Senior Hydropower Consultant

Schnabel is an employee-owned, professional engineering and consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in geotechnical, geostructural, tunnel, and dam engineering. Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities in which we live are a vital part of who we are. Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm with 700 employees in 31 offices throughout the United States.

Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package including maternity leave, tuition reimbursement for continuing education, health, dental, life and disability insurance and a wellness program. As an employee-owned company, through the Employee Stock Ownership Plan, Schnabel employees directly benefit from the success of our growing firm.

Benefit Options Include

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
• Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
• Long-term disability
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
• Bonus program
• Paid time off
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Wellness program
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement
  
  

Job Description

Schnabel Engineering is seeking a Senior Hydropower Consultant to support and grow our Hydropower Generation Practice. This position may be based in any Schnabel office nationwide or remote, depending on candidate qualifications and location.

Position Summary

The Senior Hydropower Consultant is a technical and strategic leader within Schnabel’s Hydropower Generation Practice. This role combines deep technical expertise in hydropower generation systems with leadership responsibility for strengthening and growing the hydropower practice, including supporting strategic service development, client engagement, and staff development and mentorship. The position is well suited for an experienced professional who is motivated to shape the growth, reputation, and technical excellence of a national hydropower consulting practice.

Job Responsibilities

Practice Leadership and Strategy

• Refine and execute the strategic vision and growth plan for Schnabel’s Hydropower Generation Practice, aligning with firm‑wide goals and market opportunities.
• Contribute to the development of internal standards, best practices, tools, and continuous improvement initiatives related to hydropower generation engineering.
  
  

Business Development and Client Engagement

• Lead business development efforts, including opportunity identification, pursuit strategy, proposal development, and client presentations.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with owners, utilities, regulators, and other key stakeholders.
• Represent Schnabel at industry conferences, professional organizations, and client or stakeholder meetings.
  
  

Technical Leadership and Project Support

• Serve as a senior technical advisor and reviewer for hydropower generation projects, including design reports, engineering analyses, drawings, specifications, and technical memoranda.
• Provide expert consultation on hydropower generation upgrades, modernization efforts, repairs, and facility modifications.
• Collaborate with project managers and technical teams to establish project goals, allocate resources, and ensure delivery of high‑quality work products on schedule and within budget.
• Provide support to owners, contractors, engineers, and other stakeholders during the construction of hydropower projects.
  
  

Mentorship and Talent Development

• Provide internal consultation related to recruitment, onboarding, professional development, and mentorship of engineering staff within the hydropower practice.
• Serve as a technical mentor and trusted resource for project teams across offices.
  
  

Travel

• Expect travel for client meetings, project site visits, conferences, and business development activities.
  
  

Required Skills/Experience

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, or related field, from an ABET‑accredited institution.
• Twenty (20) or more years of progressive engineering and engineering management experience directly related to hydropower generation systems, including design, upgrades, rehabilitation, and modernization of hydropower facilities.
• Demonstrated experience in business development, engineering management, and project management within the hydropower industry.
• Recognized technical expertise in hydropower generation components and systems.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with clients, regulators, and internal teams.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary, geographically distributed teams.
• Strong professional work ethic and commitment to technical excellence and client service.
  
  

Other Requirements

• Ability to successfully pass a background check, which may include criminal history, motor vehicle record, and credit check.
• Ability to pass a pre‑employment drug screening.
  
  

The compensation range for this position is between $200,000 to $250,000. Compensation for this position may vary based on geographic location and other factors. We remain committed to providing competitive and equitable compensation to all employees, regardless of their location.