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Dam Design Engineers Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Schnabel Engineering

Senior Dam Engineer

Seattle, WA · On-site

$118.90K - $163.30K/yr

Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 31 offices throughout the United ... Train and mentor junior engineers. Required Skills/Experience: * A Bachelor's Degree in Civil ...

Schnabel Engineering, Inc.

Senior Dam Engineer

Seattle, WA

$118.90K - $163.30K/yr

Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 31 offices throughout the United ... Train and mentor junior engineers. Required Skills/Experience: * A Bachelor's Degree in Civil ...

Schnabel Inc.

Senior Dam Engineer

Seattle, WA

$118.90K - $163.30K/yr

Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 31 offices throughout the United ... Train and mentor junior engineers. Required Skills/Experience: * A Bachelor's Degree in Civil ...

Schnabel Engineering, Inc.

Senior Dam Engineer

Portland, OR

$110.80K - $152.20K/yr

Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 31 offices throughout the United ... Train and mentor junior engineers. Required Skills/Experience: * A Bachelor's Degree in Civil ...

Schnabel Inc.

Senior Dam Engineer

Portland, OR

$110.80K - $152.20K/yr

Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 31 offices throughout the United ... Train and mentor junior engineers. Required Skills/Experience: * A Bachelor's Degree in Civil ...

Schnabel Inc.

Senior Dam Safety Engineer

Lexington, KY · On-site +1

$135K - $215K/yr

Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700+ employees in 31 offices throughout the United ... Manage and mentor junior engineers, commensurate with experience level. * Periodic travel will be ...

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Dam Design Engineers information

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$40.5K

$88.2K

$158.5K

How much do dam design engineers jobs pay per year?

As of May 31, 2026, the average yearly pay for dam design engineers in the United States is $88,150.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $68,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Dam Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Dam Design Engineer, a strong background in civil or structural engineering, hydrology, and geotechnical principles is essential, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree and professional licensure (e.g., PE). Familiarity with design software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and specialized hydrological modeling tools, as well as knowledge of safety and regulatory standards, is commonly required. Excellent problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help engineers collaborate with multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders. These competencies are crucial to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant dam structures that protect communities and the environment.

What are some common challenges Dam Design Engineers face when working on multidisciplinary teams?

Dam Design Engineers often collaborate with geologists, hydrologists, environmental scientists, and construction professionals. One common challenge is ensuring clear communication and coordination across these specialties, as each discipline may have different priorities and technical requirements. Balancing structural safety with environmental and regulatory considerations can require creative problem-solving and adaptability. Proactively addressing these challenges by fostering open communication and regular meetings helps keep projects on track and ensures all perspectives are integrated into the final design.

What are Dam Design Engineers?

Dam Design Engineers are specialized civil engineers who focus on the planning, design, and construction of dams and related hydraulic structures. They assess site conditions, analyze hydrological data, and ensure that dams are structurally sound and meet safety standards. Their work involves selecting appropriate materials, designing spillways, and considering environmental impacts. Dam Design Engineers collaborate with geologists, environmental scientists, and construction teams throughout a project’s lifecycle. Their expertise is crucial for water management, flood control, and hydroelectric power generation.

What is the difference between Dam Design Engineers vs Civil Engineers?

AspectDam Design EngineersCivil Engineers
CredentialsBachelor's in Civil Engineering, PE license often preferredBachelor's in Civil Engineering, PE license often required
Work EnvironmentSpecialized in dam projects, often in remote or construction sitesVaried, including buildings, infrastructure, and projects across multiple sectors
Industry UsagePrimarily in water resources, hydroelectric, and dam constructionBroad industry use including transportation, structural, environmental, and water resources

Dam Design Engineers focus specifically on designing and analyzing dam structures, requiring specialized knowledge in hydraulics and geotechnical engineering. Civil Engineers have a broader scope, working on various infrastructure projects. While both roles require similar credentials, Dam Design Engineers are more specialized in dam-related projects, whereas Civil Engineers work across multiple sectors.

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Dam Design Engineers jobs near you
Infographic showing various Dam Design Engineers job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 99% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 69% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 26% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $88,150 per year, or $42.4 per hour.
Senior Dam Engineer

Senior Dam Engineer

Schnabel Engineering

Seattle, WA • On-site

$118.90K - $163.30K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 24 days ago

Job description

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 31 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 fun atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation. The Seattle office is seeking a Senior Dam Engineer with expertise and practical experience in geotechnical engineering to support our growing office and region. We are looking for experienced, motivated candidates with attention to detail, a passion to continue to develop as a professional, and a desire to be part of a strong multi-disciplinary team.
The Seattle office of Schnabel focuses on the evaluation and design of dams, structures, and facilities as well as advancing our practice of risk informed decision making within our dam engineering group. Example projects include the inspection, evaluation and design of embankment and concrete dams, spillways, outlet works, tunnels and instrumentation, and performing risk assessments for dam owners for sites located across the United States.
Job Responsibilities:
Perform the following dam engineering tasks:
  • Provide engineering expertise, technical oversight and overall management of dam engineering projects. Engineering services may include inspection, investigation, evaluation, analysis, design and construction of existing and new dams, reservoirs, and hydraulic structures.
  • Develop engineering proposals and qualification statements.
  • Prepare and review of design calculations, engineering reports, construction drawings, and technical specifications.
  • Manage client relationships.
  • Perform project management activities including planning and delegating work, managing project budgets, invoicing, communicating resource needs and reporting backlog.
  • Work as a team member within the Seattle office, and across Schnabel to effectively balance workload among available resources.
  • Train and mentor junior engineers.

Required Skills/Experience:
  • A Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering or other related engineering discipline from an ABET-accredited program
  • 10+ years of relevant work experience in civil engineering; work may consist of geotechnical analysis and design, geologic engineering, engineering geology, or hydrologic/hydraulic analyses, structural engineering, or other related field with specific emphasis in dam design or dam safety
  • Licensed Professional Engineer or Engineering Geologist and the ability to obtain reciprocity
  • Experience and knowledge of applicable state and federal dam safety design methodologies, policies, and regulations
  • Experience/proficiency with common computer-aided analysis and modeling programs applicable to dam engineering
  • Experience preparing and reviewing construction drawings and technical specifications
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills
  • Strong communication and client forward personality
  • A strong work ethic and the desire to perform professionally at a high level
  • Ability to work independently or as part of a team
  • Attention to detail and well-organized
  • Willingness to travel and oversee field work when needed
  • Experience in proposal development and contract execution
  • Experience with project and contract management

Desired Skills/Experience:
  • Master's degree in Geotechnical Engineering or engineering Geology
  • Experience in construction/project scheduling
  • Experience in cost estimating
  • Previous FERC approval as IC, SME or field engineer on FERC regulated dams

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 this position is between $120,000 to $160,000. 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.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.

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