Practice Leader, Dams & Hydraulics Structures

Geosyntec Consultants; Chattanooga (TN); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive pay and benefits

Well-being programs

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Chattanooga, TN is seeking a Practice Leader for Dams & Hydraulics Structures. This role involves leading business development and providing technical expertise in dam engineering. The ideal candidate will hold a Civil Engineering degree and possess over 10 years of relevant experience, including a strong background in hydrology and hydraulic engineering. Competitive benefits and potential for hybrid work arrangements are offered.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in consulting or relevant engineering roles.
• Registered Professional Engineer in the U.S.
• Knowledge of water resources and dam practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead business development activities and establish client relationships.
• Provide technical leadership for Dams and Hydraulic Structures projects.
• Mentor and develop staff within the practice.

Skills

Leadership in technical projects

Business development

Mentoring technical staff

Risk-Informed-Decision-Making

Hydraulics knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Advanced degree in Civil or related fields

Job description

Primary Location: US‑TN‑Chattanooga; Additional Locations: US‑TN‑Brentwood, US‑NC‑Asheville, US‑WV‑Huntington, US‑NC‑Charlotte, US‑TN‑Johnson City, US‑TN‑Nashville, US‑TN‑Knoxville

Job ID: 2026‑4294
Position Type: Regular Full‑Time
Remote: No

Overview

D o you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?

We are seeking an exceptional Practice Leader, Dams & Hydraulics Structures, preferably in Chattanooga, TN; Brentwood, TN; Asheville, NC; Huntington, WV; Charlotte, NC; Nashville, TN; Knoxville, TN; or Johnson City, TN, to serve as an Engineering Practice Leader for Dams and Hydraulic Structures or any of our other Geosyntec offices throughout the U.S. This position may offer the flexibility to work a hybrid or fully remote schedule at the discretion of the company. The ideal candidate will have a degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in one of the following disciplines: geotechnical engineering, geological engineering, hydrology and hydraulics, or structural engineering, and a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience. This role will provide technical expertise and collaborate with our existing network of dam engineering professionals to grow our national Dams & Hydraulic Structures Engineering practice in the Region and contribute to innovative and challenging projects involving heavy‑civil works and hydraulic structures such as embankment and concrete dams, spillways, outlet works, conveyance systems, river navigation locks, flood walls, and powerhouses.

Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public‑sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.

We invest in our people. Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well‑being programs to support you and your family.

To Learn More Visit: http://www.geosyntec.com/careers/.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Collaboration and mentoring are cornerstones of Geosyntec's culture. We operate under a sell‑manage‑do culture, and so we expect that you will work on challenging technical projects while leveraging your existing knowledge and experience to help Geosyntec expand its current practices and capabilities through business development and client management. You may also be asked to take on project management responsibilities, along with staff management and development, and mentoring tasks.

• Lead business development activities within adjacent states, including:
• Develop and coordinate a Regional business strategy for Dams and Hydraulic Structures, focused initially on power utility and government clients.
• Establish relationships with potential clients.
• Identify and track clients and opportunities.
• Recruit top talent and assemble a multi‑disciplinary team.
• Leverage existing and establish new relationships with potential teaming partners.
• Work with marketing staff for the preparation of marketing materials.
• Lead the preparation of technical proposals.
• Participate in professional organizations and activities.
• Provide leadership within the Geosyntec Dams and Hydraulic Structures practice to develop and implement current dam engineering best practices within the firm.
• Serve as a mentor for technical staff and assist with staff development and recruiting to grow the firm's dam engineering capabilities particularly within the Southeast US.
• Provide technical leadership, direction, and oversight for Dams and Hydraulic Structures projects in one or more of the following technical areas:
• Dam safety inspections and engineering assessments of concrete dams and their appurtenances and structural aspects of embankment dams, levees, and other water management structures.
• Hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for spillway and outlet works evaluations and design, dam break analyses, and inundation mapping for consequence evaluation.
• Geotechnical analyses and design for embankment dams including seepage analysis, slope stability analysis, and liquefaction triggering.
• Structural evaluations and stability analyses of concrete dams, spillways, outlet works, and other ancillary structures.
• Performing potential failure modes analyses and SQRA and QRA risk analyses.
• Alternatives analyses to evaluate and compare rehabilitation options for embankment and concrete dams.
• Analysis, design, and detailing of rehabilitation schemes for dams and appurtenances, foundations and anchoring systems, reinforced concrete and structural structures, roller‑compacted concrete (RCC) dams, chute spillway structures, energy dissipation structures, aprons; and channels.
• Preparation of construction plans and specifications.
• Instrumentation of dams and ancillary structures.
• Design services during construction.
• Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.

Education and Licensure

• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering (or related engineering degree). (required)
• Advanced degree in Civil, Geotechnical, Geology, Structural, or Hydraulics Engineering. (preferred)
• Registered as a Professional Engineer in the U.S. (required) and Virginia or Tennessee (required or ability to receive P.E. via comity within 6‑months of employment)
• NCEES Record for PE comity. (preferred)

Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• At least 10 years (15+ preferred) of progressive experience in consulting industry, or equivalent combination of advanced education and experience. (required)
• Knowledge of and experience with the water resources and dams practice in the Region.
• Knowledge of Risk‑Informed‑Decision‑Making methodologies such as USACE, FERC, and Reclamation. (preferred)
• Field work and overnight travel may be required.
• Current OSHA 40‑hr HAZWOPER training and refreshers. (preferred)
• Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client‑driven drug and background testing may be required.
• Valid U.S. driver's license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)