Water Resources Engineer

HDR; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is a global engineering firm and our Water Business Group plays a pivotal role in shaping infrastructure that safeguards communities and the environment. The role sits in the United States, Des Moines, within HDR's Water team, contributing to projects that ensure safe drinking water and resilient flood control.

As a Water Resources Engineer, you will lead modeling and design for detention facilities and drainage systems, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, and support permitting

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 3+ years of water resources engineering experience.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Must demonstrate commitment to employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Provide project engineering and task management for hydraulic and hydrologic modeling.
• Lead design calculations and reports for detention facilities, flood control facilities, and related hydraulic structures.
• Plan, organize and lead medium to large teams of professionals and technicians.
• Conduct water resources planning, plan formulation and documentation.
• Assist in water resources permitting efforts.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

HEC-HMS

HEC-RAS

SRH-2D

SWMM

InfoWorks

Job description

About the Role

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 foster a culture of inclusion throughout our 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 water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you’re modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

Responsibilities

• Provide project engineering and task management, conduct difficult to complex hydraulic and hydrologic modeling; conduct stormwater collection systems modeling and design; collect, assimilate and present data in reports, memos and public forums; lead production of design calculations and technical reports; and lead preparation of engineering plans and specifications for design of detention facilities, storm drains, flood control facilities and other hydraulic structures.
• Work independently in addition to planning, organizing and assisting groups of medium to large teams of professionals and technicians dependent on project/task.
• Conduct water resources planning, plan formulation and concept development, and develop planning documentation.
• Assist in water resources permitting efforts.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• MS degree.
• A minimum of 3 years experience in water resources engineering projects.
• Familiarity with H&H design software including HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, SRH-2D, SWMM, InfoWorks or other channel/conduit hydraulic analysis software.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent field.
• Previous experience in water resources engineering projects.
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• 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.

Job Details

Primary Location: United States-Iowa-Des Moines

Industry: Water

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Dams Levees Civil Works

Job Posting: Jul 17, 2026

Equal Employment Opportunity

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.