seeking a Mid-Level Dam and Hydropower Engineer to join the Northwest team and support dams, hydropower, fish passage, and hydraulic steel structures across the Pacific Northwest, with opportunities nationwide. You will lead multidisciplinary teams, mentor staff, and engage with communities, agencies, and tribal nations to deliver resilient water infrastructure.

The role emphasizes technical excellence, regulatory navigation, and collaboration with leadership across Northwest and

Qualifications

• Familiarity with USACE/USBR/FERC guidance for dams and hydropower facilities.
• Experience in structural steel design and stress analysis for hydraulic structures (gates, stop logs, bulkheads).
• Proven track record in complex multidisciplinary projects and design management.

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary teams on dam, hydropower, and water conveyance projects.
• Collaborate with clients and stakeholders to balance technical and environmental objectives.
• Support business development and mentor junior staff.

Skills

USACE knowledge

Hydropower design

Team leadership

Regulatory understanding

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Bachelor’s in Mechanical or Structural Engineering

Job description

At Jacobs, we're challenging today to reinvent tomorrow by solving the world's most critical problems for thriving cities, resilient environments, mission-critical outcomes, operational advancement, scientific discovery and cutting-edge manufacturing, turning abstract ideas into realities that transform the world for good.

Your impact

Jacobs is seeking a Mid-Level Dam and Hydropower Engineer to join our dynamic Northwest team and take on a pivotal regional role supporting the delivery of dams, hydropower, fish passage, and hydraulic steel structure projects, including radial gates, gate hoists, stop logs, bulkheads, and other water control features primarily across the Pacific Northwest and California, with opportunities to support projects nationwide and internationally. Consistently ranked #1 by ENR in top water industry markets, Jacobs offers a full-service platform—from planning and design through construction—and you’ll be at the forefront of shaping major water infrastructure programs for federal government agencies, public utilities, irrigation districts, and other agencies throughout the region. Our team is currently delivering a diverse portfolio of civil projects, hydropower, fish passage, irrigation, and hatchery projects in the Northwest, as well as supporting the largest water infrastructure program in California.

In this role, you’ll collaborate and partner with experts in dams, diversion structures, intakes, fish screens, pipelines, canals, pump stations, reservoirs, radial gates, slide gates, stop logs, bulkheads, embedded steel components, gate hoists, cranes, and other hydraulic steel structures associated with water storage and conveyance facilities. You’ll lead multidisciplinary teams through complex, high visibility projects while strengthening and expanding relationships with key regional clients. You’ll also play an important role in stakeholder engagement—partnering with communities, resource agencies, tribal nations, and local organizations to ensure that project solutions balance technical excellence with environmental stewardship, community priorities, and long‑term regional resilience. Your work will help shape the interface between the built and human environment, ensuring that infrastructure investments deliver meaningful benefits to the people and ecosystems they serve.

You’ll support business development efforts and may also serve as Project Engineer, Design Manager, or Client Sales Lead across a variety of programs—positioning Jacobs for continued growth and long‑term success. As a Project Engineer, you’ll guide teams of engineers, planners, and technical specialists through planning and design, while partnering closely with clients to develop innovative conveyance and reservoir storage solutions that reflect community needs and regional priorities. With your experience, you will help guide our clients through challenging regulatory and permitting requirements. Typical assignments may include the design, evaluation, and rehabilitation of radial gates, vertical lift and slide gates, stop logs, bulkheads, hoists, embedded steel components, and associated operating machinery, including structural steel design, stress analysis, load path evaluation, gear train assessments, and rehabilitation planning. Your leadership will be instrumental in mentoring staff, shaping project strategies, and driving technical excellence. You’ll work in concert with our Northwest and California leadership teams, as well as our Global Conveyance and Storage and Global Dam Communities of Practice, to pursue and deliver some of the most challenging and rewarding water projects in the U.S. and beyond.

Here’s what you’ll need

• Familiarity with applicable U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), FERC, and industry guidance related to dams, hydropower facilities, and hydraulic steel structures.
• Experience performing structural steel design and stress analysis for hydraulic steel structures, including gates, stop logs, bulkheads, embedded steel components, lifting systems, and associated operating equipment.
• Demonstrated track record performing technical work and/or design management for complex, multidisciplinary projects
• Proficient experience in dam, hydropower, and fisheries related engineering as a project manager or discipline lead
• Proven ability to lead and coordinate multidisciplinary teams
• Strong, well rounded technical design skills across contributing disciplines
• Recognized by clients as a trusted partner with strong working knowledge of hydraulics and reservoir facility design and planning
• Bachelor’s degree in a related discipline such as Mechanical or Structural Engineering

Ideally, You’ll Also Have

• Strong technical and project background in large water impoundment and diversion design, monitoring, and rehabilitation
• Professional Engineering license in WA, OR, or ID (or ability to obtain within 6 months)
• Established relationships with regional clients and consulting partners in the Northwest
• Familiarity with FERC licensing and other regulatory requirements
• Experience engaging stakeholders and navigating community, environmental, and regulatory considerations
• A passion for supporting market growth through client engagement and mentoring emerging talent

Our health and welfare benefits are designed to invest in you, and in the things you care about. Your health. Your well‑being. Your security. Your future. Employees have access to medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance, a 401(k) plan, and the ability to purchase company stock at a discount. Eligible employees may also enroll in a deferred compensation plan or the Executive Deferral Plan. Jacobs has an unlimited U.S. Personalized Paid Time Off (PPTO) policy for full‑time salaried/exempt employees, seven paid holidays, and caregiver leave. And certain roles may be eligible for additional rewards, including merit increases, performance discretionary bonus, and stock.

The base salary range for this position is $85,000.00 to $171,000.00. Within the range, individual pay is determined by work location and additional factors, including job‑related skills, experience, and relevant education or training.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. Job posted on September 23, 2026. This position will be open for at least 3 days.

We value collaboration and believe that in‑person interactions are crucial for both our culture and client delivery. We empower employees with our hybrid working policy, allowing them to split their work week between Jacobs offices/projects and remote locations enabling them to deliver their best work.

Your application experience is important to us, and we’re keen to adapt to make every interaction even better. If you require further support or reasonable adjustments with regards to the recruitment process (for example, you require the application form in a different format), please contact the team via Careers Support.