Principal Engineer Lead, Hydrology & Hydraulics - Mining & Dams

BBA Consultants; Lakewood (CO); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

BBA Consultants seeks a Principal Engineer Lead – Hydrology, Hydraulics & Dam Safety to provide technical authority for water management, tailings, and dam-related projects in the mining sector. You will lead dam safety governance, mentor professionals, and engage with clients on planning, design, assessment, and operation of tailings storage facilities and water management systems.

The role emphasizes regulatory compliance, technical review, and coordination of multidisciplinary teams to ensure

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or equivalent (from the HTML).
• Master’s degree or PhD in Hydraulics, Hydrology, Water Resources, or related field is a strong asset (from the HTML).

Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership for hydrology, hydraulics, and dam safety aspects of mining projects.
• Lead and review hydrological/hydroclimatic studies and hydraulic analyses for dam and tailings design.
• Support tailings governance frameworks and water management strategies.

Skills

Hydrology

Hydraulics

Dam Safety

Leadership

Regulatory Compliance

Job description

Principal Engineer Lead, Hydrology & Hydraulics - Mining & Dams

BBA is seeking a Principal Engineer Lead – Hydrology,Hydraulics & Dam Safety to provide technical authority and leadership forwater management, tailings, and dam-related projects in the mining sector. Thisrole is central to the safe design, operation, and governance of dams andtailings facilities, where hydrological risk, hydraulic performance, andregulatory compliance are critical.
You will act as a senior technical advisor and damsafety leader, supporting clients in the planning, design, assessment, andoperation of tailings storage facilities, water retention dams, diversionstructures, and mine water management systems. The role combines advancedtechnical responsibility, dam safety governance, mentoring, and clientengagement.

With us, you’ll get the opportunity to

TechnicalLeadership & Dam Safety Authority

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for hydrology, hydraulics, and dam safety aspects of mining projects
• Act as senior technical reviewer for dams, tailings storage facilities, and mine water management infrastructure
• Lead and review hydrological and hydroclimatic studies, including:
  • Catchment and watershed analyses
  • Extreme flood estimation and design floods
  • Hydroclimatic and statistical analyses
  • Climate change impact and adaptation assessments
• Lead hydraulic analyses and modelling to support dam and tailings design, including:
  • Spillway and outlet works capacity
  • Flood routing and reservoir routing
  • Freeboard assessments
  • Emergency spillway performance
• Perform or oversee 1D, 2D, and 3D hydraulic simulations for dams, tailings facilities, and diversion systems

Tailings & Mine Water Management

• Lead the development of integrated mine watermanagement strategies, including water balances, operational waterrouting, and contingency planning.
• Develop and review water and mass balance modelsfor tailings storage facilities and mine operations.
• Support tailings governance frameworks, includingdesign basis, operating criteria, and performance monitoring.
• Contribute to closure and long-term watermanagement strategies for tailings and mine facilities.
• Lead and contribute to dam safety assessments, including:
  • Dam Safety Reviews (DSRs)
  • Independent Technical Reviews (ITRs)
  • Consequence classification and hazard assessments
  • Failure modes and effects analyses (FMEA)
• Support emergency preparedness and response planning, including dam break analysis and inundation mapping and emergency action plans (EAPs)
• Prepare and review dam safety documentation in support of regulatory submissions and audits
• Ensure alignment with applicable U.S. dam safety regulations, guidelines, and industry standards, as well as international best practices
• Serve as a technical mentor and leader for hydrotechnical and dam safetyprofessionals
• Supportproposals, scopes, and technical approaches for dam and tailings projects
• Act as a trusted technical advisor to mining clients and regulatoryauthorities
• Promote best practices in safety, risk management, and responsible tailingsgovernance

Do your qualities and values matchour corporate culture?

• Strongethical standards and commitment to public and environmental safety
• Deepinterest in complex, high-consequence engineering challenges
• Results-drivenwith sound engineering judgment
• Collaborativeleadership and knowledge-sharing mindset
• Strongcommitment to health, safety, and responsible mining practices

Summary of certifications and jobrequirements

• Bachelor’sdegree in civil engineering or equivalent
• Master’sdegree or PhD in Hydraulics, Hydrology, Water Resources, or related fieldis a strong asset
• LicensedProfessional Engineer (PE) or eligible for licensure in the United States
• 20+years of experience in hydrology, hydraulics, and dam safety, preferablyin mining and tailings projects
• Demonstratedexperience with dam safety evaluations, tailings facilities, and floodrisk management
• Advancedproficiency in hydrological and hydraulic modelling tools
• Strongwritten and verbal communication skills in English
• Asset:Familiarity with U.S. dam safety regulations and regulatory processes
• Asset: Experience supporting Emergency ActionPlans (EAPs) and inundation mapping
• Asset: Knowledge of instrumentation,hydrometry, and dam monitoring systems
• Asset: Familiarity with international dam andtailings guidelines (e.g., industry best practices)
• Asset: Experience incorporating climate changeconsiderations into dam and flood design

Type of position: Regular

Your future role at BBA

BBA is seeking a Principal Engineer Lead – Hydrology,Hydraulics & Dam Safety to provide technical authority and leadership forwater management, tailings, and dam-related projects in the mining sector. Thisrole is central to the safe design, operation, and governance of dams andtailings facilities, where hydrological risk, hydraulic performance, andregulatory compliance are critical.
You will act as a senior technical advisor and damsafety leader, supporting clients in the planning, design, assessment, andoperation of tailings storage facilities, water retention dams, diversionstructures, and mine water management systems. The role combines advancedtechnical responsibility, dam safety governance, mentoring, and clientengagement.

With us, you’ll get the opportunity to

TechnicalLeadership & Dam Safety Authority

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for hydrology, hydraulics, and dam safety aspects of mining projects
• Act as senior technical reviewer for dams, tailings storage facilities, and mine water management infrastructure
• Lead and review hydrological and hydroclimatic studies, including:
  • Catchment and watershed analyses
  • Extreme flood estimation and design floods
  • Hydroclimatic and statistical analyses
  • Climate change impact and adaptation assessments
• Lead hydraulic analyses and modelling to support dam and tailings design, including:
  • Spillway and outlet works capacity
  • Flood routing and reservoir routing
  • Freeboard assessments
  • Emergency spillway performance
• Perform or oversee 1D, 2D, and 3D hydraulic simulations for dams, tailings facilities, and diversion systems

Tailings & Mine Water Management

• Lead the development of integrated mine watermanagement strategies, including water balances, operational waterrouting, and contingency planning.
• Develop and review water and mass balance modelsfor tailings storage facilities and mine operations.
• Support tailings governance frameworks, includingdesign basis, operating criteria, and performance monitoring.
• Contribute to closure and long-term watermanagement strategies for tailings and mine facilities.

Dam Safety, Risk & RegulatoryCompliance

• Lead and contribute to dam safety assessments, including:
  • Dam Safety Reviews (DSRs)
  • Independent Technical Reviews (ITRs)
  • Consequence classification and hazard assessments
  • Failure modes and effects analyses (FMEA)
• Support emergency preparedness and response planning, including dam break analysis and inundation mapping and emergency action plans (EAPs)
• Prepare and review dam safety documentation in support of regulatory submissions and audits
• Ensure alignment with applicable U.S. dam safety regulations, guidelines, and industry standards, as well as international best practices

Leadership, Mentorship & Client Engagement

• Serve as a technical mentor and leader for hydrotechnical and dam safetyprofessionals
• Support proposals, scopes, and technical approaches for dam and tailings projects
• Act as a trusted technical advisor to mining clients and regulatory authorities
• Promote best practices in safety, risk management, and responsible tailingsgovernance

Do your qualities and values matchour corporate culture?

• Strongethical standards and commitment to public and environmental safety
• Deepinterest in complex, high-consequence engineering challenges
• Results-drivenwith sound engineering judgment
• Collaborativeleadership and knowledge-sharing mindset
• Strongcommitment to health, safety, and responsible mining practices

Summary of certifications and jobrequirements

• Bachelor’sdegree in civil engineering or equivalent
• Master’sdegree or PhD in Hydraulics, Hydrology, Water Resources, or related fieldis a strong asset
• LicensedProfessional Engineer (PE) or eligible for licensure in the United States
• 20+years of experience in hydrology, hydraulics, and dam safety, preferablyin mining and tailings projects
• Demonstratedexperience with dam safety evaluations, tailings facilities, and floodrisk management
• Advancedproficiency in hydrological and hydraulic modelling tools
• Strongwritten and verbal communication skills in English
• Asset:Familiarity with U.S. dam safety regulations and regulatory processes
• Asset: Experience supporting Emergency ActionPlans (EAPs) and inundation mapping
• Asset: Knowledge of instrumentation,hydrometry, and dam monitoring systems
• Asset: Familiarity with international dam andtailings guidelines (e.g., industry best practices)
• Asset: Experience incorporating climate changeconsiderations into dam and flood design

About BBA

BBA is one of Canada’s leading private consulting engineering firms, with over 45 years of experience serving the energy and natural resources industry.

Our people are the foundation of our success. Their passion and excellence have earned us recognition as one of Canada’s Best Employers and Best Managed Companies , and we’re committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels empowered to grow, lead and be themselves.

Our teams bring together engineering, environmental and commissioning expertise to deliver practical, innovative and sustainable solutions—from strategy to execution. With 20 offices across Canada, the U.S. and Latin America, we combine local presence with international reach, offering clients close collaboration and field-ready support.

Learn more about our culture and projects on LinkedIn or connect with our talent team.