Water Resources Engineer - Dam & Hydropower Design

Placements24; Mtubatuba Local Municipality; Hybrid; ZAR 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Bonus opportunities

Medical aid

Life insurance

Retirement plan

Generous leave

Relocation support

Career development

Job summary

Placements24 in South Africa invites a senior Water Resources Engineer to join an international engineering team in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal. You will guide design, development, and management of major water infrastructure projects, with emphasis on dams, reservoirs, and hydropower facilities.

You will lead hydrology and hydraulics analyses, supervise staff, prepare specifications, and collaborate with clients and regulators across project lifecycles.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Water Resources or Hydraulic Engineering.
• Pr. Eng. registration with ECSA required.
• At least 9 years of experience in water resources, with emphasis on dam/hydropower design.
• Experience with hydrological modeling software (HEC-RAS, Mike FLOOD) and dam design tools.
• Knowledge of dam safety regulations and international best practices.
• Experience in environmental impact assessment and water management planning.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Willingness to travel to project sites across Richards Bay and KwaZulu-Natal.

Responsibilities

• Conduct hydrological and hydraulic analyses for water resource projects.
• Design and evaluate dams (earth fill, concrete), spillways, diversion structures, and appurtenant works.
• Develop designs for hydropower schemes, including turbines, generators, and powerhouses.
• Perform dam safety assessments and develop risk management plans.
• Contribute to environmental impact assessments and mitigation strategies for water projects.
• Prepare technical specifications, tender documents, and project reports.
• Provide technical guidance and supervision to junior engineers and technical staff.
• Collaborate with clients, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders throughout project lifecycles.
• Manage project components related to water resources engineering, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and schedule.
• Stay current with advancements in water resources engineering technologies and best practices.

Skills

Communication skills

Team leadership

HEC-RAS

Mike FLOOD

Education

MSc in Civil Engineering (Water Resources/Hydraulic)

Pr. Eng. (ECSA)

Tools

HEC-RAS

Mike FLOOD

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a leading international engineering firm with a significant presence in Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal , is seeking an experienced Water Resources Engineer to join their specialist team. This role is critical for the design, development, and management of major water infrastructure projects, with a particular focus on dams, reservoirs, and hydropower facilities. The successful candidate will be involved in all phases of the project lifecycle, from feasibility studies and conceptual design to detailed engineering, construction support, and operational oversight. We are looking for an individual with deep technical expertise in hydrology, hydraulics, dam safety, and water management. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to essential water security and renewable energy initiatives in South Africa and beyond. The role requires excellent analytical skills, a strong understanding of environmental considerations, and the ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary team. Our client is dedicated to sustainable development and innovative engineering solutions, making this a rewarding career move for a passionate professional. The position involves both office-based work and site visits to project locations.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct hydrological and hydraulic analyses for water resource projects.
• Design and evaluate dams (earth fill, concrete), spillways, diversion structures, and appurtenant works.
• Develop designs for hydropower schemes, including turbines, generators, and powerhouses.
• Perform dam safety assessments and develop risk management plans.
• Contribute to environmental impact assessments and mitigation strategies for water projects.
• Prepare technical specifications, tender documents, and project reports.
• Provide technical guidance and supervision to junior engineers and technical staff.
• Collaborate with clients, regulatory bodies, and other stakeholders throughout project lifecycles.
• Manage project components related to water resources engineering, ensuring adherence to scope, budget, and schedule.
• Stay current with advancements in water resources engineering technologies and best practices.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Civil Engineering with a specialization in Water Resources or Hydraulic Engineering.
• Professional registration with ECSA (Pr. Eng.) is essential.
• Minimum of 9 years of experience in water resources engineering, with a strong focus on dam and/or hydropower design.
• Proven experience with hydrological modeling software (e.g., HEC-RAS, Mike FLOOD) and dam design software.
• In-depth knowledge of dam safety regulations and international best practices.
• Experience in environmental impact assessment and water management planning.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to lead technical teams and manage project components effectively.
• Willingness to travel to project sites across Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal and other locations.

Benefits

• Highly competitive salary and performance-based bonus opportunities.
• Comprehensive medical aid, life insurance, and retirement annuity contributions.
• Generous leave policy and professional development budget.
• Opportunity to work on impactful national and international water projects based out of Richards Bay, KwaZulu-Natal .
• Relocation assistance if required.
• A collaborative and forward-thinking work environment.