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Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer Jobs in Indiana

Engineer II - Sewer

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Engineer II - Sewer Schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (hours may vary)Are you a Professional Engineer ... AutoCAD, Civil 3D, GIS, and hydraulic modeling toolsWhy Work for the City of Fort Wayne Step into a ...

Engineer II - Sewer

Fort Wayne, IN · On-site

$90K - $115K/yr

Engineer II - Sewer Schedule: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM (hours may vary) Are you a Professional Engineer ... hydraulic modeling tools Why Work for the City of Fort Wayne * Step into a leadership role with ...

Design Engineer

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$65K - $85K/yr

... hydraulic modeling, grading/drainage, or mechanical/electrical system sizing). * Prepare ... Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred * Experience with design and analysis tools ...

... hydraulic modeling, grading/drainage, or mechanical/electrical system sizing). * Prepare ... Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred * Experience with design and analysis tools ...

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Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer information

What does a freelance hydraulic modeling engineer do?

A Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer specializes in simulating and analyzing the behavior of water and other fluids within various systems, such as pipelines, rivers, and drainage networks. They use advanced software tools to model fluid dynamics, assess infrastructure performance, predict potential issues, and help design efficient water management solutions. Working on a freelance basis, they often assist engineering firms, municipalities, or developers on a project-by-project basis, providing expertise in hydraulic modeling without being tied to a single employer.

What are some common challenges faced by freelance hydraulic modeling engineers, and how can they be addressed?

Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineers often encounter challenges such as limited access to proprietary modeling software, managing client expectations regarding project timelines, and ensuring clear communication with multidisciplinary teams remotely. To address these, professionals typically invest in widely accepted software licenses, establish clear project scopes and deliverables upfront, and use collaborative tools to stay connected with clients and other engineers. Staying updated with industry best practices and maintaining a strong professional network also helps in overcoming technical and communication hurdles.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a freelance hydraulic modeling engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer, you need a solid background in civil or environmental engineering, fluid mechanics, and hydraulic modeling principles, typically supported by a relevant engineering degree. Proficiency with software tools such as HEC-RAS, SWMM, InfoWorks, or similar hydraulic modeling systems, along with familiarity with GIS and CAD platforms, is essential. Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and effective communication skills set top professionals apart in client interactions and project delivery. These skills and qualities are crucial for delivering accurate analyses, ensuring regulatory compliance, and building client trust in both independent and collaborative project environments.

What is the difference between Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer vs Civil Hydraulic Engineer?

AspectFreelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer
CredentialsEngineering degree, hydraulic modeling certifications
Work EnvironmentIndependent, project-based, remote or on-site
Employer & IndustryConsulting firms, engineering companies, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonFocus on modeling skills, flexibility, and project scope

The Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer specializes in creating hydraulic models on a project basis, often working independently. In contrast, a Civil Hydraulic Engineer may work full-time within a firm or government agency, handling broader civil engineering tasks. Both roles require similar credentials but differ mainly in employment structure and work setup.

What are the most commonly searched types of Hydraulic Modeling Engineer jobs in Indiana?

The most popular types of Hydraulic Modeling Engineer jobs in Indiana are:

What are popular job titles related to Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer jobs in Indiana?

For Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer jobs in Indiana look for?

The top searched job categories for Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer jobs in Indiana are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Freelance Hydraulic Modeling Engineer job openings:

Senior Bridge Hydraulics & Drainage Engineer

CDM Smith

Indianapolis, IN

Full-time

Posted 5 hours ago

Posted today


CDM Smith rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

33rd of 450 rated engineering


Job description

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!
Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.
Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.
Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.


Job Description

With high-level goals provided, serves as a technical leader for bridge hydraulics, roadway drainage, stormwater management, floodplain analysis, and water resources engineering for transportation infrastructure projects. Leads hydrologic and hydraulic studies supporting bridge replacements, bridge rehabilitations, roadway widening, interchange improvements, and major transportation corridors. Serves as Engineer of Record and provides technical oversight, quality assurance, client coordination, and mentoring for multidisciplinary transportation projects. This position supports transportation agencies including DOT clients through planning, preliminary engineering, final design, permitting, construction support, and business development activities.

Primary Responsibilities

Bridge Hydraulics, Hydrology & Drainage Engineering (45%)

  • Lead hydraulic and hydrologic analyses supporting bridge replacement and rehabilitation projects.
  • Perform floodplain, scour, watershed, culvert, and bridge opening evaluations.
  • Develop roadway drainage systems including storm sewer networks, cross drains, side drains, culverts, channels, detention facilities, energy dissipation features, and stormwater treatment facilities.
  • Prepare drainage reports, hydraulic reports, bridge hydraulics studies, FEMA-related analyses, and watershed evaluations.
  • Conduct stormwater management and erosion/sediment control design.
  • Coordinate hydraulic design with roadway, bridge, environmental, geotechnical, and permitting disciplines.
  • Review and approve hydraulic calculations, plans, reports, and specifications prepared by project teams.
  • Sign and seal engineering documents as required

Site Reviews and Field Investigations (5%)

  • Conduct field evaluations of bridges, culverts, channels, floodplains, and roadway drainage systems.
  • Perform watershed investigations and hydraulic condition assessments.
  • Collect field data needed to support hydrologic and hydraulic models.
  • Support construction-phase reviews and resolution of drainage and hydraulic issues.

Technical Knowledge Management (10%)

  • Develop technical guidance, best-practice documents, drainage manuals, and hydraulic design procedures.
  • Support innovation in hydraulic modeling and transportation drainage design.
  • Prepare white papers, technical presentations, and conference materials.
  • Contribute to firmwide water resources and transportation engineering knowledge initiatives.

Business Development & Sales Support (10%)

  • Support transportation pursuits and proposal development.
  • Develop scopes of work, fee estimates, technical approaches, and staffing plans.
  • Participate in client interviews and technical presentations.
  • Serve as bridge hydraulics/drainage subject matter expert during pursuits and project delivery.

Technical Leadership & Mentoring (15%)

  • Provide technical oversight for bridge hydraulics and transportation drainage staff.
  • Mentor junior engineers and designers in hydraulic modeling, drainage design, permitting, and transportation applications.
  • Perform QA/QC reviews of hydraulic reports, plans, calculations, and models.

Technical Visibility / Industry Leadership (10%)

  • Participate in professional organizations and transportation industry events.
  • Represent the firm before DOT clients, regulatory agencies, and project stakeholders.
  • Support technical presentations, workshops, and client-facing activities related to bridge hydraulics, roadway drainage, and water resources engineering.

Other Duties (5%)

  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills & Abilities

Desired Technical Expertise in

Transportation Hydraulics:

  • Bridge hydraulic analysis
  • Scour evaluations
  • Floodplain analysis
  • Culvert hydraulics
  • Watershed studies
  • Stormwater management
  • Open channel hydraulics
  • Sediment and erosion control
  • FEMA flood studies
  • Water quality BMP design

Software:

  • HEC-RAS
  • HEC-HMS
  • HY-8
  • SWMM
  • ICPR
  • MicroStation
  • AutoCAD
  • Bentley drainage applications
  • Hydraulic and hydrologic modeling software

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil, Transportation, or Structural Engineering or related discipline.
  • Professional engineering (PE) license. 
  • 10 years of related experience.
  • Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
  • Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications
  • 15+ years of transportation water resources experience.
  • Bridge hydraulics and bridge replacement project experience.
  • INDOT roadway widening and interchange experience.
  • FEMA floodplain modeling experience.
  • Drainage Engineer of Record experience.
  • Experience managing multidisciplinary transportation design teams.
  • Experience with FHWA, INDOT, floodplain, and environmental permitting requirements.

#LI-MS1

#LI-HYBRID


Amount of Travel Required
10% or less
EEO Statement
We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Background Check and Drug Testing Information
CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as "CDM Smith") reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
Massachusetts Applicants
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Pay Range Min
USD $100,214.00
Pay Range Max
USD $175,365.00
Additional Pay Range Information
CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate's salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.
Additional Compensation
All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
Visa Sponsorship Available
No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position
Agency Disclaimer
All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in Civil, Transportation, or Structural Engineering or related discipline.
  • Professional engineering (PE) license. 
  • 10 years of related experience.
  • Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
  • Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
Education:UNAVAILABLEEmployment Type: UNAVAILABLE

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About CDM Smith

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

CDM Smith is a distinguished name in the engineering and construction industry, providing insightful consulting, designing, and execution services. Based in Boston, Massachusetts, US, this full-service engineering and construction firm was founded in 1947 and has been contributing to the national and global infrastructure ever since. Serving across diverse sectors like transportation, environment, water, energy, and facilities, they have built a reputation for excellence. The company firmly stands on its mission of delivering lasting, superior solutions to the world's complex challenges, thereby ensuring their clients create a transformative impact.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Cambridge, MA, US

Year founded

1947