Mechanical Engineer - Hydropower

Why Black and Veatch

Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity’s biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. We offer competitive compensation; 401K match and benefits that start day 1.

Our hybrid environment allows you to balance your work and personal life. At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use.

The Opportunity

In this role you will have the opportunity to lead, design, and manage new and upgraded projects on hydropower systems that may include:    

• Hydro turbines, including condition assessments, hydraulic evaluations, & FEA calculations   
• Dam and water conveyance, including radial gates and large valves    
• Generator evaluations and cooling systems    
• Raw water and oil systems    
• Fire protection and HVAC systems    
• Turbine and generator bearings    
• Compressed air systems 
• Instrumentation support
• Crane/hoist systems

You may also perform dam safety inspections (lighting, drainage, isolation methods, handrails, doors, alarms, etc.) and design improvements to HVAC systems, spillway gates and hoists, instream flow release, and low-level outlets. You may also support hydro unit disassembly and reassembly operations.

The Team

Black & Veatch has delivered hydropower solutions worldwide for more than 40 years. We’ve produced results on nearly 500 projects and more than 50,000 megawatts in hydropower design. A track record like that can only be achieved by delivering quality results while meeting budgets and schedules. That formula helps us meet the goal we share with all clients – maximum return on their infrastructure investment.  We’re committed to finding clean, green power alternatives. Our expertise ranges from studies and valuations to optimizing existing operations. We can handle full services for facilities that range from the smallest to the largest in capacity. At the front end, clients rely on us to conduct thorough studies involving overall project management. We provide the full range of design services and construction support, and we ensure that the end product is a model of operating efficiency. Check out our projects  HERE !

Key Responsbiltiies

• Continues developing knowledge and may provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. Provides technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
• Independently applies knowledge and complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks.  May be responsible for ensuring compliance with B&V quality program.  Provides related guidance and direction to others. Supports continuous improvement and change management efforts.
• Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects.  Performs complex research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection. May oversee collection, assimilation, and management of data for engineering work.  Prepares complex engineering calculations following standard methods and principles.  Manages assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Independently applies advanced engineering techniques and analysis problems and methods. Actively delegates appropriate tasks to lower level team members to develop depth of project execution staff. Reviews lower level engineering work or assignments. Is responsible for one or more of the following:  leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for a project.
• Actively coordinates with all other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects.
• Responsible for assisting with identification of key client interests and drivers on low to moderately complex projects. Communicates client interests and drivers to project team members and develops approaches to accommodate these concerns in the performance of the work on low to moderately complex projects. Provides support to business development or pursuit activities and may offer other services to clients
• Recognized as a technical specialist and has knowledge and skill set to provide consultation and guidance to project teams in a particular practice area. May design a complete project of moderately complex scope or support multiple projects on the complex technical challenges. Actively fosters knowledge management and provides mentoring. May develop and apply advanced engineering concepts and approaches to unique engineering problems.
• Typically assists with performance management process, mentoring, recognition, and any corrective actions required. May participate in career planning, and learning and development.  Actively mentors lower level professionals and identifies successors to train in the specifics of their role.
• May assist with resource management strategy. May have responsibility of engineering resources for small groups of a single discipline.   May be accountable for some administrative responsibilities that include but aren't limited to:
  • Ensuring policies, procedures and processes are effectively implemented and communicated for work group.
  • Ensuring adherence to corporate and division programs.
  • Approving timesheets and expense reports. 

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of mechanical or systems engineering experience in power generating facilities or related fields 
• Previous experience with managing projects and/or programs in a utility power plant setting   
• Experience in design and operation support of conventional and pumped storage hydroelectric generation stations   
• Previous experience in a client facing role 

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing. Minimum of 5 years related work experience. All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Work Environment and Schedule

• This position would require working in a typical office environment. The position may entail prolonged periods of sitting and computer use, and the professional would ideally be able to maintain focus and attention to detail throughout the workday. The position may also be require physical tasks during site visits, including crouching, grasping, and standing/walking for extended periods of time.
• Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.

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