Bridge Hydraulics Specialist, COWI in North America

Bridge Hydraulics Specialist, for COWI in North America

Seattle, WA, New York, NY, Oakland, CA, Portland, OR, Tallahassee, FL, San Diego, CA, Los Angeles, CA

Create the solutions that will enable a better tomorrow.

To add depth to our pre‑eminent Coastal Engineering Practice, we are looking for a Bridge Hydraulics Specialist to join our team. You will work closely with a team of experts and report to the Head of Discipline. Location can be in one of the following COWI offices:
New York, San Diego, Los Angeles, Oakland, Portland, Seattle, Tallahassee.

• Grow the bridge hydraulics practice within COWI
• Lead hydraulic and hydrologic modelling (HEC-RAS 1D/2D, HEC-HMS, SRH-2D) for bridge and waterway projects
• Develop design recommendations for waterway openings, scour countermeasures, culverts, and drainage systems
• Prepare and review technical deliverables—hydraulic reports, scour calculations, modelling files, and permitting documentation
• Coordinate closely with structural, roadway, and geotechnical teams to integrate hydraulic requirements into design
• Manage permitting tasks (USACE, FEMA CLOMR/LOMR, state environmental agencies) and respond to reviewer comments
• Conduct field inspections to assess scour, channel stability, debris, and hydraulics-related risks
• Mentor junior engineers, conduct QA/QC reviews, and support proposals and client meetings as technical lead

On top of that, you will have:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s in Civil Engineering; PE licensure
• Gaining PE licensure in the State of Ohio required or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe
• 10+ years’ experience in bridge hydraulics/H&H design for state DOT or transportation projects and documented experience signing and sealing bridge hydraulic reports and bridge hydraulics plan sheets
• Advanced proficiency with HEC-RAS (1D/2D), HEC-HMS, HY-8, and other standard hydraulic modelling tools
• Strong knowledge of AASHTO LRFD, FHWA HEC manuals (HEC-18, 20, 23), and state DOT hydraulics guidelines
• Proven experience performing scour analyses, floodplain studies, and complex waterway evaluations
• Demonstrated ability to prepare high‑quality hydraulic reports and present technical content to clients and agencies
• Experience with federal/state permitting processes (e.g., USACE 404/401, FEMA floodplain submissions)

Being part of the COWI community offers more than just a competitive salary. We take care of our people both professionally and personally.

Some of our benefits include:

• Flexible working arrangement
• Top‑up parental and childbirth recovery leave
• Fantastic close‑knit team with a wealth of knowledge to share
• Full‑time hires get minimum 3 weeks vacation to start
• Floating holiday to celebrate employee diversity
• Paid sick leave
• Annual fitness subsidy
• 401K contribution matching with generous company match
• Personal and professional development fund
• Parking or public transit allowance
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance 80% employer‑paid premiums
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
• Referral incentive program
• Frequent social events

Get to know us even better at our website, , where you can learn more about our projects, our strategy, what we want to achieve and what life is like at COWI.

COWI provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, COWI complies with applicable state and local laws governing non‑discrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training information.