Senior Operations Specialist (Water)

HDR; Memphis (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Senior Operations Specialist in Memphis, TN. This role focuses on water treatment projects, requiring over 10 years of specialized experience. Responsibilities include supporting project leaders and managing operations for municipal and industrial clients. Candidates must hold a high school diploma and preferably possess a professional engineering or high-level water treatment license. The position offers a chance to drive progress in a committed, employee-owned culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years field experience at water treatment facilities.
• Commitment to being an active participant in our employee-owned culture.
• Valid driver’s license required.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance management systems.
• Commitment to employee‑owned culture.
• Valid driver’s license.

Responsibilities

• Support project leaders on water treatment projects.
• Review drawings for operability and HazOps analysis.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans and host workshops for contractors and operators.
• Perform startup and commissioning of new water treatment facilities.
• Provide formal and informal training to help clients operate their plants as well as possible.
• Participate in testing facilities to ensure readiness and capacity compliance.
• Perform condition assessment and asset management on water and wastewater facilities.
• Conduct operational or maintenance troubleshooting of municipal and industrial water facilities.

Skills

Troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment

Interpreting engineering plans and specifications

Experience with Microsoft Office

Education

High School diploma or equivalent

High-level water treatment operator license or professional engineering license

Tools

Computerized maintenance management systems

CMMS

Job description

Senior Operations Specialist

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work everyday.

HDR fights for inclusion throughout its company and communities, asking what our impact is on the world.

Our Water Business Group helps shape how communities manage water for generations to come, delivering safe drinking water, treating wastewater, developing sustainable supplies, and protecting lives through flood control.

This role is not just a job—it’s a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy by working on municipal and industrial water treatment facilities.

About Us

For over 100 years, HDR has specialized in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services, supporting partners from small local utilities to the largest global companies. With nearly 13,000 employee owners worldwide, HDR ranks in the top 10 of water‑related design firms.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support HDR project leaders at local, state, and regional levels on water treatment projects requiring Operations Specialists.
• Review drawings for operability and HazOps analysis.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects with municipal and industrial clients.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans and host workshops for contractors and operators.
• Perform startup and commissioning of new water treatment facilities.
• Provide formal and informal training to help clients operate their plants as well as possible.
• Participate in testing facilities to ensure readiness and capacity compliance.
• Perform condition assessment and asset management on water and wastewater facilities.
• Conduct operational or maintenance troubleshooting of municipal and industrial water facilities.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum 10 years field experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment at water treatment facilities and/or resolving process problems. Construction experience is a plus.
• High-level water treatment operator license or professional engineering license.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance management systems.
• Commitment to being an active participant in our employee‑owned culture.
• Valid driver’s license.

Required Qualifications

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Microsoft Office experience.
• General background‑related experience.
• Commitment to our employee‑owned culture.

Seniority level

• Mid‑Senior level

Employment type

• Full‑time

Job function

• Management, Consulting, and Engineering

Industries

• Architecture and Planning, Civil Engineering, and Design Services

Primary Location

• United States, Virginia, Vienna

Other Locations

• United States, West Virginia
• United States, Ohio, Cincinnati
• United States, North Carolina, Charlotte
• United States, Georgia
• United States, New York, East Syracuse
• United States, Florida, Doral
• United States, Alabama, Mobile
• United States, Florida, Fort Lauderdale
• United States, Pennsylvania, Bethlehem
• United States, North Carolina, Wilmington
• United States, Tennessee, Nashville
• United States, Florida, Panama City
• United States, New Jersey, Newark
• United States, Maine
• United States, Ohio
• United States, Florida
• United States, District of Columbia, Washington DC
• United States, Maryland, Lusby
• United States, New York, White Plains
• United States, Florida, Tallahassee
• United States, Mississippi, Jackson area
• United States, South Carolina, Charleston
• United States, Virginia, Roanoke
• United States, Maryland
• United States, New York, Albany
• United States, South Carolina, Columbia
• United States, Delaware
• United States, New York
• United States, Florida, Orlando
• United States, Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh
• United States, Virginia
• United States, New York, Syracuse
• United States, Massachusetts
• United States, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia
• United States, Virginia, Glen Allen
• United States, Arkansas
• United States, Virginia, Virginia Beach
• United States, Florida, Miami
• United States, Massachusetts, Boston
• United States, Kentucky
• United States, New Jersey, Pennington
• United States, New Jersey
• United States, Connecticut, Rocky Hill
• United States, New York, New York
• United States, Georgia, Savannah
• United States, Arkansas, Little Rock
• United States, Pennsylvania, Mechanicsburg
• United States, North Carolina, Winston‑Salem
• United States, Alabama
• United States, Virginia, Alexandria
• United States, Tennessee
• United States, Kentucky, Louisville
• United States, North Carolina, Greensboro
• United States, Georgia, Atlanta
• United States, South Carolina, Greenville
• United States, Maine, Portland
• United States, Pennsylvania, Plymouth Meeting
• United States, South Carolina
• United States, Tennessee, Memphis
• United States, Virginia, Richmond
• United States, New Jersey, Woodcliff Lake
• United States, North Carolina
• United States, Florida, Jacksonville
• United States, Connecticut
• United States, Pennsylvania
• United States, North Carolina, Raleigh
• United States, Ohio, Cleveland
• United States, Florida, Tampa
• United States, Florida, West Palm Beach
• United States, West Virginia, Charleston
• United States, Mississippi
• United States, Ohio, Columbus
• United States, Rhode Island
• United States, Kentucky, Lexington

Industry

Water

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Business Class

WW Treatment and Effluent Management

Job Posting

Dec 31, 2025

EEO Statement

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