Senior Mechanical Project Manager – Hydropower

McMillen, Inc.; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 138,000 - 230,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with match

Generous PTO

Paid holidays

Job summary

McMillen, Inc. is seeking a Senior Mechanical Project Manager specializing in hydropower, based in Boise, Idaho. The role demands over 10 years of experience in mechanical engineering, including extensive project management expertise. Responsibilities include managing client relationships, overseeing project scope and costs, and leading multi-disciplinary teams. The position offers a competitive salary ranging from $138,000 to $230,000 based on experience, along with comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, 401(k) plans, and more.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering, with focus on hydropower projects.
• 5+ years of experience as a Project Manager preferred.
• Professional Engineering registration is required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and maintain client relationships.
• Identify and pursue project opportunities.
• Manage changes to project scope, schedule, and costs.
• Ensure effective management of multi-disciplinary teams.

Skills

Mechanical engineering

Project management

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Familiarity with Federal Agency codes

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Master's degree in relevant field

Job description

Senior Mechanical Project Manager – Hydropower

McMillen, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled Senior Mechanical Project Manager – Hydropower with 10+ years of experience focused on hydropower and water resource-related work. The Senior PM will work in a variety of water-related projects in fields including but not limited to: hydropower, pump stations, dams, flood control, hydraulic modeling, and fish passage.

McMillen, Inc. designs and builds solutions that shape the future of water resources. As an employee‑owned firm, we take pride in every project because we know our work truly matters. Our people thrive on solving complex challenges, pushing boundaries, and refining their craft.

We are focused in the dams, energy, fisheries, natural resources, and infrastructure markets. With staff across the United States, Canada, Europe, and beyond, we bring global best practices to our clients. Our people integrate engineering, environmental, and construction expertise to deliver practical, results‑driven outcomes. From concept to completion, projects are guided through feasibility studies, permitting, design, construction, and commissioning, ensuring technical precision and real‑world functionality.

Responsibilities

• Develop, manage, and maintain client relationships. Actively participate in developing relationships with key clients, participating in professional service organizations, and attending conferences/events. Conduct or participate in workshops and meetings with clients.
• Identify project opportunities, actively pursue opportunities, and prepare proposals. Consult with clients to plan and develop strategies for their water resource needs. Work cooperatively with Market Leads, Discipline Leads, and Operations Managers in local and national marketing production efforts.
• Conduct a kick‑off meeting with all key stakeholders in order to announce the start of the project and review the overall project plan and gain consensus.
• Document high‑level risks, assumptions, and constraints using historical data and expert judgment in order to understand project limitations.
• Manage changes to the project scope, project schedule, and project costs using appropriate verification techniques in order to keep the project plan accurate, updated, reflective of authorized project changes as defined in the change management plan, and facilitate customer acceptance.
• Ensure a common understanding by setting expectations in accordance with the Project Plan, in order to align the stakeholders and team members.
• Effectively manage multi‑disciplinary teams for a wide range of water resources projects and tasks.
• Measure project performance using appropriate tools and techniques in order to monitor the progress of the project, identify and quantify any variances, perform any required corrective actions, and communicate to all stakeholders.
• Execute the tasks as defined in the project plan in order to achieve the project goals.
• Identify key project team members by defining roles and responsibilities to create a project organization structure in order to develop the communication plan.
• Implement the approved actions and workarounds required to mitigate project risk events in order to minimize the impact of the risks on the project.
• Record detailed customer requirements, constraints, and assumptions with stakeholders in order to establish the project deliverables, using requirement‑gathering techniques (e.g., planning sessions, brainstorming, focus groups) and the project charter.
• Improve team performance by building team cohesiveness, leading, mentoring, training, and motivating in order to facilitate cooperation, ensure project efficiency, and boost morale.
• Develop and maintain relationships with operations managers around the company to facilitate work sharing.
• Evaluation and design of water resource projects and other mechanical engineering support tasks. Design experience should include familiarity with hydropower generating units, penstocks, turbine shutoff valves, mechanical balance of plant systems, cranes, hoists, machine design, pump stations, and process piping systems.
• Develop detailed designs, plans, and specifications for hydropower, dams, or fisheries related projects, including hydropower unit rehabilitations, powerhouse crane rehabilitation or replacement projects, intake gate hoisting systems, trash rakes, spillway gate hoists, pump station design, fish hatchery or fish passage facilities.
• Conduct analysis and condition assessments of hydropower, pumping, or other water‑resource mechanical systems, including uprate studies and coordination with equipment suppliers/vendors to develop recommendations for rehabilitation or replacement projects.
• Prepare or oversee preparation of planning reports, plans and specifications, and cost estimates for various hydropower, pumping, or other water‑resource infrastructure projects.
• Manage planning, design and construction support services for hydropower and other water‑resource infrastructure projects (Design Project Manager).
• Collection and analysis of field data, as‑built plans and engineering reports to establish existing conditions and identify critical areas for design criteria.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering from an ABET accredited University.
• Master's degree preferred.
• 10+ years of experience in mechanical engineering.
• 5+ years of experience as a Project Manager preferred.
• Professional Engineering registration is required. California PE registration strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience with water resource infrastructure including fishery related projects, water conveyance, storm water networks, heavy grading, water treatment, wastewater treatment and pump stations.
• Strong communication, technical and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with Federal Agency codes and requirements, including FERC, USACE, USBR.
• Regular, predictable attendance is required.
• Ability to get along and work effectively with others.

Compensation Package

• Pay Range: $138,000 - $230,000 (DOE)
• Benefits: McMillen provides a full Benefits Program comprising medical, dental, vision, life, disability, FSA, EAP, HSA, 401(k) and match, 9 paid holidays, generous PTO, opportunity for stock ownership, and wellness reimbursement.

McMillen, Inc. is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and will make all employment related decisions without race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.

Visa sponsorship, including renewal during employment, will not be provided for this position.