Geotechnical Engineer - Hydropower

About the role

HDR is growing our Hydropower team across the Southeast and we're looking for engineers at all experience levels who want to make a lasting impact. Whether you're an experienced hydropower professional or an engineer looking to apply your skills in a new industry, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside HDR's nationally recognized Hydropower Practice, ranked #2 in Hydro Plants by Engineering News-Record in 2026. Across the U.S., hydropower facilities that have powered communities for generations are becoming increasingly critical to grid reliability and the region's energy future. Join an employee-owned firm where you'll help modernize and sustain this vital infrastructure, develop leadership skills, accelerate your career growth, and contribute to meaningful projects that keep the lights on and strengthen communities.

Responsibilities

• Drive project workflows and planning
• Conduct geotechnical field investigations and laboratory testing programs
• Prepare geotechnical analysis, design calculations and reports
• Review and evaluate dam safety instrumentation data
• Perform finite element modeling of dams
• Prepare design drawings and construction specifications
• Participate in dam safety inspections
• Participate in marketing efforts for internal and external clients
• Serve as Project Manager for mid-size initiatives
• Support other tasks as required to support project goals and other HDR business activities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Geotechnical or Geological Engineering (M.S. preferred)
• Professional Engineering license (PE or P.Eng) recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered
• 5 years of related experience in geotechnical engineering
• Experience using AutoCAD, MicroStation or GIS applications
• Experience using other industry standard geotechnical and geological engineering software
• Experience planning, performing, and documenting subsurface explorations
• Experience reviewing and interpreting field and laboratory testing results
• Experience reading, reviewing, and interpreting geotechnical instrumentation
• Experience with dam safety inspections and dam engineering
• Experience with GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage and deep foundation response software
• Experience with Bentley suite of geotechnical data management and visualization software (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog)
• Ability to work independently on smaller projects and on larger projects as part of a multi-discipline project team
• Ability to handle multiple simultaneous tasks effectively
• Receptive to technical mentoring and passionate about meeting new, complex challenges
• Good problem solving and reasoning skills
• Strong technical writing and verbal communication skills
• Ability to perform field work and overnight travel (some required), local candidates preferred
• Attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

This position is subject to a pre-employment drug test.