System Operations Modeling Team Lead

About the role

This isn't just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy. HDR is looking for a water resources engineer to join as a team leader within our Hydrology and System Operations Section team in Sacramento, CA and assist in staff development and project delivery.

Responsibilities

• Assist in the responsibility for operations of section team including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support
• Assist in the selection, training, development and management of technical personnel in the section team
• Provide advanced technical support and task leadership on water resources projects related to:
• Water supply and reservoir operations modeling
• Hydrology development and analysis
• Reservoir simulation, optimization, re-operation, and decision support
• Hydrologic and climate change modeling, including ensemble and statistical analyses
• Flood risk management, FERC relicensing, and ecological enhancement projects
• Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead technical tasks within multi-disciplinary project teams
• Support project management activities for small- to medium-sized projects, including scope, schedule, and budget tracking
• Mentor junior staff and support knowledge transfer, technical review, and staff development
• Participate in client coordination, including technical meetings, work sessions, and preparation of client-facing deliverables
• Apply strong QA/QC practices, ensuring clear documentation, reproducible analyses, and high-quality deliverables
• Contribute to the development and improvement of HDR’s technical tools, workflows, and best practices
• Provide project engineering and task management, conduct difficult to complex hydraulic and hydrologic modeling; conduct stormwater collection systems modeling and design; collect, assimilate and present data in reports, memos and public forums; lead production of design calculations and technical reports; and lead preparation of engineering plans and specifications for design of detention facilities, storm drains, flood control facilities and other hydraulic structures
• Work independently in addition to planning, organizing and assisting groups of medium to large teams of professionals and technicians dependent on project/task
• Conduct water resources planning, plan formulation and concept development, and develop planning documentation
• Perform water resources permitting efforts

Requirements

• Graduate degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 7 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills

Qualifications

• Strong writing skills and good quality control/quality assurance processes
• Experience with water supply operations modeling such as CalSim and CalLite
• Experience with climate change analytical tools and datasets
• Linear programming, optimization, and decision-support modeling
• Scripting and automation using Python/Jython, WRESL, VBA, or similar tools
• Familiarity with NEPA and ESA processes, including supporting environmental compliance, biological assessments, effects analyses, and coordination with environmental and regulatory teams

Skills

• Scripting (such as WRESL, Python/Jython, or VBA)
• Experience with CalSim II and CalSim 3, CalLite, VIC, HEC software (such as HEC-SSP, HEC-HMS, HEC-ResSim and both HEC-RAS 1D and 2D)
• Water temperature modeling (HEC 5Q, CE QUAL W2)
• Climate change analytical tools and datasets (such as Global Circulation Models and downscaling methods)

Benefits

Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $120,967.00 - $198,732 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Pay

The expected compensation range for this position is $120,967.00 - $198,732 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Schedule

Full-time

Business Class

Water Supply Management

Job Posting

Jun 29, 2026

Company Beliefs

We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records. What We Believe HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve. Our Commitment As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees. We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.