Hydraulic Structures Project Manager

HDR•Denver, CO

About The Position

HDR is seeking a Hydraulic Structures Project Manager/Engineer for its Dams, Levees, & Civil Works practice within the Water Business Group. The position combines project management leadership with technical engineering, leading complex water infrastructure projects while providing technical direction for structural evaluations, new construction and rehabilitation designs, construction support, and dam safety initiatives. The role manages concurrent dam, hydraulic structures, and water infrastructure projects and leads multidisciplinary teams through work ranging from studies to final design and construction. Typical assignments include dam rehabilitations, spillway improvements, outlet works modifications, diversion structures, intake facilities, canals, and other critical hydraulic infrastructure. The successful candidate will balance client management, project delivery, multidisciplinary coordination, business development, and hands-on engineering oversight. The position also serves as a technical lead for structural engineering evaluations and designs, including preparation and oversight of engineering calculations, technical memoranda, feasibility studies, Basis of Design Reports, specifications, and construction drawings. Responsibilities include managing inspections and condition assessments, developing recommendations for repairs and risk mitigation, and supporting Engineering During Construction. The role works with clients, contractors, owners, regulatory agencies, and construction personnel. HDR describes itself as an employee-owned company and emphasizes inclusion, collaboration, and employee participation.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
Seven years of related experience, including a minimum of two years of project management experience.
Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered, such as PE or P.Eng.
Experience with MS Office and MS Project.
Demonstrated leadership skills.
Commitment to active participation in HDR's employee-owned culture.

Nice To Haves

Master's degree in Structural Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, or a related field.
Experience leading dam rehabilitation, outlet works rehabilitation, spillway rehabilitation, or diversion structure projects.
Experience with dams, water conveyances, or other constructed project works and infrastructure regulated by FERC, USACE, or other federal or state agencies.
Experience conducting dam inspections and condition assessments.
Experience with risk-informed dam safety evaluations.
Experience managing annual project portfolios exceeding $1 million in active work.
Background in heavy civil construction, construction management, or contractor operations.
Experience with constructability reviews, means and methods evaluations, cost estimating, and bid support.
Demonstrated business development and client account management experience.
Experience managing concurrent multidisciplinary engineering projects involving scope, schedule, budget, staffing, and client coordination.
Experience as project manager, deputy project manager, task manager, or technical lead on dam, hydraulic structures, or water infrastructure projects.
Demonstrated experience developing engineering calculations, technical reports, construction drawings, and specifications.
Experience supporting Engineering During Construction and providing construction-phase engineering services.
Knowledge of dam safety practice, structural analysis, rehabilitation design, and construction engineering principles.
Experience coordinating with regulatory agencies and stakeholders.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Experience developing project scopes, fee estimates, schedules, and work plans.
Proven ability to build and maintain client relationships.

Responsibilities

Manage multiple concurrent small- to medium-sized dam, hydraulic structures, and water infrastructure projects, while developing the leadership and experience to execute larger projects and programs.
Manage projects governed by agencies and organizations such as FERC, USBR, USACE, state dam safety agencies, and other regulatory authorities.
Lead multidisciplinary teams of structural, geotechnical, hydraulic, civil, risk, environmental, and construction support professionals.
Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality, and risk for projects from studies through final design and construction.
Support development of project pursuits, proposals, scopes of work, fee estimates, and client presentations.
Assist with implementing and improving project management processes, project delivery systems, and quality procedures.
Collaborate with practice leadership to identify growth opportunities in dam safety, water resources, and hydraulic structures markets; contribute to business development and client relationship growth.
Lead structural engineering evaluations and designs for dams and hydraulic structures.
Prepare and oversee engineering calculations, technical memoranda, feasibility studies, Basis of Design Reports, specifications, and construction drawings.
Plan and manage inspections and condition assessments of dams, spillways, outlet works, gates, intake towers, retaining walls, stilling basins, valve houses, and related infrastructure.
Participate in field work as needed, evaluate inspection findings, and develop recommendations for repair, rehabilitation, replacement, and risk mitigation.
Support and direct Engineering During Construction services, including RFI responses, submittal reviews, field observations, design clarifications, construction issue resolution, Field Orders, Work Change Directives, and Engineering Change Notices.
Coordinate with contractors, owners, regulatory agencies, and construction personnel to facilitate successful project delivery.