Hydrologic & Hydraulic (H&H) Engineer

About Zephyr Rail
Zephyr Rail is an engineering design and construction management firm based in Orange, CA. We specialize in providing comprehensive solutions in railroad design, construction management, and UAV solutions. We are proud to have earned Zweig Group’s recognition as a "Best Firms to Work For" for four consecutive years, demonstrating our commitment to our team and our industry.
 
Job Summary
As a Hydrologic and Hydraulic (H&H) Engineer, you will be key to our design team, leading drainage design, water resources engineering, and hydraulic modeling for complex rail projects, especially for Class I railroads, commuter rail, and transit authorities. You'll create engineering solutions, prepare technical reports, support permitting, and collaborate across teams. Your duties include technical analyses, developing drainage solutions, producing detailed reports, designing stormwater systems, and ensuring project compliance with regulations.
 
Responsibilities

• Perform hydrologic and hydraulic analyses using tools such as HEC-RAS (1D/2D), HEC-HMS, HY-8, and CivilStorm.
• Design stormwater systems, culverts, channel improvements, and erosion control measures for rail infrastructure.
• Conduct floodplain assessments and support FEMA submittals and USACE Section 404 permit applications.
• Prepare drainage reports, technical memoranda, and plan sets in coordination with project teams.
• Support QA/QC efforts and mentor junior staff as needed.
• Interface with clients, Class I railroads, public agencies, and municipalities.

 
Representative Projects at Zephyr Rail

• Hydraulic modeling and culvert design supporting LA Metro, Metrolink (SCRRA), CSX, UPRR, and BNSF corridor improvements.
• Floodplain mitigation for new rail bridge construction in FEMA-regulated areas.
• Stormwater management design for rail siding extensions, yard capacity improvements, and Quiet Zone projects.
• Drainage and hydraulic analysis for at-grade crossing upgrades.
• Emergency drainage assessments related to failed culverts, scour concerns, and storm damage.

 
Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in civil or environmental engineering (or a related field).
• A minimum of 5 years of H&H experience, with at least 7 years in Class I railroads (such as UPRR, BNSF, NS, and CSX), commuter rail, or light rail transit projects.
• A California Engineer-in-Training (EIT) is mandatory, and having a California Professional Engineer (P.E.) license is highly preferred.
• Proficiency with H&H modeling tools and familiarity with MicroStation and/or AutoCAD.
• Working knowledge of railroad drainage standards, FEMA guidelines, and relevant permitting processes.
• Authorized to work in the U.S.

Compensation and Benefits

• Base Salary - $140, 000 - $200,000 DOE.
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance - 100% employer-paid for employees; 50% for dependents.
• Retirement - 401K with employer match
• Paid Vacation
• Paid Holidays
• Paid Sick Time

  How to Apply
We're excited to hear from you! Feel free to apply directly on our careers page or learn more about the opportunities at If you don't find exactly what you're looking for, don't hesitate to send your resume to View email address on zephyrrail.applytojob.com. We would be pleased to consider you as a potential new member of our passionate team!
 
At Zephyr Rail, we're an equal opportunity employer dedicated to fostering diversity and inclusion.
 
Note to Recruiters and Job Placement Agencies
We do not accept unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles from recruiters or agencies. We will consider any unsolicited resumes we receive as our property and will process them accordingly. We will only consider direct applicants.

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