Hydropower Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

The Opportunity: 

Tetra Tech's National Water Group is seeking a U.S. Hydropower Growth Leader to help expand and shape our hydropower and dam practice across the United States. This position offers hybrid work flexibility from our Fairfax, VA office or any Tetra Tech office nationwide.

Why Tetra Tech: 

At Tetra Tech, we areLeading with Scienceto solve the world's most complex challenges.Our industry-leading experts in engineering and consulting are committed to driving positive change in communities around the world.For 60 years, we have been at the forefront of innovation and sustainability.Today we stand as a market leader, offering cutting-edge solutions in water, environment, energy, and international development.Our science-based planning and design improves lives in our local communities and around the world.

Your Impact: 

As the U.S. Hydropower Growth Leader, you will serve as a trusted advisor to clients and internal teams alike. You will help define market strategy, strengthen client relationships, and guide the delivery of technically complex projects that support the future of hydropower in the United States. Your leadership will directly influence the growth of the Water Group's hydropower practice, the success of major pursuits, and the quality of delivery across our regional and national teams.

Position Summary: 

We're looking for an experienced U.S. Hydropower Growth Leader with a keen knowledge of markets, trends and clients to lead and grow the U.S. hydropower and dam sector, with emphasis on FERC licensing, facility modernization, and earlyphase hydropower development. This leader will be a clientfacing, senior technical and market leader who leverages deep industry knowledge, regulatory expertise, and national client relationships to expand Tetra Tech's hydropower practice while strengthening integration with our established dam and reservoir program. Key attributes of this leader include: 

• 20+ years of dam and hydropower industry technical and leadership experience with a keen understanding of FERC licensing and fish-passage related projects. 

• Established reputation in the industry through participation in the National Hydropower Association, US Society on Dams, Association of State Dam Safety Officials, or related industry organizations. 

• Ability to scan power and water-related markets and to develop and implement a robust market strategy. 

• Agile to respond to market drivers including funding mechanisms, tax incentives and permitting requirements to provide an enhanced customer offering.   

• Proven ability to deliver projects and foster collaboration across geographies, disciplines, and business lines. 

The position emphasizes market entry and growth, client development, and technical credibility, particularly in FERCregulated hydropower projects and multioffice delivery models.

Essential Job Functions: 

The following duties are considered essential to the role. Reasonable accommodation may be provided to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these essential functions: 

• Lead client engagement and serve as primary relationship manager for key hydropower and dam clients, converting industry relationships into repeat work and new awards across conventional hydropower and pumped storage markets. 

• Drive opportunities, shape pursuit strategies based on trends and funding mechanisms, define technical approaches, assemble best-in-firm teams, and represent Tetra Tech's technical credibility with developers, utilities, and public owners. 

• Provide program level leadership for feasibility studies, site screening, FERC licensing support, conceptual design, permitting, and early development services for hydropower and pumped storage projects. 

• Serve as senior technical reviewer and advisor on hydropower and dam projects, ensuring alignment with regulatory requirements, industry standards, and client expectations. 

• Coordinate and integrate multidisciplinary delivery teams across geographies and business lines, including dams, geotechnical, environmental, water quality, transmission, and fish passage. 

• Serve as Program Manager or Technical Lead on select major projects, with responsibility for scope, budget, schedule, and technical risk.  

• Support relationships with key clients of interest, including Public Utility Districts (PUDs) throughout the Northwest, the Tennessee Valley Authority; and clients with pumped storage hydropower (PSH) opportunities.

Required Qualifications: 

• Bachelor's degree (Master's preferred) in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related field. 

• A minimum of 20+ years of experience in hydropower and/or dam engineering, including significant leadership responsibility in technical delivery, client development, or program management roles. 

• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.  

• Demonstrated expertise in FERC licensing, hydropower permitting, and coordination with environmental review processes. 

• Proven capability leading early phase hydropower development, including feasibility studies, site screening, conceptual design, cost estimating, and licensing support. 

• Strong record of building and sustaining client relationships with utilities, public utility districts, power authorities, and public agencies. 

• Demonstrated success leading cross disciplinary, multi office teams and delivering complex infrastructure projects profitably. 

• Knowledge of hydropower facility systems (e.g., turbines, gates, balance of plant, powerhouses) sufficient to guide integrated engineering teams.  

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the firm at executive, regulatory, and industry association levels.

Physical Requirements: 

• Willingness to travel nationally to support client development, site visits, and project delivery. 

• Ability to work effectively in a hybrid or flexible work environment.  

• Manual dexterity to use a computer mouse, keyboard, and peripheral equipment. 

• The ability to sit at a workstation for prolonged periods of time. 

• Ability to communicate effectively verbally and via electronic means.

Additional Information:

• This position offers hybrid work flexibility from any Tetra Tech office in the United States, with preference for candidates located in Denver, CO; Madison, WI; Chicago, IL; Nashville, TN; Chattanooga, TN; Raleigh, NC; Charlotte, NC; Fairfax, VA; Boston, MA; Atlanta, GA; Sacramento, CA; Irvine, CA; Seattle, WA; Bellevue, WA; or Portland, OR. 

• This is a full-time position typically scheduled Monday through Friday; however, additional hours may be required to meet company and program needs. 

The salary range for this position is approximately $190,000 to $260,000. Compensation may vary and offers will be determined based on a combination of an individual's experience, skill set, certifications, and educational background.