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Hydroelectric Power Jobs (NOW HIRING)

$140 - $190/hr

Generation sources may include natural gas, hydrogen, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), diesel, solar, hydroelectric power, energy storage, and hybrid generation systems. Join us as we Rise to ...

Mechanical Engineer

Chicago, IL · On-site

$107K - $160K/yr

You are responsible for leading the design of HVAC, Plumbing, and Fire Protection systems on municipal water treatment plants, pumping stations, wastewater treatment plants, hydroelectric power ...

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Hydroelectric Power information

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$13

$24

$46

How much do hydroelectric power jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for hydroelectric power in the United States is $24.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.03 and $28.37 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are hydroelectric power jobs?

Hydroelectric power jobs involve working with the generation, operation, maintenance, and management of electricity produced by harnessing the energy of moving water. These roles can include engineers, plant operators, technicians, environmental scientists, and administrative professionals. Employees in this sector help design, construct, monitor, and repair hydroelectric dams and facilities, ensuring safe and efficient power production. Careers in hydroelectric power support renewable energy initiatives and contribute to sustainable electricity generation.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a hydroelectric power plant operator?

To thrive as a Hydroelectric Power Plant Operator, you need a solid understanding of mechanical and electrical systems, safety protocols, and typically a high school diploma or relevant technical certification. Familiarity with SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) systems, turbine controls, and maintenance management software is important. Strong problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and the ability to work independently or as part of a team are valuable soft skills in this role. These competencies are crucial for ensuring safe, efficient, and reliable operation of hydroelectric facilities.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals working in hydroelectric power operations?

Professionals in hydroelectric power operations often face challenges related to maintaining equipment reliability, adapting to fluctuating water levels, and ensuring compliance with environmental regulations. Daily tasks may involve monitoring power generation systems, performing routine maintenance, and coordinating with engineers, environmental specialists, and local authorities. Effective communication and problem-solving skills are crucial, as the work environment is typically team-oriented and may require responding quickly to unexpected issues like equipment faults or changes in weather conditions.

What is the difference between Hydroelectric Power vs Hydroelectric Plant Technician?

AspectHydroelectric PowerHydroelectric Plant Technician
CredentialsEngineering degrees, technical certificationsTechnical certifications, training in electrical/mechanical systems
Work EnvironmentPower plants, control rooms, outdoor dam sitesPower plants, maintenance facilities, outdoor dam sites
Industry UsageDesigning, managing, and optimizing hydroelectric systemsMaintaining and repairing hydroelectric equipment

Hydroelectric Power involves the overall design, management, and optimization of hydroelectric energy systems, often requiring engineering expertise. In contrast, a Hydroelectric Plant Technician focuses on the hands-on maintenance and repair of equipment within hydroelectric facilities. Both roles are essential in the hydroelectric industry but differ in scope and responsibilities.

More about Hydroelectric Power jobs

What are the most commonly searched types of Hydroelectric Power jobs?

The most popular types of Hydroelectric Power jobs are:

What states have the most Hydroelectric Power jobs?

States with the most job openings for Hydroelectric Power jobs include:

Infographic showing various Hydroelectric Power job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 87% Full Time, 9% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 91% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 6% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,977 per year, or $24.5 per hour.

Technical Lead - Energy

KCI Technologies Inc.

Clearwater, FL • Hybrid

Full-time

Posted 18 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Lead complex technical workstreams, manage engineering studies, and develop technical recommendations and project deliverables.

  • Coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure project quality, safety, and successful delivery across various power generation projects.

  • Support engineering activities related to power generation systems, including analysis, assessments, and development of technical reports.


KCI Technologies rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 17 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

242nd of 452 rated engineering


Job description

Overview

As a Technical Lead supporting the Behind-the-Meter (BTM) Power Generation team, you will provide senior-level technical leadership while promoting collaboration, quality, safety, and successful project delivery. You will lead complex technical workstreams, manage engineering studies, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and develop sound technical recommendations and project deliverables maintaining high standards of quality and safety. Projects may include brownfield and greenfield industrial, commercial, government, and data center developments. Generation sources may include natural gas, hydrogen, small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs), diesel, solar, hydroelectric power, energy storage, and hybrid generation systems.

Join us as we Rise to the Challenge

At KCI, we're building an enduring community that provides unparalleled value to our employee-owners. We make our mark designing and delivering our world-class solutions, so we invest deeply in supporting and developing our team. We reward integrity and commitment, and when we do well, you do well. Our employees have the freedom to innovate, unlimited growth, a voice that matters, a lifestyle that works, and skin in the game. Achievements are shared and celebrated. As a team, we are motivated to better ourselves, each other, and the world around us. 

 

THE COMPANY

KCI Technologies, Inc. is a 100% employee-owned engineering, consulting and construction firm serving clients throughout the United States. KCI is recognized as an industry leader, employing cutting-edge technologies, management practices and strategic growth initiatives. Employee ownership fosters an entrepreneurial spirit, encourages technical expertise, and shapes strategic planning.

KCI is currently ranked #50 on Engineering News-Record's list of the Top 500 design firms in the nation.

KCI BENEFITS INFORMATION

We offer a competitive compensation package, family friendly benefits, a collaborative working environment, and the training, mentoring and resources you need to advance in your career.

We understand that you have choices, and we know that together we will make a great team!

KCI is committed to building a diverse and inclusive staff, and we encourage women, people of color, LGBTQ+ individuals, and individuals with disabilities to apply.

KCI Technologies, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.

Duties, Responsibilities & Other

Key Technical Skills Required:

  • Power generation engineering, including conventional, renewable, distributed, and behind-the-meter generation systems.
  • Electrical power system studies including load flow, short-circuit, protective device coordination, and reliability analyses.
  • Utility-scale power plant experience across multiple project phases, including planning, design, operations, modernization, and construction support.
  • Power plant and equipment life-assessment investigations, including condition assessments, remaining-life evaluations, performance reviews, and recommendations for repair, replacement, or modernization.
  • Microgrid engineering, including distributed generation, energy storage, controls, islanding, load management, resiliency, and grid synchronization.
  • Technical and financial analysis, including economic feasibility studies, capital and operating cost evaluations, lifecycle-cost analysis, technology comparisons, and return-on-investment assessments.
  • Environmental compliance experience, including air emissions, water use and discharge, noise, fuel storage, environmental permitting, and applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Utility interconnection experience, including interconnection applications, feasibility and impact studies, utility coordination, technical requirements, protection schemes, and applicable tariffs and standards.
  • Knowledge of power generation technologies and fuels, including natural gas, hydrogen, diesel, solar, hydroelectric power, small modular nuclear reactors, energy storage, and hybrid systems.
  • Development and evaluation of generation concepts, equipment configurations, single-line diagrams, design criteria, specifications, and technical reports.
  • Experience with brownfield and greenfield projects serving industrial, commercial, government, and data center facilities.
  • Familiarity with applicable codes and standards, including IEEE, NFPA, NEC, NERC, FERC, and utility-specific requirements.
  • Ability to evaluate plant reliability, resilience, efficiency, operability, constructability, maintainability, safety, and technical risk.
  • Strong multidisciplinary coordination, technical problem-solving, client consultation, and written and verbal communication skills

Client and Project Management:

  • Support Energy Market leadership in developing and maintaining strong client relationships by monitoring project performance, identifying emerging client needs, and pursuing follow-on opportunities.
  • Assist with work-in-progress (WIP) and accounts receivable (AR) tracking, including invoice status, outstanding balances, and required follow-up.
  • Identify and communicate prospective client and project leads to leadership to support Discipline growth.
  • Serve as Quality Manager on select projects, ensuring compliance with applicable quality procedures and project-specific requirements.
  • Serve as Project Manager on select projects, with responsibilities that include:
    • Manage project scope, schedule, budget, staffing, quality, and deliverables.
    • Deliver projects on time and within budget while fully meeting the agreed-upon scope and client expectations.
    • Meet with clients at least monthly to review project progress, upcoming milestones, risks, decisions, and action items.
    • Manage projects within established corporate requirements and approved project budget parameters.
    • Prepare and submit monthly progress reports, invoices, and supporting documentation.
    • Monitor project financial performance and initiate corrective action when schedule or budget variances arise.
    • Develop and implement project-specific safety plans.
    • Ensure compliance with applicable federal, state, and local safety requirements, as well as corporate and client-specific safety procedures.

Training, Development, and Compliance:

  • Comply with all KCI policies and procedures.
  • Ensure projects fulfill Quality Management System (QMS) requirements.
  • Maintain technical proficiency through continuing education in power generation, microgrids, utility interconnection, power-system studies, and emerging energy technologies.
  • Maintain applicable professional licenses and certifications and fulfill all continuing-education requirements.
  • Complete required corporate, client, safety, ethics, cybersecurity, and regulatory training within established timeframes.
  • Mentor technical staff, share lessons learned, and support internal training and professional-development initiatives.
  • Ensure work complies with applicable laws, codes, industry standards, environmental requirements, and corporate quality and safety procedures.

Financial Management and Reporting:

  • Develop assigned contracts with scope and fees for supervisor review and signature of authorized Energy Market staff.
  • Develop and maintain project budgets, labor plans, billing schedules, and financial forecasts for assigned projects. Should be able to recognize areas where tasks can be done concurrently to optimize schedule.
  • Achieve or exceed budgeted individual utilization target (85% typical).
  • Deliver all projects on time and within budget while fully meeting the scope.
  • Prepare inter-practice work agreements (IPWA) and/or outside subcontracts as required.
  • Set-up new opportunities and provide weekly new opportunity data to supervisor and business development team.
  • Search for ways to improve efficiency while lowering project cost.

Project Execution and Technical Oversight:

  • Develop project execution plans defining technical workflows, deliverable requirements, review milestones, decision points, and discipline interfaces.
  • Establish and maintain the project basis of design, ensuring that technical decisions, assumptions, deviations, and revisions are documented throughout execution.
  • Serve as subject matter expert (SME) for assigned projects, resolving complex engineering issues and escalating matters requiring broader leadership or client direction.
  • Conduct site visits and gather data, including measurements, sketches, notes, and photographs as needed.
  • Prepare required phases of design including applicable calculations, drawings, specifications and cost estimates for approval.
  • Read and interpret technical documents required for project execution.
  • Manage discipline interfaces through interface registers, responsibility matrices, and documented handoffs to prevent scope gaps, overlaps, and conflicting design requirements.
  • Establish verification and validation requirements, including independent technical reviews, interdisciplinary checks, and closure of review comments.
  • Monitor the maturity and integration of engineering deliverables, ensuring that design inputs and outputs remain coordinated across disciplines.
  • Confirm engineering and documentation readiness for procurement, construction, system turnover, startup, and commissioning

* Essential Duties and Responsibilities are the basic job functions that an employee must be able to perform, with or without reasonable accommodation.

Qualifications

Education and/or Work Experience Required:

  • Bachelor of Science Degree in engineering
  • Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience.
  • Proven experience in planning, organizing, estimating, scheduling and monitoring engineering projects.
  • Proven experience in project management roles, with a track record of successful project delivery.
  • Strong organizational and time-management skills, with the ability to prioritize tasks and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively interact with clients, team members, and stakeholders.
  • Knowledge of industry standards and best practices related to construction management, quality assurance, and safety protocols.
  • Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and implement effective solutions in a fast-paced environment.

Education and/or Work Experience Preferred:

  • Master's Degree in engineering or MBA

Certificates, licenses, and/or Registrations Required:

  • Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.)
  • Successful completion of the KCI PM Training and Contract Training (for current employees) or ability to complete within six months (for new hires.)
Employment Type: FULL_TIME

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