Senior Operations Specialist; Water

Join to apply for the Senior Operations Specialist (Water) role at HDR.

At HDR, employee-owners create a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. We foster inclusion and ask how our work impacts the world.

HDR’s Water Business Group works to deliver safe drinking water, treat wastewater responsibly, develop sustainable supplies, and protect lives through flood control. This role supports municipal and industrial water treatment facilities across the United States.

• Support HDR project leaders at local, state, and regional levels on water treatment projects involving Operations Specialists.
• Review drawings for operability and Haz Ops analysis, ensuring successful operation of diverse treatment processes.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects with municipal and industrial clients, including client interfacing, regulatory reporting, personnel, subcontractor, and maintenance management.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans; host workshops to share these plans with client contractors and operators.
• Perform startup and commissioning of new water treatment facilities, working with contractors and engineers to validate equipment functionality before handover.
• Provide formal and informal training to enable client treatment plants to operate effectively.
• Participate in testing of facilities to ensure startup readiness and compliance with design capacity.
• Perform condition assessment and asset management tasks using advanced evaluation tools.
• Conduct operational or maintenance troubleshooting and evaluations on water and wastewater facilities.

Work base includes the southern portion of the central United States but will also cover projects across the country. Travel may be required up to 30–40% of time (weekend travel normally not required).

• Minimum 10 years of field experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment at water treatment facilities and/or resolving water treatment process problems. Construction experience is a plus.
• High-level water treatment operator license or professional engineering license.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications.
• Experience with Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance and management systems.
• Commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture.
• Valid driver’s license.

• High School diploma or equivalent.
• Microsoft Office product experience.
• General background‑related experience.
• Commitment to active participation in our employee‑owned culture.

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences to make great things possible every day.

As employee owners, we create an inclusive environment where everyone is welcome, valued, respected, and empowered. Our employee network groups foster belonging and support.

Comprehensive benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement. Compensation range: $71,960–$128,500 (full‑time regular).

United States, Virginia, Vienna

United States - West Virginia, Ohio (Cincinnati), North Carolina (Charlotte), Georgia, New York (East Syracuse), Florida (Doral), Alabama (Mobile), Florida (Fort Lauderdale), Pennsylvania (Bethlehem), North Carolina (Wilmington), Tennessee (Nashville), ... (list truncated for brevity)

Water

Full‑time

Regular

December 31, 2025

At HDR, we are 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, arrests, and conviction records.