Senior Hydrology & Hydraulic Modeling Lead

Position Description: 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

Experience 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

Job Type: Full-time

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

Competitive Compensation Package:

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

 

BACKGROUND

RIZZO International, Inc.  is a woman-owned, highly focused consulting firm specializing in all aspects of civil engineering, earth sciences, and field/testing services for dams, nuclear power plants, and other power-related markets. Our firm has worked around the world on unique, challenging, and technically demanding projects. We take pride in our commitment to providing personal and professional services in a responsive, high quality manner, and continually strive to exceed our clients’ expectations by providing innovative and economically smart solutions. To learn more about our global experience visit us at our website.

EOE M/F/Disability/Veteran 

EEOC Disclaimer: RIZZO International, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer in that our policy, in accordance with Federal and State laws, prohibits employment discrimination solely on the basis of a person’s race, color, creed, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, or disability except where a reasonable, bona fide occupational qualification exists.

 

Candidates need to submit their resume through our website for consideration.

Employment Type: Full Time
Years Experience: 15+ years
Bonus/Commission: No