Senior Mechanical Engineer-Hydropower Gates and Locks Specialist

Black & Veatch; Tualatin (OR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Black & Veatch seeks a senior mechanical engineer to lead, design, and manage hydropower projects. You will work on gate or valve design, dam safety input, and turbine upgrades, applying mechanical engineering expertise and risk assessment.

You will guide technical teams, prepare specs/drawings, perform advanced analyses (FEA), and ensure compliance with codes and BV policies. A PE license and 11+ years’ experience are preferred, with travel up to 10% and hybrid work options.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering from an accredited program.
• 11+ years in mechanical or systems engineering for locks, dams or water conveyance.
• FEA experience and a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
• Previous client-facing role and ability to lead design teams.

Responsibilities

• Continuously develop knowledge and guide teams on design guides, standards, and BV policies.
• Prepare specifications and drawings for complex engineering deliverables on challenging projects.
• Perform advanced research and analysis, evaluate condition data, and apply engineering techniques.
• Manage budget, schedule, and quality, and coordinate multiple discipline activities.
• Identify client interests and support business development or pursuit activities.

Skills

Leadership

Design

Project management

Mechanical engineering

FEA

Client facing

P.E. license

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering

Job description

Opportunity

In this role you will have the opportunity to lead, design, and manage new and upgraded projects on hydropower systems that may include:

• Conceptual studies of mechanical equipment related to hydraulic structures, including condition assessments, hydraulic evaluations, & calculations
• Design of gates for Dams or water conveyance projects, including radial (tainter), drum, crest, and roller gates
• Large valves for Dam outlets and emergency shutoff of conveyance; In-stream flow (IFR) valves
• Gate hosts and actuation systems with custom‑designed gearing
• Sector gates and tow haulage for Locks & Dams
• Fluid power actuation systems, including oil and oil‑alternatives
• Penstock and associated piping
• Deicing systems such as bubblers
• Intake screens and trash rakes
• Gantry and Jib Cranes

The role also involves dam safety inspections related to mechanical equipment and providing input for risk assessment. You may also support hydro turbine unit upgrades and powerhouse balance of plant systems.

Key Responsibilities

• Continuously developing knowledge and may provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. Provides technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
• Prepares specifications and drawings for complex engineering deliverables for challenging projects.
• Capable of performing complex research and analysis leading to recommendations for potential solutions. May oversee collection, assimilation, and evaluation of condition data for engineering work. Independently applies advanced engineering techniques and analysis methods. Applies knowledge of standard methods and industry codes.
• Manages assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Actively delegates appropriate tasks to lower level team members and reviews their work. Is responsible for one or more of the following: leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for a project.
• Responsible for identifying and communicating key client interests and drivers to project team members and developing approaches. Provides support to business development or pursuit activities.
• Recognized as a technical specialist and has knowledge and skill set to provide consultation and guidance to project teams in a particular practice area.
• May be accountable for some administrative responsibilities that include but aren't limited to:
  • Ensuring policies, procedures and processes are effectively implemented and communicated for work group.
  • Ensuring adherence to corporate and division programs.
  • Complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing
• 25+ years of mechanical or systems engineering experience related to locks, dams or water conveyance facilities
• Experience in finite element analysis (FEA)
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license
• Previous experience in a client facing role

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing or equivalent experience in Engineering work. Minimum of 11 years related work experience. All applicants must be able to complete pre‑employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Holds an active engineering registration or licensure to support engineer of record (EOR) requirements for BV projects in applicable countries, and supports where necessary.

Work Environment / Physical Demands

• This position would require working in a typical office environment. The position may entail prolonged periods of sitting and computer use, and the professional would ideally be able to maintain focus and attention to detail throughout the workday. The position may also be require physical tasks during site visits, including crouching, grasping, and standing/walking for extended periods of time.
• Ability to travel 10% of the time.
• Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.

Compensation Transparency

In accordance with local requirements, the annual compensation ranges for this role are listed below by state or jurisdiction and reflect the applicable office location(s) within each. Final compensation is determined based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, internal alignment, geographic location and other factors permitted by law.

• State of California: $156,299 - 261,008

Salary Plan

REG: Registered Engineering

Job Grade

017

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement

BVH, Inc., its subsidiaries and its affiliated companies, complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations. Black & Veatch does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or other status protected by law.