1

Hydraulic Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Hydraulic Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

About Us Larson Design Group (LDG) is an award-winning, employee-owned Architecture, Engineering ... The Hydraulic Engineer supports and coordinates design activities, assists with project schedules ...

Hydraulic Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$59K - $89K/yr

About Us Larson Design Group (LDG) is an award-winning, employee-owned Architecture, Engineering ... Your Opportunity + Impact The Hydraulic Designer is an entry‑level technical role on the ...

Hydraulic Engineer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

About Us Larson Design Group (LDG) is an award-winning, employee-owned Architecture, Engineering ... The Hydraulic Engineer supports and coordinates design activities, assists with project schedules ...

Hydraulic Designer

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$59K - $89K/yr

About Us Larson Design Group (LDG) is an award-winning, employee-owned Architecture, Engineering ... Your Opportunity + Impact The Hydraulic Designer is an entry-level technical role on the ...

Hydrology & Hydraulics Design Engineer

Jackson, MS · Hybrid

$71K - $92K/yr

Hydraulic Modeling (HEC-RAS 1D/2D, MS DOT, HydroWIN, FHWA HY-8 and Hydraulic Toolbox) * Design of ... Mentor junior engineers and designers, providing guidance on technical work and best practices

Product Engineering (CA) Title: Design Engineer, Hydraulics-123859 Onsite/Remote:Onsite Position ... Model hydraulic components in CREO CAD * Negotiate with suppliers and internal stakeholders * Work ...

Hydraulic Systems Engineer

Tulsa, OK · On-site

$69K - $91K/yr

Design and create design packages for aircraft hydraulic and electrical subsystems. * Evaluation of ... Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline or equivalent education and experience preferred.

As our Thermal Hydraulic Core Design Engineer, you will contribute to a variety of projects in a collaborative team environment, performing thermal analysis of advanced core designs that include a ...

The Design Engineer provides technical expertise and engineering support for Contech Engineered ... Develop project-specific engineering solutions, including hydraulic, geotechnical, and structural ...

Showing results 21-40

Hydraulic Design Engineer information

See salary details

$57K

$94.3K

$116.5K

How much do hydraulic design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for hydraulic design engineer in the United States is $94,322.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $107,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a hydraulic design engineer do?

A Hydraulic Design Engineer is responsible for designing, analyzing, and optimizing systems that use fluids, typically water, to transmit power or control processes. Their work includes creating plans for hydraulic systems in infrastructure projects like dams, pipelines, irrigation, and water treatment plants. They also ensure designs meet safety, efficiency, and environmental standards, often collaborating with other engineers and stakeholders throughout a project's lifecycle.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hydraulic design engineer?

To thrive as a Hydraulic Design Engineer, you need a solid background in fluid mechanics, civil or mechanical engineering, and a relevant engineering degree or licensure such as a Professional Engineer (PE). Proficiency in CAD software, hydraulic modeling tools like HEC-RAS or EPANET, and familiarity with industry standards are typically required. Strong problem-solving, project management, and communication skills help you collaborate effectively and deliver innovative solutions. These competencies are essential for designing safe, efficient hydraulic systems that meet client and regulatory requirements.

What are some common challenges faced by hydraulic design engineers when working on multidisciplinary projects?

Hydraulic Design Engineers often work closely with professionals from civil, mechanical, and environmental engineering disciplines, which can present coordination challenges. One common issue is ensuring that hydraulic systems integrate seamlessly with structural and architectural designs, requiring frequent communication and adjustments. Additionally, managing differing project timelines and priorities among teams can be demanding, so strong organizational and collaboration skills are essential. Adapting to changing site conditions and regulatory requirements can also require quick problem-solving and flexibility.

What is the difference between Hydraulic Design Engineer vs Mechanical Engineer?

AspectHydraulic Design EngineerMechanical Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Civil, Mechanical, or Hydraulic Engineering; Professional Engineer (PE) license often preferredBachelor's in Mechanical Engineering; PE license common for certain roles
Work EnvironmentDesigning hydraulic systems for water, sewage, or flood control projectsDesigning mechanical systems across various industries like manufacturing, HVAC, or automotive
Industry UsageWater resources, civil infrastructure, environmental projectsManufacturing, energy, automotive, aerospace

Hydraulic Design Engineers focus on designing systems involving fluid flow in water and civil projects, while Mechanical Engineers have a broader scope across multiple industries. Both roles require engineering credentials and involve system design, but their applications and environments differ significantly.

More about Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs

What cities are hiring for Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs?

Cities with the most Hydraulic Design Engineer job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs?

The most popular types of Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs are:

Who are the top companies hiring for Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs?

The top employers for Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs are:

What are popular job titles related to Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs?

For Hydraulic Design Engineer jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

Infographic showing various Hydraulic Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 85% Full Time, and 15% Contract. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $94,322 per year, or $45.3 per hour.

Hydraulic Engineer

Raleigh, NC • On-site

Larson Design Group
Civil Engineering Construction • 201 - 500 employees

$80K - $120K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 4 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Performs independent hydraulic planning and design tasks, including roadway drainage design, culvert and bridge hydraulics, stormwater management, and erosion control plans.

  • Supports NCDOT bridge and culvert replacement projects by preparing hydraulic reports, conducting scour analysis, and coordinating with roadway and structures teams.

  • Conducts HEC‑RAS 1D modeling for culverts and bridges, and supports hydraulic analyses through supplemental surveys and field reconnaissance.


Larson Design Group rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

About Us

Larson Design Group (LDG) is an award-winning, employee-owned Architecture, Engineering, and Consulting Firm. Guided by our core values, we’re expanding our team, opening new offices, and adding new offerings to provide responsive, innovative solutions to clients nationwide.   

Being 100% employee-owned directly impacts our culture: it drives our decision-making, motivates our teams, increases our productivity, improves retention, and contributes to the future success of our company. Our culture is one where we work hard for our clients and for each other – and we have fun collaborating, sharing experience and expertise, and learning along the way. We’re passionate about delivering exceptional quality, elevating client relationships, enriching the careers and lives of our employee owners, and enhancing the communities where we live and serve.     

At LDG, we strive to create an organization where people want to work. We offer a flexible work environment, paid training for required licensures, competitive benefits, bonus plans, and a company-funded Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) while supporting your professional and personal growth.    

Your Opportunity + Impact

The Hydraulic Engineer functions as a technical contributor and emerging leader within the Transportation group. This role requires a Professional Engineer (PE) license and relevant experience in NCDOT hydraulic design, including drainage, bridge and culvert replacements, and hydrologic/hydraulic modeling. The Hydraulic Engineer supports and coordinates design activities, assists with project schedules and submissions, and performs QA/QC tasks to ensure deliverables meet NCDOT standards and client expectations.

Key Responsibilities

  • Performs independent hydraulic planning and design tasks, including roadway drainage design, culvert and bridge hydraulics, stormwater management, and erosion control plans.
  • Conducts HEC‑RAS 1D modeling for culverts and bridges; 2D modeling experience is a plus.
  • Supports NCDOT bridge and culvert replacement projects, including hydraulic reports, scour analysis, and coordination with roadway and structures teams.
  • Develops NCDOT drainage designs, including storm drain systems, ditches, channels, and BMPs.
  • Utilizes OpenRoads Designer (ORD) Drainage & GeoPak Drainage for hydraulic modeling and plan production.
  • Performs supplemental surveys and field reconnaissance to verify drainage features, collect site data, and support hydraulic analyses.
  • Reviews the work of others, prepares construction documents, and assists in delivering projects to completion.
  • Maintains collaborative inter‑departmental and cross‑functional working relationships with project team members.
  • Conducts initial QA/QC reviews of hydraulic submissions to ensure compliance with NCDOT standards and technical requirements.
  • Assists senior staff in developing schedules, technical proposals, and labor hour estimates for hydraulic scopes.
  • Communicates effectively with project teams to define and deliver hydraulic design scope.
  • Promotes and supports quality assurance and quality control processes to enhance deliverables and reduce design errors or omissions.
  • Performs and verifies hydraulic calculations, develops technical specifications, and prepares cost estimates.
  • Develops and manages design budgets for routine hydraulic scopes of work.
  • Provides guidance, training, and support to engineering associates and interns, helping them develop technical skills and design intuition.

Education and Experience

  • Education: Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related field from an ABET‑accredited program.
  • Experience: 4-10 years of hydraulic engineering experience, preferably with NCDOT bridge & culvert replacement projects. Proficiency with HEC‑RAS 1D, OpenRoads Designer (ORD) Drainage and/or GeoPak Drainage.
  • Licensure/Certification: Professional Engineer (PE) required.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Strong desire to expand technical knowledge and take on new responsibilities within hydraulic engineering.
  • Proficiency with HEC‑RAS 2D
  • Proficiency with Hydrologic/hydraulic software such as HY‑8, StormCAD, FlowMaster, PondPack, or similar
  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • Excellent organizational and time‑management skills to manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
  • Strong oral and written communication skills; able to work independently and collaboratively.
  • Exhibits strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills with a commitment to technical excellence and innovation.
Compensation for this position will be determined based on factors such as experience, skills, qualifications, and geographic location. The posted salary range represents the anticipated range for this role but is not a guarantee of compensation.

EEO Statement

Larson Design Group, Inc. is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO) that is committed to diversity and inclusion in the workplace. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state, or local laws. This policy applies to all employment practices within our organization.

Powered by JazzHR

Hg8Ejqu3hU


What Larson Design Group employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom