Senior Hydrology & Hydraulic Modeling Lead

Position Description: RIZZO International, Inc. is seeking a highly experienced Senior Hydrology & Hydraulic Modeling Lead to provide technical leadership and oversight in integrated hydrology, hydraulics, and advanced numerical modeling for complex water-related infrastructure projects.

This role is ideal for a seasoned professional with extensive experience in dam engineering, hydropower development, nuclear cooling water systems, tailings dams, flood control infrastructure, and large-scale drainage systems. The selected candidate will serve as a technical authority responsible for high-level modeling strategy, design oversight, regulatory support, and mentorship of junior engineers across domestic and international projects.

Responsibilities:

• Lead hydrologic and hydraulic analyses for dams, hydropower facilities, nuclear power plants, tailings dams, levees, flood control systems, and major drainage infrastructure

• Provide technical supervision and quality control for 1D/2D hydraulic and hydrologic models

• Perform and oversee:

• Flood frequency and PMP/PMF studies

• Water availability and water balance analyses

• Dam break and inundation mapping studies

• Embankment erosion and sediment transport modeling

• Scour analyses and river morphodynamic assessments

• Cooling water intake/discharge hydraulic and thermal studies

• Develop, review, and validate advanced numerical models using:

• HEC-RAS (1D/2D)

• HEC-HMS

• FLOW-3D

• OpenFOAM

• RiverFlow2D

• FLO-2D

• ANSYS

• Support reservoir operations modeling and climate change impact assessments

• Provide input on project planning, budgets, scheduling, and modeling strategies

• Prepare technical scopes of work, proposals, reports, and client presentations

• Attend and lead domestic and international client and regulatory meetings

• Mentor and supervise junior and intermediate engineers

• Support interdisciplinary coordination across geotechnical, structural, and environmental teams

Experience Requirements:

• B.S. in Civil, Hydraulic, or Water Resources Engineering (M.S. or Ph.D. preferred)

• 15+ years of progressive experience in hydrology and hydraulic modeling

• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license or ability to obtain licensure

• Demonstrated leadership and technical oversight on complex water infrastructure projects

• Extensive numerical modeling experience in surface water hydrology and hydraulics

• Strong foundation in:

• Fluid mechanics

• Surface water hydrology

• Hydraulic structures design

• Statistics and flood frequency analysis

• Sediment transport and river hydraulics

• Experience with GIS and CADD software

• International project experience preferred

• Coastal modeling experience considered an asset

Preferred Experience:

• Hydropower development and rehabilitation

• Dam safety reviews and regulatory support

• Nuclear power plant cooling water systems

• Tailings dam hydrology and dam breach assessments

• Climate resilience and extreme event modeling

• Design-build infrastructure delivery

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000 – $150,000 per year (commensurate with experience)

Competitive Compensation Package:

• 401(k)

• Accident/Wellness insurance

• Dental insurance

• Dependent care spending account

• Flexible spending account

• Health insurance

• Company-paid life, AD&D, and short/long term disability

• Paid time off (vacation, paid sick leave, holidays)

• Professional development opportunities

• Employee referral program

• Relocation assistance (as applicable)

• Vision insurance

• Optional work from home Fridays

• Twelve (12) annual work from home days

BACKGROUND

RIZZO International, Inc. is a woman-owned, highly focused consulting firm specializing in all aspects of civil engineering, earth sciences, and field/testing services for dams, nuclear power plants, and other power-related markets. Our firm has worked around the world on unique, challenging, and technically demanding projects. We take pride in our commitment to providing personal and professional services in a responsive, high quality manner, and continually strive to exceed our clients’ expectations by providing innovative and economically smart solutions. To learn more about our global experience visit us at www.rizzointl.com.

EOE M/F/Disability/Veteran

EEOC Disclaimer: RIZZO International, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer in that our policy, in accordance with Federal and State laws, prohibits employment discrimination solely on the basis of a person’s race, color, creed, sexual orientation, sex, marital status, or disability except where a reasonable, bona fide occupational qualification exists.