Power Project Engineer (Hydropower Mechanical)

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Power Project Engineer to lead mechanical design for hydropower facilities—from planning through construction—delivering equipment studies, calculations, and design packages.

You will manage scope, schedule, budget, and risk while mentoring engineers and coordinating interfaces across disciplines; position located in California with national collaboration.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering is required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is required or recognized.
• 7+ years of progressive hydropower or water-conveyance experience.
• Experience in managing scope, schedule, budget, and risk.

Responsibilities

• Lead mechanical design for hydropower facilities from planning through construction.
• Deliver equipment studies, calculations, specifications, and design packages.
• Coordinate mechanical interfaces across multiple disciplines.
• Mentor early-career engineers through reviews and fieldwork.
• Manage project scope, schedule, budget, quality, and client coordination.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Client coordination

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

PLS CAD

AutoCAD

Plant 3D

AutoPipe

Revit

Job description

About HDR

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.

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.

Job Description

In the role of Power Project Engineer, we'll count on you to:

Serve as a key project participant leading mechanical design for hydropower facilities from planning through construction.

Deliver equipment studies, condition assessments, calculations, specifications, and mechanical design packages.

Design and evaluate turbines, generators, gates, valves, pumps, cranes, hoists, and balance-of-plant systems.

Lead field investigations, equipment inspections, design workshops, and constructability reviews.

Coordinate mechanical interfaces across civil, structural, electrical, controls, hydraulic, and water resources disciplines.

Prepare and review equipment specifications, drawings, calculations, reports, bid packages, and construction deliverables.

Manage scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, staffing, and client coordination for multidisciplinary projects.

Mentor early-career engineers through technical guidance, design reviews, and field experience.

Collaborate with HDR’s national Hydropower and Power network to access expertise and deliver projects nationwide.

Support utilities and water resources projects involving dams, gates, pumps, water conveyance, and related hydraulic equipment.

Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

Masters degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.

Approximately 7 or more years of progressive experience with hydropower, utility, dam, or water conveyance equipment. Prior consulting experience is a plus.

Consulting experience with turbines, gates, valves, pumps, balance-of-plant systems, fieldwork, and/or construction support.

Experience managing project scope, schedule, budget, quality, risk, staffing, and clients.

Experience mentoring engineers and collaborating with regional and national technical teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Previous experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software. (examples include PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit)
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

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 Employee Network Groups

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

United States-California-Folsom

Industry

Power

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Sep 14, 2026

Employment Equity

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

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employee.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.