System Operations Modeling Team Lead

Position Overview

HDR is recruiting a water resources engineer to serve as System Operations Modeling Team Lead within the Hydrology and System Operations Section in Sacramento, CA. The role focuses on leading project delivery, mentoring staff, and providing advanced technical support on water resource models, reservoir operations, hydrology, and climate‑change analysis.

• Assist in the responsibility for operations of the section team, including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support.
• Assist in the selection, training, development and management of technical personnel in the section team.
• Provide advanced technical support and task leadership on water resources projects related to:
  • Water supply and reservoir operations modeling
  • Hydrology development and analysis
  • Reservoir simulation, optimization, re‑operation, and decision support
  • Hydrologic and climate change modeling, including ensemble and statistical analyses
  • Flood risk management, FERC relicensing, and ecological enhancement projects
• Contribute to and, where appropriate, lead technical tasks within multi‑disciplinary project teams.
• Support project management activities for small‑to‑medium‑sized projects, including scope, schedule, and budget tracking.
• Mentor junior staff and support knowledge transfer, technical review, and staff development.
• Participate in client coordination, including technical meetings, work sessions, and preparation of client‑facing deliverables.
• Apply strong QA/QC practices, ensuring clear documentation, reproducible analyses, and high‑quality deliverables.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of HDR’s technical tools, workflows, and best practices.
• 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.

• Graduate degree
• Experience with water supply operations modeling such as Cal Sim and Cal Lite.
• Experience with climate change analytical tools and datasets.
• Linear programming, optimization, and decision‑support modeling.
• Scripting and automation using Python/Jython, WRESL, VBA, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with NEPA and ESA processes, including supporting environmental compliance, biological assessments, effects analyses, and coordination with environmental and regulatory teams.

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 7 years of experience.
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on the role.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Good leadership and organizational skills.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

HDR offers a comprehensive benefits package for full‑time regular positions, including 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. The expected compensation range for this position is $ – $198,732 annually, depending on skills, experience, education and geographic location.

Primary

Location:

United States, California, Sacramento
Industry: Water

Schedule:

Full‑time
Employee Status:
Regular

HDR is committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.