Senior Dam Safety Engineer/ FERC Independent Consultant

HDR; Rock Hill (SC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental benefits

Retirement plan with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

HDR seeks an experienced Senior Engineer in South Carolina to lead inspections, analyses and design for hydropower and dam safety projects. You will assess hydraulic structures, develop design options and coordinate multidisciplinary teams on complex projects.

The role requires a PE license, strong leadership, and deep knowledge of FERC processes. Travel for field inspections and meetings is expected as part of delivering high-quality engineering solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering required.

Responsibilities

• Perform inspections of and engineering assessments for dams and hydraulic structures as required.
• Develop design options or recommendations for hydropower and dam safety projects.
• Lead design of hydraulic structures including dams and spillways.
• Prepare contract documents with drawings and specifications.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Business development

Strategic planning

Communication

Teamwork

Independent work

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

MS Project

AutoCAD

MicroStation

ANSYS

ABAQUS

SAP2000

STAAD

RISA

MS Office

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. We empower everyone to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day and weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and our communities.

Primary Duties

• Perform inspections of, and engineering assessments for, dams and hydraulic structures (or participate in risk assessments for the same) as required for FERC CAs/PIs or other purposes.
• Conduct engineering analyses, evaluations and designs; develop design options or recommendations for hydropower, pumped‑storage and related dam safety projects.
• Lead design of new or rehabilitated hydraulic structures, including dams, spillways, gates, outlet works, diversion structures, retaining walls, floodwalls, water conveyance structures, or foundations for hydropower, pumped‑storage and related dam safety projects.
• Apply critical thinking and creativity to address unique engineering challenges or problems.
• Prepare contract documents including drawings, specifications, design documentation and criteria, and cost estimates with critical reports.
• Work with multi‑disciplinary teams on hydropower, pumped‑storage and dam safety engineering projects.
• Work independently as project engineer and provide oversight, checking, QA/QC and mentorship of staff as needed.
• Travel as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, Geotechnical Engineering (or related engineering degree).
• Minimum of 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• Experience with dams, water conveyances or other constructed project works and infrastructure associated with hydropower and pumped‑storage projects regulated by FERC or other agencies.
• Familiarity with and experience in FERC’s Part 12 Dam Safety Program, with emphasis on CAs, PIs and risk assessment.
• Experience working in a multi‑discipline environment.
• Knowledge and experience with the FERC regulatory process including STIDs, PFMAs, CSIRs, and SQRAs.
• Approved FERC Independent Consultant or ability to demonstrate same within 1‑2 years.
• Completion of training necessary to serve as IC or Facilitator for CAs.
• Familiarity with or experience performing structural analyses of hydraulic structures with finite element software (e.g., ANSYS, ABAQUS, SAP2000, STAAD, RISA).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, Excel and Word, AutoCAD and/or MicroStation. Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Self‑motivated, able to work independently and with a project team to complete tasks.
• Ability to travel as needed for inspections, meetings or other requirements.
• An attitude and commitment to quality, teamwork, innovative problem solving, communication, relationship management, and the culture integral to our employee‑ownership model.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• 10 years related experience.
• Minimum 5 years of project management experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience (Access experience would be plus).
• Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills.
• Commitment to being an active participant in our employee‑owned culture.

Benefits

We offer a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, paid time off, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, tuition reimbursement and other benefits for full‑time regular positions.

Equal Opportunity Statement

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer and consider all qualified applicants, irrespective of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.