Senior Hydromechanical Engineer - Dams & Hydropower

Schnabel Inc.; Harrisburg (Dauphin County); On-site; USD 100,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Flexible spending accounts

Employee life & ADD insurance (100%公司‑

Short-term disability (100% company‑)

Long-term disability

Supplemental life insurance

401(k) and profit-sharing plan

Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)

Paid time off

9 Paid Holidays

Wellness program

Professional development and tuition  

Job summary

Schnabel is an employee-owned engineering and consulting firm specializing in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. We seek an experienced Mechanical Engineer with 10+ years to lead design and evaluation of hydromechanical systems for dams, levees, hydropower facilities, and related infrastructure.

Location flexibility on East Coast, with Southeast PA preferred. The role includes mentoring junior staff, supporting business development, and coordinating across

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering from an accredited university.
• 10+ years of relevant professional engineering experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license and ability to obtain licensure in other jurisdictions through reciprocity.
• Demonstrated experience with the design, analysis, inspection, or rehabilitation of heavy mechanical and hydromechanical systems.
• Project management experience, including the offer and execution phases of projects.
• Experience preparing technical specifications and construction documents.
• Strong understanding of mechanical system design principles, structural behavior of mechanical equipment, materials and corrosion protection systems, welding and fabrication practices, and mechanical equipment installation and commissioning.
• Experience using engineering analysis software and standard design tools.
• Strong technical writing and communication skills.
• Experience in business development to grow mechanical engineering services.
• Confidence and independent decision-making, with a shared sense of responsibility.
• Proven history of business development experience.
• Ability to lead staff and work across business lines in a matrix organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead the mechanical design and evaluation of systems related to various civil infrastructure projects, including dams and levees, hydroelectric facilities, pump stations, intakes, and fish facilities.
• Develop designs for tainter, vertical lift, slide, and roller gates; stoplogs and bulkheads; hydraulic and electric gate hoists; penstocks; butterfly and fixed-cone valves; jet flow, knife, and sluice gates; and pump station mechanical systems.
• Perform engineering analyses including structural and mechanical calculations, equipment sizing and selection, load analysis, hydraulic force evaluation, fatigue and service life assessments, and operating system evaluations.
• Prepare engineering reports, technical memoranda, specifications, and design drawings.
• Conduct condition assessments and inspections of existing hydromechanical equipment.
• Evaluate rehabilitation alternatives and develop recommendations for repair, replacement, or modernization.
• Serve as a project or discipline lead on multidisciplinary infrastructure projects.
• Coordinate and collaborate with internal and external structural, civil, geotechnical, electrical, mechanical and water resources engineering teams, leveraging Schnabel’s deep bench of senior technical experts for mentoring, peer review, quality assurance and guidance on complex engineering challenges.
• Support permitting, regulatory reviews, and owner coordination.
• Review and respond to contractor submittals, RFIs, manufacturing, supply chain, and field support during successful project execution.
• Participate in factory acceptance testing (FAT), commissioning, and startup activities.
• Travel, as necessary, to support essential functions of the role.
• Develop and maintain strong client relationships with public agencies, utilities, contractors, and private owners.
• Assist with proposal preparation, scope development, and fee estimates.
• Participate in project interviews and technical presentations.
• Identify opportunities for expanding mechanical and hydromechanical engineering services.
• Mentor and train junior engineers and designers.
• Actively engage with senior mechanical engineering staff for technical guidance, peer review, professional development, and the advancement of specialized expertise.
• Actively engage with Dams Business Unit leadership and senior technical staff to advance the state of practice in mechanical engineering, improve project delivery, and foster technical excellence across the company.
• Perform quality reviews of engineering analyses, designs, drawings, and specifications.
• Contribute to the development of technical standards, internal communities of practice, best practice guidance documents, and design guidelines.

Skills

Mechanical design

Hydromechanical systems

Project management

Technical writing

Business development

Leadership

Team mentorship

Communication skills

Proposal development

Team cross-collaboration

Education

B.S. in Mechanical Engineering

M.S. in Mechanical Engineering (preferred)

Tools

Engineering analysis software

Job description

Schnabel is an employee-owned engineering and consulting firm specializing in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. We seek an experienced Mechanical Engineer with 10+ years to lead design and evaluation of hydromechanical systems for dams, levees, hydropower facilities, and related infrastructure.

Location flexibility on East Coast, with Southeast PA preferred. The role includes mentoring junior staff, supporting business development, and coordinating across