Water Resources Engineer - Modeler

About the Role

The position involves leading and mentoring staff, managing small‑ to medium‑sized projects, ensuring high‑quality technical work across a diverse portfolio of water‑resources projects for local, state, and federal agencies in California and the western U.S. Your contributions will directly support project execution, staff development, and delivery of high‑quality technical outcomes. • Lead advanced technical work on water‑supply, reservoir operations, and hydrologic/climate‑change modeling. • Perform reservoir simulation, optimization, and decision‑support analyses. • Conduct flood‑risk management, FERC relicensing, and ecological enhancement studies. • Manage small‑ to medium‑sized project scopes, schedules, and budgets. • Mentor junior staff, review technical deliverables, and facilitate knowledge transfer. • Coordinate with clients through technical meetings, work sessions, and deliverable preparation. • Apply rigorous QA/QC processes to ensure reproducible, high‑quality documentation. • Develop and improve HDR technical tools, workflows, and best practices. • Execute complex hydraulic and stormwater modeling, design detention and flood‑control structures, and produce engineering plans and reports. • Lead water‑resources planning, concept development, permitting support, and related documentation.

Key Responsibilities

• ▸hydrologic modeling
• ▸reservoir simulation
• ▸flood management
• ▸hydraulic modeling
• ▸tool development
• ▸project management

What You Bring

This Water Resources Engineer – Modeler role is ideal for an experienced water‑resources professional with a strong technical foundation in reservoir operations, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, watershed hydrology, and climate‑change analysis, who is ready to assume greater project‑delivery, client‑interaction, and technical‑leadership responsibilities. The role offers the chance to lead change, drive progress, and make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. Candidates should be proficient in scripting (e.g., Python/Jython, VBA, WRESL) and familiar with tools such as CalSim II/III, CalLite, VIC, HEC‑SSP, HEC‑HMS, HEC‑ResSim, HEC‑RAS, HEC‑5Q, CE‑QUAL‑W2, as well as climate‑change datasets, linear programming, and optimization. These capabilities enable effective water‑supply operations modeling, climate‑change analysis, and optimization of reservoir systems. HDR values collaboration, independence, strong written communication, and rigorous QA/QC processes, and expects candidates to hold a professional engineering license and embrace the employee‑owned culture. Strong oral and written communication, collaborative teamwork, and a proactive attitude are essential for success. • Five or more years of water‑resources experience; graduate degree preferred. • Experience with water‑infrastructure planning, extreme hydrology, and consequence analysis. • Proficiency in water‑supply operations modeling (CalSim, CalLite) and reservoir/system modeling. • Experience using climate‑change analytical tools and datasets. • Experience with water‑temperature and water‑quality modeling (HEC‑5Q, CE‑QUAL‑W2). • Knowledge of risk‑based planning and decision‑support modeling. • Ability to integrate resiliency into planning processes. • Skills in linear programming, optimization, and decision‑support modeling. • Scripting/automation using Python/Jython, WRESL, VBA, or similar. • Familiarity with NEPA and ESA processes and environmental compliance. • Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field. • Professional engineering license (PE or equivalent) for the work location. • Prior experience on water‑resources engineering projects. • Excellent oral and written communication skills.

Requirements

• ▸python
• ▸calsim
• ▸hec-5q
• ▸pe license
• ▸linear programming
• ▸water‑resources

Benefits

At HDR, employee‑owners foster an inclusive, welcoming environment where every individual is valued, respected, and encouraged to bring their authentic selves and innovative ideas to work each day. This culture drives the company’s impact on the world and its commitment to inclusive growth.

Work Environment

Hybrid