Senior Structural Engineer (Hydraulic Structure Design)

HDR; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 205,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Retirement savings plan with employer

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Parental leave

Paid holidays

Employee referral bonus

Job summary

HDR is seeking an experienced Structural Engineer for hydraulic structures projects across California, including dams, levees and water conveyance works. The role requires a PE license, 10+ years of building-design experience, and proficiency with AutoCAD, RAM, ETABS and SAFE.

You will lead design, coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams, and mentor junior staff. Join HDR’s employee-owned culture and help deliver public infrastructure projects, with competitive compensation and a comprehensive

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• A minimum of 10 years structural engineering experience as it relates to building design.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, RAM, ETABS, SAFE or similar analytical software.
• Experience in design calculations and layouts.
• Ability to design and detail in steel, concrete, masonry and wood.
• Requires understanding of gravity analysis and lateral analysis.
• Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.

Responsibilities

• Conduct structural analyses, evaluations and designs; develop design options or recommendations.
• Preparation of contract documents including drawings, specifications, design documentation and criteria, and cost estimates including critical reports.
• Lead design of various new and/or rehabilitation of hydraulic structures, including dams, spillways, gates, outlet works, diversion structures, retaining walls, cofferdams, floodwalls, water conveyance structures, foundations.
• Perform engineering assignments that may require critical thinking and creativity to address unique structural elements that have limited or no specific code based guidance.
• Coordinate structural design with multi-disciplinary teams.
• Work independently as project engineer and provide oversight and mentorship of project and junior staff if required. This role may include leadership and expansion of HDR’s structural engineering services including client and strategic project development with Federal and State government agencies, water agencies and utilities, and power utilities.
• Review tasks undertaken by others in the group such that each design receives a complete check of design assumptions, calculations, criteria, load cases, code review and compliance with design standards.
• Perform inspections and structural assessments of existing structures and structures.

Skills

Design calculations

Gravity analysis

Lateral analysis

Steel design

Concrete design

Masonry design

Wood design

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering (preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

RAM

ETABS

SAFE

Job description

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 every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe that the way we work can add meaning and value to the world. That ideas inspire positive change. That coloring outside the lines can illuminate fresh perspectives. And that small details yield important realizations. Above all, we believe that collaboration is the best way forward.

Are you looking for an opportunity with an industry-leading company? Do you thrive in a work environment with collaborative colleagues who do amazing work for clients who trust them to push open the doors to what’s possible? That’s what you’ll find at HDR!

We're an employee-owned company with more than 100-years of making great things possible, together with our clients. Sure, we have hundreds of industry awards to prove it, but our pride is in our people. Smart, hardworking team members who take their employee ownership seriously and will have your back at every turn. Their expertise will inspire you to be your best and develop new and better solutions.

We invite you to build your Water career at HDR. Our global team is looking for success-oriented Hydraulic Structures Engineers to work in a number of locations on a wide variety of projects in the Dams, Levees, and Civil Works world.

If you want to work for a company like HDR and you’re motivated to deliver quality project work on-time and on-budget for major clients, we want you on our team.

The primary duties of the role are to:

• Conduct structural analyses, evaluations and designs; develop design options or recommendations
• Preparation of contract documents including drawings, specifications, design documentation and criteria, and cost estimates including critical reports.
• Lead design of various new and/or rehabilitation of hydraulic structures, including dams, spillways, gates, outlet works, diversion structures, retaining walls, cofferdams, floodwalls, water conveyance structures, foundations
• Perform engineering assignments that may require critical thinking and creativity to address unique structural elements that have limited or no specific code based guidance
• Coordinate structural design with multi-disciplinary teams
• Work independently as project engineer and provide oversight and mentorship of project and junior staff if required. This role may include leadership and expansion of HDR’s structural engineering services including client and strategic project development with Federal and State government agencies, water agencies and utilities, and power utilities
• Review tasks undertaken by others in the group such that each design receives a complete check of design assumptions, calculations, criteria, load cases, code review and compliance with design standards
• Perform inspections and structural assessments of existing structures and structures

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, Structural emphasis preferred
• Strong background in finite element modeling and knowledge of computer-based design tools (such as CAD, SAP2000, LPILE, or equivalent). Use of commercially available programs that can be used for advanced analysis such as dynamic response spectrum or seismic time history analysis

Keywords: Dams, Levee, Culvert, Floodgate, Civil, Structural, Structures, Design, Engineering, Construction, Hydraulic, Flood Protection, Water Resources

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering
• A minimum of 10 years structural engineering experience as it relates to building design
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, RAM, ETABS, SAFE or similar analytical software
• Experience in design calculations and layouts
• Ability to design and detail in steel, concrete, masonry and wood
• Requires understanding of gravity analysis and lateral analysis
• Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Greater Sacramento Area}: $125,972 - $179,960 {Walnut Creek Area}: $143,150 - $204,500

Primary Location: United States-California-Folsom Other Locations: United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-California-Irvine, United States-California-Sacramento Industry: Water Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Dams Levees Civil Works Job Posting: Aug 25, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-option-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.