Project Engineer - Dams, Hydraulics & Water Resources

GFT; Irvine (CA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work environment

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Pet insurance

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Disability insurance

Life insurance

401(k) savings plan

Paid time off (PTO)

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Job summary

GFT seeks a Dam Engineer to join our team, focusing on dam safety, hydraulics, and hydrology for complex projects across multiple states. The role requires leading medium-to-large projects, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, and delivering high-quality design solutions.

The candidate will work on embankment dams, spillways, and reservoir hydrology, with opportunities to manage client relations, proposals, and business development while mentoring junior staff.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience in civil, water resources, dam safety, or hydraulic engineering.
• PE license required or in good standing with state board.
• Experience with dam safety principles and hydrology/hydraulic design standards.

Responsibilities

• Designing and analyzing dam embankments, seepage, slope stability, and dam safety issues.
• Analyzing reinforced concrete hydraulic structures like spillways and stilling basins for complex sites.
• Leading large/complex engineering assignments and coordinating across disciplines.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Team coordination

Self-starter

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related discipline

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

HEC-RAS

HydroCAD

HY-8

EPA SWMM

Job description

What You Will Do

As GFT continues to grow and expand, we are seeking a talented Dam Engineer to join our team in Texas! This person can be located anywhere in the State of Texas! But we will also consider folks in NM, CO, OK, AR, or LA.

What you'll be challenged to do:

The Dam Engineer will have experience with Dams in either one of the following areas of focus: Structural Engineer of Dams, Geotechnical Engineer of Dams or H&H Engineer of Dams. This role offers an exceptional career opportunity for a proven self-starter with a customer-focused approach, capable of leading medium-to-large-scale projects with a strong emphasis on delivering the highest quality results.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Designing and analyzing various types of dam embankments and flood control structures, focusing on seepage, slope stability, and dam safety issues
• OR
• Designing and analyzing reinforced concrete hydraulic structures, such as spillways, outlet works, and stilling basins for complex sites.
• OR
• Analyzing, determining and executing Hydrology and Hydraulic design criteria for reservoirs and their floodways, including but not limited to dam break hazard analyses, firm yield analyses hydrologic modeling and reservoir routing.
• Independently applying advanced theories, concepts, and principles of engineering to address critical issues and unique conditions.
• Participating in the development of project design concepts and criteria, including research on large or complex project elements.
• Leading the interpretation, organization, execution, and coordination of large or complex engineering assignments.
• Acting as a technical specialist in the preparation of proposals.
• Managing project teams, including potential integration across multiple disciplines.
• Serving as Project Manager, Client Manager, and/or Proposal Manager as needed.
• Conducting QA/QC reviews to ensure high-quality deliverables.
• Supervising a team of engineers and other technical specialists, as applicable.
• Collaborating closely with clients to ensure satisfaction and contribute to business development initiatives.
• Preparing engineering memorandums, reports, design drawings, and specifications.
• Providing observation support and guidance to construction management staff during project construction phases.
• Preparing engineering design cost proposals and assisting with marketing and business development efforts as required.

Education | Experience

What You'll Bring To Our Firm

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or related discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• 8+ years of experience in civil, water resources, dam safety, or hydraulic engineering.
• Experience with:
  • AutoCAD Civil 3D
  • HEC-RAS
  • HydroCAD
  • HY-8
  • EPA SWMM
• Knowledge of:
  • Dam safety engineering principles
  • Stormwater management design
  • Erosion and sediment control
  • Civil site grading and drainage design
  • Water resources engineering

What We Prefer You Bring

• Experience supporting FERC-regulated hydropower facilities.
• Experience with USACE, FEMA, state dam safety programs, or water management districts.
• Familiarity with reservoir, spillway, and embankment rehabilitation projects.
• Project management experience and client-facing responsibilities.
• Experience leading design teams and mentoring junior staff.

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $170,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.

GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.

Location & Hours

Location: Texas PREFERRED, California, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Colorado, or New Mexico

Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status: Full-Time or Hybrid

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles- Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco- Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California-Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.