Senior Hydrology & Hydraulic Modeling Lead

About the role

RIZZO International, Inc. is seeking a highly experienced Senior Hydrology & Hydraulic Modeling Lead to provide technical leadership and oversight in integrated hydrology, hydraulics, and advanced numerical modeling for complex water-related infrastructure projects. This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with extensive experience in dam engineering, hydropower development, nuclear cooling water systems, tailings dams, flood control infrastructure, and large-scale drainage systems. The selected candidate will serve as a technical authority responsible for high-level modeling strategy, design oversight, regulatory support, and mentorship of junior engineers across domestic and international projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for dams, hydropower facilities, nuclear power plants, tailings dams, levees, flood control systems, and major drainage infrastructure
• Provide technical supervision and quality control for 1D/2D hydraulic and hydrologic models
• Perform and oversee:
  • Flood frequency and PMP/PMF studies
  • Water availability and water balance analyses
  • Dam break and inundation mapping studies
  • Embankment erosion and sediment transport modeling
  • Scour analyses and river morphodynamic assessments
  • Cooling water intake/discharge hydraulic and thermal studies
• Develop, review, and validate advanced numerical models using: HEC-RAS (1D/2D), HEC-HMS, FLOW-3D, OpenFOAM, RiverFlow2D, FLO-2D, ANSYS
• Support reservoir operations modeling and climate change impact assessments
• Provide input on project planning, budgets, scheduling, and modeling strategies
• Prepare technical scopes of work, proposals, reports, and client presentations
• Attend and lead domestic and international client and regulatory meetings
• Mentor and supervise junior and intermediate engineers
• Support interdisciplinary coordination across geotechnical, structural, and environmental teams

Requirements

• B.S. in Civil, Hydraulic, or Water Resources Engineering (M.S. or Ph.D. preferred)
• 15+ years of progressive experience in hydrology and hydraulic modeling
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or ability to obtain licensure
• Demonstrated leadership and technical oversight on complex water infrastructure projects
• Extensive numerical modeling experience in surface water hydrology and hydraulics
• Strong foundation in: fluid mechanics, surface water hydrology, hydraulic structures design, statistics and flood frequency analysis, sediment transport and river hydraulics
• Experience with GIS and CADD software
• International project experience preferred
• Coastal modeling experience considered an asset

Preferred Experience

• Hydropower development and rehabilitation
• Dam safety reviews and regulatory support
• Nuclear power plant cooling water systems
• Tailings dam hydrology and dam breach assessments
• Climate resilience and extreme event modeling
• Design-build infrastructure delivery

Pay

$120,000 – $150,000 per year (commensurate with experience)

Benefits

• 401(k)
• Accident/Wellness insurance
• Dental insurance
• Dependent care spending account
• Flexible spending account
• Health insurance
• Company-paid life, AD&D, and short/long term disability
• Paid time off (vacation, paid sick leave, holidays)
• Professional development opportunities
• Employee referral program
• Relocation assistance (as applicable)
• Vision insurance

Schedule

• Full-time
• Optional work from home Fridays
• Twelve (12) annual work from home days