Water Resources Engineer

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you'll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people's lives. 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 our Water Resources team in Sacramento, CA. Candidates for the position should have experience in hydrologic & hydraulic (H&H) modeling and analysis, flood risk analysis, drainage design, dam safety, and H&H in support of civil design. Our clients include local, state, and federal agencies.

Our team is growing and has a range of challenging and innovative projects. We work within multi-disciplinary teams on projects related to water resources planning, flood hazard and consequence analysis, H&H modeling, and H&H in support of civil design. Project types will include dam safety analysis, flood risk analysis for planning and asset management, FERC relicensing, water supply, flood management, and environmental mitigation support for flood management projects. The preferred candidate would have experience in a combination of these subject areas.

Skills such as scripting (Python or VBA) and experience using HEC-RAS 1D/2D, HEC-HMS, HEC-ResSim, consequence modeling (LifeSim & HEC-FDA), linear programming and optimization would be considered beneficial.

The candidate is expected to be a key part of project delivery teams; mentor junior staff; manage small- to medium-sized projects; and effectively interact with clients and peers. Candidates should be able to work independently but also enjoy working in a collaborative team environment. The candidate must have strong writing skills and good quality control/quality assurance processes.

In the role of Water Resources Engineer, we'll count on you to:

• 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

• Assist in water resources permitting efforts

• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• 5 or more years of experience

• MS degree

• Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs

• Leadership skills and ability to work in a team environment

• Experience with water infrastructure planning studies, extreme hydrology, and/or consequence analysis

• Experience in H&H Modeling (HEC-RAS & HEC-HMS)

• Experience with data management analytical tools and datasets

• Experience with GIS and Geospatial modeling

• Experience with risk-based planning and risk-informed decision making

• Familiarity with integration of resiliency into the planning process

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Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or equivalent field
• Previous experience in water resources engineering projects
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

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. Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $84,469.00 - $137,125.00 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. Primary Location: United States-California-Sacramento Other Locations: United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-California-Folsom Industry: Water Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Dams Levees Civil Works Job Posting: Apr 8, 2026