U.S. Hydropower Growth Leader

Position Summary

We're looking for an experienced U.S. Hydropower Growth Leader with a keen knowledge of markets, trends and clients to lead and grow the U.S. hydropower and dam sector, with emphasis on FERC licensing, facility modernization, and early-phase hydropower development. This leader will be a client-facing, senior technical and market leader who leverages deep industry knowledge, regulatory expertise, and national client relationships to expand Tetra Tech’s hydropower practice while strengthening integration with our established dam and reservoir program. Key attributes of this leader include:

Essential Job Functions

• Lead client engagement and serve as primary relationship manager for key hydropower and dam clients, converting industry relationships into repeat work and new awards across conventional hydropower and pumped storage markets.
• Drive opportunities, shape pursuit strategies based on trends and funding mechanisms, define technical approaches, assemble best-in-firm teams, and represent Tetra Tech’s technical credibility with developers, utilities, and public owners.
• Provide program level leadership for feasibility studies, site screening, FERC licensing support, conceptual design, permitting, and early development services for hydropower and pumped storage projects.
• Serve as senior technical reviewer and advisor on hydropower and dam projects, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and client expectations.
• Cook up and integrate multidisciplinary delivery teams across geographies and business lines, including dams, geotechnical, environmental, water quality, transmission, and fish passage.
• Serve as Program Manager or Technical Lead on select major projects, with responsibility for scope, budget, schedule, and technical risk.
• Support relationships with key clients of interest, including Public Utility Districts (PUDs) throughout the Northwest, the Tennessee Valley Authority; and clients with pumped storage hydropower (PSH) opportunities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s preferred) in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field.
• A minimum of 20+ years of experience in hydropower and/or dam engineering, including significant leadership responsibility in technical delivery, client development, or program management roles.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
• Demonstrated expertise in FERC licensing, hydropower permitting, and coordination with environmental review processes.
• Proven capability leading early phase hydropower development, including feasibility studies, site screening, conceptual design, cost estimating, and licensing support.
• Strong record of building and sustaining client relationships with utilities, public utility districts, power authorities, and public agencies.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-disciplinary, multi-office teams and delivering complex infrastructure projects profitably.
• Knowledge of hydropower facility systems (e.g., turbines, gates, balance of plant, powerhouses) sufficient to guide integrated engineering teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the firm at executive, regulatory, and industry association levels.