Mechanical Engineer - Hydropower

Mechanical Engineer - Hydropower

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? We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you'll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century.

You'll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

HDR is growing our Hydropower team across the Southeast and we're looking for engineers at all experience levels who want to make a lasting impact. Whether you're an experienced hydropower professional or an engineer looking to apply your skills in a new industry, you'll have the opportunity to work alongside HDR's nationally recognized Hydropower Practice, ranked #2 in Hydro Plants by Engineering News-Record in 2026.

Across the U.S., hydropower facilities that have powered communities for generations are becoming increasingly critical to grid reliability and the region's energy future. Join an employee-owned firm where you'll help modernize and sustain this vital infrastructure, develop leadership skills, accelerate your career growth, and contribute to meaningful projects that keep the lights on and strengthen communities.

We are looking for a Mechanical Engineer to join our Hydropower team. This team provides engineering consulting services to electric utilities and independent power producers located across the U.S. This individual will be expected to lead and support a variety of projects involving mechanical balance of plant upgrades at existing hydropower facilities, major mechanical equipment upgrades at existing hydropower facilities, and feasibility studies for new pumped storage hydropower projects.

They will work with a multi-discipline group of engineers and technicians providing engineering and design services to power sector clients. Typical projects involve life extension and system upgrades of existing hydropower facilities as well as design of new facilities.

On a day-to-day basis, they'll also be expected to:

• Produce mechanical system designs including P&IDs, equipment sizing, detailed system layouts, and system calculations.
• Prepare equipment and design specifications.
• Perform equipment and contractor bid evaluations.
• Perform site inspections which may require confined space entry.
• Provide field support during installation, testing, and start-up.
• Perform feasibility studies and conceptual design evaluations.
• Support pumped storage concept studies, pre-feasibility and feasibility studies.
• Prepare project cost estimates.
• Assist with client presentations and preparation of client proposals.
• Coordinate the work of Mechanical Engineers with the balance of a multi-discipline team throughout the project's development.
• Establish effective client relationships and participate in marketing, design and production meetings with regard to mechanical systems.
• Serve as the mechanical lead on multiple simultaneous projects.
• Conduct schematic, design development and contract document work sessions at project sites in conjunction with the Project Manager, and other discipline engineers.
• Coordinate workload through the entire project's development to complete documents on schedule.
• Track the financial aspects of projects, and coordinate and adjust work efforts with the project team to ensure that the work is completed within the parameters of the agreed-upon budget and schedule.
• Participate with the Project Manager, Regional Controller and Regional Director in…