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Hydrodynamic Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Garrett Motion

IAC Development Engineer

Torrance, CA

$105K - $131K/yr

We design, manufacture and sell highly engineered turbocharging, air and fluid compression, and ... Experience in high speed electric motors and hydrodynamic bearings * Experience with casting ...

Garrett Motion

IAC Development Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$105K - $131K/yr

We design, manufacture and sell highly engineered turbocharging, air and fluid compression, and ... Experience in high speed electric motors and hydrodynamic bearings * Experience with casting ...

Arc Boat Company

Marine Systems Engineer

Torrance, CA · On-site

$125K/yr

Running structural, thermal, and hydrodynamic analysis to size and validate components before they ... Partnering with electrical and controls engineers to integrate Arc's powertrain into the vessel

Stantec

Water Resources Planning Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$112K - $168K/yr

... Engineer to join our multi-disciplinary team of integrated water management professionals, each ... This may include managing and/or supporting hydrologic, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic modeling ...

Arc Boat Company

Marine Systems Engineer

Torrance, CA

$125K/yr

Running structural, thermal, and hydrodynamic analysis to size and validate components before they ... Partnering with electrical and controls engineers to integrate Arc's powertrain into the vessel

New

Stantec

Water Resources Planning Engineer

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$84K - $115K/yr

... Engineer to join our multi-disciplinary team of integrated water management professionals, each ... This may include managing and/or supporting hydrologic, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic modeling ...

Stantec

Water Resources EIT

Sacramento, CA · On-site

$84K - $115K/yr

... engineering analysis and design, modeling of physical systems (hydrology, water operations, reservoir and river temperature, hydrodynamics), or integrating technical analysis and stakeholder input ...

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All JobsHydrodynamic Engineer JobsHydrodynamic Engineer Jobs in California

Hydrodynamic Engineer information

See California salary details

$35.3K

$102.9K

$169.9K

How much do hydrodynamic engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 9, 2026, the average yearly pay for hydrodynamic engineer in California is $102,924.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $75,890.00 and $125,830.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Hydrodynamic Engineer vs Marine Engineer?

AspectHydrodynamic EngineerMarine Engineer
Required CredentialsBachelor's in Mechanical, Naval Architecture, or Marine Engineering; often includes fluid dynamics certificationsBachelor's in Marine Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Naval Architecture; may include marine-specific certifications
Work EnvironmentDesigning and analyzing fluid flow around ships, offshore structures, or underwater vehiclesMaintaining and repairing ship machinery, engines, and onboard systems
Industry UsageShip design, offshore engineering, naval architectureShip operation, maintenance, and repair in maritime industry

Hydrodynamic Engineers focus on fluid flow analysis and design related to watercraft and offshore structures, while Marine Engineers handle the operation and maintenance of ship machinery. Both roles require engineering degrees and are integral to maritime industries, but their daily tasks and specializations differ significantly.

What does a hydrodynamic engineer do?

A Hydrodynamic Engineer specializes in studying and designing systems involving the movement of fluids, particularly water. They analyze how fluids interact with structures like ships, offshore platforms, and pipelines to ensure safety, efficiency, and performance. Their work often involves computational modeling, laboratory experiments, and field testing to solve complex engineering challenges. Hydrodynamic engineers are commonly employed in industries such as maritime, offshore oil and gas, and renewable energy (like wave and tidal power).

What are some common challenges hydrodynamic engineers face when working on marine vessel design projects?

Hydrodynamic Engineers often encounter challenges such as optimizing vessel performance while balancing stability, speed, and fuel efficiency. They must analyze complex fluid dynamics and integrate their findings with input from structural and mechanical engineers, often working within tight project deadlines. Collaborating effectively with multidisciplinary teams and adapting to evolving simulation technologies are also key aspects of the role. These challenges require a strong foundation in computational modeling and excellent communication skills to ensure successful project outcomes.

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

To thrive as a Hydrodynamic Engineer, you generally need a strong background in fluid mechanics, mathematics, and engineering principles, usually supported by a degree in mechanical, civil, or marine engineering. Expertise in simulation software such as ANSYS Fluent, STAR-CCM+, and proficiency in CAD tools are commonly required, along with relevant certifications in engineering analysis. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective teamwork skills help professionals excel in this field. These competencies are crucial for designing safe and efficient systems that perform reliably under complex marine or fluid-related conditions.
What are popular job titles related to Hydrodynamic Engineer jobs in California? For Hydrodynamic Engineer jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Hydrodynamic Engineer jobs in California look for? The top searched job categories for Hydrodynamic Engineer jobs in California are:
Hydrodynamic Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Hydrodynamic Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $102,924 per year, or $49.5 per hour.

Early-Career Water Resources Engineer

Geosyntec Consultants, Inc.

San Diego, CA • On-site

$80K - $109K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Job description

Overview
Do you want to build an impactful career to change the world for the better?
Geosyntec has an exciting opportunity for an Early-Career Water Resources Engineer to join our San Diego or Costa Mesa, California office. This role will support stormwater and surface water projects focused on urban hydrology and hydraulics, watershed and receiving water quality, green infrastructure and low-impact development, coastal flood resilience, field monitoring, environmental data analysis, and regulatory compliance for municipal, public-sector, and private clients throughout Southern California and the West Coast. This opportunity is ideal for an early-career engineer with a strong foundation in stormwater modeling, field sampling, aquatic ecosystem water quality, and applied research who is interested in translating academic and field experience into practical consulting solutions.
Geosyntec is an innovative, international engineering and consulting firm serving private and public-sector clients to address new ventures and complex problems involving our environment, natural resources, and civil infrastructure. Our engineers, scientists, technical and project employees serve our clients from offices across the world. Ranked by ENR as one of the top environmental engineering design firms, Geosyntec is internationally known for its technical leadership, broad experience, and exceptional client service.
We invest in our people. Each employee is unique, and your career at Geosyntec will be too. We offer competitive pay and benefits, and well-being programs to support you and your family.
To Learn More Visit: http://www.geosyntec.com/careers/.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities
  • Support hydrologic, hydraulic, and hydrodynamic modeling for urban stormwater, drainage, flood-prone coastal communities, and watershed-scale water quality projects using tools such as PCSWMM, EPA-SWMM, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, ArcGIS, and related platforms.
  • Assist with stormwater infrastructure evaluations, drainage system assessments, flood vulnerability analyses, and climate resilience studies for municipal and public-sector clients in San Diego, Imperial Beach, Southern California, and other West Coast communities.
  • Support green infrastructure and low-impact development evaluations, including BMP siting, performance assessment, life-cycle considerations, pollutant load reduction analyses, and design support for projects intended to improve water quality in aquatic ecosystems.
  • Conduct field investigations and monitoring activities, including stormwater sampling, receiving water monitoring, sediment collection, groundwater-level observations, site reconnaissance, photo documentation, and coordination of field equipment installations.
  • Assist with development, calibration, review, and interpretation of computer models that simulate storm drain infrastructure response, litter transport, runoff generation, pollutant buildup and washoff, combined sewer system performance, and climate change impacts.
  • Prepare technical memoranda, modeling documentation, figures, maps, tables, calculations, monitoring summaries, and data visualizations to support stormwater planning, water quality assessments, NPDES/MS4 compliance, and engineering design deliverables.
  • Manage and analyze environmental monitoring data, including laboratory analytical results, field measurements, chain-of-custody documentation, GIS datasets, hydrologic records, photographs, and model input/output files.
  • Support preparation of Stormwater Pollution Prevention Plans (SWPPPs), Water Quality Management Plans (WQMPs), monitoring reports, inspection summaries, BMP evaluations, and other regulatory compliance documents.
  • Coordinate with project managers, field staff, laboratories, contractors, agencies, and community stakeholders to plan field events, support permitting and access needs, communicate findings, and track project tasks.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams of engineers and scientists while developing consulting, technical writing, project delivery, and client communication skills.
  • Drive personal, company, and rental vehicles to client or company project or office sites, and other business locations, as needed.

Education and Licensure
  • Bachelor's degree in environmental engineering, civil engineering, water resources engineering, or a closely related discipline. (required)
  • Advanced degree in environmental or civil engineering with emphasis in water resources, hydrology, hydraulics, stormwater management, coastal water quality, or a closely related discipline. (preferred)
  • Doctoral research, master's research, or equivalent applied project experience involving stormwater modeling, water quality, watershed assessment, green infrastructure, or climate resilience. (preferred)
  • Engineering Intern (EI) or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, or ability and interest to obtain certification. (preferred)

Skills, Experience and Qualifications
  • At least 2 years of related experience in water resources, environmental engineering, stormwater management, surface water quality, hydrologic/hydraulic modeling, environmental monitoring, or applied research; graduate research, teaching, internship, contractor, and field experience. (preferred)
  • Strong interest in improving water quality in aquatic ecosystems through stormwater management, watershed planning, green infrastructure, field monitoring, and data-driven engineering analysis. (required)
  • Experience or coursework with hydrology, hydraulics, open channel flow, environmental hydrology, water resources engineering, applied mathematics, numerical methods, heat and mass transfer, or remote sensing. (preferred)
  • Technical experience developing or applying hydrologic, hydraulic, or hydrodynamic models, particularly PCSWMM, EPA-SWMM, HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, or similar tools. (preferred)
  • Experience with GIS, digital elevation models, spatial analysis, watershed delineation, map/figure preparation, and interpretation of stormwater infrastructure and drainage patterns. (preferred)
  • Experience conducting field work related to stormwater, surface water, sediment, groundwater, coastal or near-shore environments, ecological monitoring, or scientific diving/boat-based sampling. (preferred)
  • Familiarity with stormwater sampling, water quality monitoring, sediment collection methods, field instrumentation, camera or monitoring station setup, and field documentation. (preferred)
  • Experience analyzing and organizing environmental data using tools such as Microsoft Excel, MATLAB, Python, R, statistical software, or other data analysis and visualization platforms. (preferred)
  • Interest in NPDES/MS4 compliance, SWPPP/WQMP support, BMP evaluations, trash/litter transport, pollutant source assessment, combined sewer system vulnerability, and climate change/resilience planning. (preferred)
  • Ability to prepare clear technical documentation, including modeling summaries, monitoring reports, technical memoranda, conference or client-facing presentations, figures, tables, and supporting calculations. (required)
  • Strong communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively with project teams, laboratories, contractors, agencies, students, and community or municipal stakeholders. (required)
  • Ability to work in a consulting environment by managing multiple assignments, meeting deadlines, asking thoughtful technical questions, and supporting high-quality deliverables. (required)
  • Willingness to perform field work in Southern California and other project locations, including storm event response, site inspections, monitoring equipment deployment, sediment or water quality sampling, and occasional overnight travel. (required)
  • Health & Safety training, medical monitoring, and client-driven drug and background testing may be required.
  • Valid U.S. driver's license and a satisfactory driving record for business travel. (required)

This opportunity will be posted for at least five days. Below are the potential compensation ranges that we in good faith believe are applicable for this role at the time of this posting and are only applicable for jobs to be performed in the specified location(s) below. The typical base salary range for this position is just one component of Geosyntec's total compensation package for employees. Actual compensation will be determined based on education, experience, skill set and location.
  • Minimum: $73,880/yearly / Maximum: $106,945/yearly (San Diego, Costa Mesa)

We offer a comprehensive benefits package including, paid holidays, vacation, sick, and personal paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance, 401(k), and other benefits to eligible employees.
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