Hydraulics Lead Engineer

VRX, Inc.•Fort Worth, TX

About The Position

The Hydraulics Lead Engineer provides technical leadership for hydrologic and hydraulic (H&H) analysis and design on complex infrastructure projects. This role directs the planning, analysis, and design of stormwater, drainage, culvert, bridge, and detention/ retention basin systems for roadway, highway, channel, stream, and erosion control projects while ensuring compliance with applicable municipal, state, and federal standards. This senior level position leads multidisciplinary design teams, oversee, and approves complex hydraulic modeling and analyses, coordinates with regulatory agencies, and serves as the primary subject-matter expert for drainage and floodplain issues. This role also supports project delivery by managing H&H scope, schedules, and budgets in coordination with overall project objectives. Extensive experience with linear transportation infrastructure projects, TxDOT criteria, and federal guidance (e.g., HEC publications, FEMA requirements, etc.) is required.

Requirements

Education: Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering (or related field); Master's degree preferred.
Licensure: Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in Texas (or ability to obtain reciprocity promptly).
TxDOT Pre-Certifications: 10.1.1 Hydrologic Studies, 10.2.1 Roadway Hydraulic Design, 10.3.1 Bridge Hydraulic Design, 10.5.1 Bridge Scour Evaluation and Analysis
Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in hydrology and hydraulics for roadway/highway projects.
Demonstrated experience on TxDOT projects (district or statewide), including familiarity with TxDOT design standards, manuals, and project delivery processes.
Demonstrated experience on municipal stream, channel, and erosion projects, including familiarity with flood control and mitigation.
Experience leading H&H teams, reviewing designs, and managing permitting for transportation infrastructure.
Skills: Proficiency in hydraulic modeling software (e.g., HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, HY-8, SWMM, PondPack, GIS or equivalents).
Strong working knowledge of TxDOT Hydraulic Design Manual, Roadway Design Manual, and related guidelines.
Excellent communication, leadership, and project management skills.
Ability to work independently and lead multidisciplinary teams.

Nice To Haves

TxDOT Pre-Certifications: 10.4.1 Storm Water Pump Station Hydraulic Design, 10.6.1 Coastal Hydraulic Design, 10.7.1 Riverine Hydraulic Design, & 10.8.1 Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
Experience with bridge hydraulics, stormwater quality/BMPs, or FEMA/NFIP compliance.
Experience in a TxDOT District Hydraulics section or serving as a drainage lead on TxDOT-let projects.
Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM) certification.
Familiarity with AutoCAD Civil 3D, OpenRoads Drainage, and Geopak Drainage.
Knowledge of local/regional drainage criteria in Texas (e.g., North Texas Counties, NCTCOG, or similar entities).

Responsibilities

Lead and manage the preparation, review, and approval of hydrologic and hydraulic reports, designs, and studies for highway projects, including open-channel hydraulics, bridge hydraulics, culvert hydraulics, storm drain systems, pump stations, and stormwater mitigation.
Oversee drainage analysis and design for TxDOT roadway and highway projects, ensuring compliance with TxDOT Hydraulic Design Manual, Hydraulic Design Guidelines, and related standards (e.g., HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, HY-8, GeoHECRAS, or TxDOT-approved software).
Provide technical leadership, mentoring, and training to junior engineers and designers on H&H principles, modeling, and design applications.
Coordinate with TxDOT districts and divisions, consultants, and regulatory agencies (e.g., FEMA, TCEQ, USACE) for permitting, floodplain management, and environmental compliance.
Perform and/or direct complex hydraulic modeling, flood risk assessments, and erosion and sediment control designs.
Review PS&E (Plans, Specifications, and Estimates) submittals, including drainage-related plans, specifications, cost estimates, and contract documents.
Serve as a technical expert in meetings, presentations, and public outreach efforts, representing the organization on H&H related matters.
Manage project schedules, budgets, and multidisciplinary teams to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of H&H components in coordination with overall project objectives.
Stay current with TxDOT updates, federal, state, and municipal regulations, and best practices in highway hydraulics.
Establish and maintain quality control procedures for H&H deliverables.