What are the responsibilities and job description for the Senior Hydraulic Engineer - Spillway Modeling and Dam Hydraulics position at Ayres Associates?
Senior Hydraulic Engineer- Spillway Modeling & Dam Hydraulics
Remote Eligible | Reports into Madison, Wisconsin Office
Ayres is seeking a Senior Hydraulic Engineer with expertise in dam hydraulics, spillway analysis, and advanced hydraulic modeling. This role offers the opportunity to lead technically complex projects for state and federal agencies and dam owners throughout the United States while working remotely.
What You'll Do
Remote Eligible | Reports into Madison, Wisconsin Office
Ayres is seeking a Senior Hydraulic Engineer with expertise in dam hydraulics, spillway analysis, and advanced hydraulic modeling. This role offers the opportunity to lead technically complex projects for state and federal agencies and dam owners throughout the United States while working remotely.
What You'll Do
- Lead hydraulic evaluations of dams, spillways, outlet works, and flood conveyance systems.
- Develop, review, and guide advanced 1D, 2D, and 3D hydraulic models, including FLOW-3D analyses.
- Assess spillway capacity, energy dissipation, cavitation potential, scour, gate operations, and extreme flood performance.
- Prepare and review technical reports, engineering analyses, and regulatory submissions.
- Serve as a technical mentor to junior engineers and modelers.
- Support dam rehabilitation, dam safety, and hydraulic infrastructure improvement projects.
- Participate in periodic site visits and occasional travel to Ayres offices and project locations.
- Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering, Water Resources Engineering, Hydraulic Engineering, or related field.
- PE license, or ability to obtain licensure within 12 months (EIT would be required).
- 8 years of hydraulic engineering experience focused on dams, spillways, river systems, or complex hydraulic structures; OR 5 years of hydraulic engineering experience with a graduate degree and CFD focus.
- Demonstrated experience with hydraulic modeling, including CFD applications such as FLOW-3D.
- Strong technical writing, client communication, and project collaboration skills.
- Ability and willingness to perform fieldwork at dam, spillway, river, and heavy civil construction sites.
- A valid driver’s license and good driving record.
- Master's degree in a related engineering discipline.
- Experience with dam safety evaluations, extreme flood studies, and regulatory review processes.
- Experience mentoring engineers and serving as a technical resource on multidisciplinary projects.
- Demonstrated ability to verify CFD results against theory, physical-model or field data, and sensitivity testing.
- Employee-owned through our ESOP
- 401(k) with company match
- Comprehensive health, dental, vision, life, and disability coverage
- Flexible work arrangements
- Career growth and leadership opportunities