Senior Mechanical Engineer-Hydropower Gates and Locks Specialist

Senior Mechanical Engineer-Hydropower Gates and Locks Specialist

Date:
Jul 8, 2026

Location:

Tualatin, OR, US Rancho Cordova, CA, US

Company:
Black & Veatch Family of Companies

Company:
Black & Veatch Corporation

Opportunity Type:
Staff

Project Only Hire:
No

In this role you will have the opportunity to lead, design, and manage new and upgraded projects on hydropower systems that may include:

• Conceptual studies of mechanical equipment related to hydraulic structures, including condition assessments, hydraulic evaluations, and calculations
• Design of gates for dams or water conveyance projects, including radial (tainter), drum, crest, and roller gates
• Large valves for dam outlets and emergency shutoff of conveyance; in-stream flow (IFR) valves
• Gate hosts and actuation systems with custom-designed gearing
• Sector gates and tow haulage for locks & dams
• Fluid power actuation systems, including oil and oil alternatives
• Penstock and associated piping
• Deicing systems such as bubblers
• Intake screens and trash rakes
• Gantry and jib cranes

The role also involves dam safety inspections related to mechanical equipment and providing input for risk assessment. You may also support hydro turbine unit upgrades and powerhouse balance of plant systems.

Black & Veatch has delivered hydropower solutions worldwide for more than 40 years. We’ve produced results on nearly 500 projects and more than 50,000 megawatts in hydropower design. A track record like that can only be achieved by delivering quality results while meeting budgets and schedules. That formula helps us meet the goal we share with all clients – maximum return on their infrastructure investment.

We’re committed to finding clean, green power alternatives. Our expertise ranges from studies and valuations to optimizing existing operations. We can handle full services for facilities that range from the smallest to the largest in capacity. At the front end, clients rely on us to conduct thorough studies involving overall project management. We provide the full range of design services and construction support, and we ensure that the end product is a model of operating efficiency.

• Continually develop knowledge and may provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. Provide technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
• Prepare specifications and drawings for complex engineering deliverables for challenging projects.
• Capable of performing complex research and analysis leading to recommendations for potential solutions. May oversee collection, assimilation, and evaluation of condition data for engineering work. Independently apply advanced engineering techniques and analysis methods. Apply knowledge of standard methods and industry codes.
• Manage assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Actively delegate appropriate tasks to lower level team members and review their work. Responsible for one or more of the following: leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for a project.
• Identify and communicate key client interests and drivers to project team members and develop approaches. Provide support to business development or pursuit activities.
• Recognized as a technical specialist and has knowledge and skill set to provide consultation and guidance to project teams in a particular practice area.
• May be accountable for some administrative responsibilities that include but aren't limited to:
• Ensuring policies, procedures and processes are effectively implemented and communicated for work group.
• Ensuring adherence to corporate and division programs.
• Comply with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks.

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing
• 25+ years of mechanical or systems engineering experience related to locks, dams or water conveyance facilities
• Experience in finite element analysis (FEA)
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license
• Previous…