Senior Dam Water Resources Engineer

Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 32 offices throughout the United States. 

Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm. 

Benefit options include:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
• Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
• Long-term disability
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
• Bonus program
• Paid time off
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Wellness program
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement

Job Description:

Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a relaxed atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then Schnabel Engineering may be a great fit for you! We approach problems with creativity and innovation balanced with tried-and-true engineering experience and industry knowledge. 

Schnabel Engineering is seeking a Senior Dam Water Resources Engineer (>12-years experience)  with expertise in the evaluation, analysis, design, and rehabilitation of dams, reservoirs, spillways, and hydraulic structures.  The successful candidate will provide technical leadership for hydrologic and hydraulic studies while managing client relationships, mentoring staff, and contributing to the growth of Schnabel's dam engineering practice in Texas.

Job Responsibilities:

• Technical Leadership
  • Lead hydrologic and hydraulic evaluations for dams, reservoirs, levees, spillways, and water control structures.
  • Perform and oversee watershed hydrology, PMF studies, flood frequency analyses, reservoir routing studies, dam breach analyses, and spillway adequacy evaluations.
  • Direct hydraulic analyses and design of spillways, outlet works, energy dissipation systems, and other hydraulic structures.
  • Support dam safety inspections, rehabilitation studies, risk assessments, and engineering evaluations.
  • Prepare and review technical reports, engineering calculations, plans, specifications, and supporting documentation.
  • Provide design-phase and construction-phase engineering support for dam rehabilitation and improvement projects.
  • Serve as a technical resource and subject matter expert for hydrologic, hydraulic, and water resources engineering issues.
• Project Management
  • Manage complex dam engineering projects from planning through construction.
  • Develop scopes of work, budgets, schedules, and staffing plans.
  • Monitor project financial performance and resource utilization.
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary teams across Schnabel offices.
• Client Management & Business Development
  • Develop and maintain strong client relationships with dam owners, utilities, governmental agencies, and water resource organizations.
  • Support business development efforts through networking, conference participation, and strategic client engagement.
  • Lead and contribute to proposals, qualifications packages, and interviews.
  • Assist with negotiating professional services contracts.
• Staff Management
  • Mentor and supervise engineers and technical staff.
  • Support professional development and technical growth of junior staff.
  • Participate in recruiting and staff development initiatives.

 Required Skills/Experience:

• A Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering or other related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program.  A Master’s Degree is preferred. 
• Licensed Professional Engineer in Texas (preferred) or the ability to obtain reciprocity upon employment. 
• At least 12 years of relevant technical experience in hydrologic, hydraulic, and water resources engineering.  Texas experience is preferred.
• Experience and knowledge of applicable state and federal dam safety design methodologies, policies and regulations.  Texas experience is preferred.
• Experience with project management, client management, business development, and staff management.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills.
• Attention to detail and well-organized.
• A strong work ethic and the desire to perform professionally at a high level.
• Ability to work as part of a team or independently.

Preferred Skills/Experience

• Proficiency with common computer-aided analyses and modeling programs applicable to hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for dam projects. 
• Experience preparing and reviewing construction drawings and technical specifications.  
• Experience with construction of earth dams, concrete dams, and hydraulic structures.

Other Requirements:

• Ability to pass a background check which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record, and credit check.
• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screening.

The compensation range for an Associate level candidate is $140,000 to $160,000 with 12-15+ years of experience.

The compensation range for a Senior Associate level candidate is $160,000 to $175,000 with 15-20+ years of experience.

Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.