Senior Mechanical Engineer-Hydropower Gates and Locks Specialist

Why Black and Veatch

Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity’s biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. We offer competitive compensation; 401K match and benefits that start day 1.

Our hybrid environment allows you to balance your work and personal life. At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use.

The Opportunity

In this role you will have the opportunity to lead, design, and manage new and upgraded projects on hydropower systems that may include:   

• Conceptual studies of mechanical equipment related to hydraulic structures, including condition assessments, hydraulic evaluations, & calculations  
• Design of gates for Dams or water conveyance projects, including radial (tainter), drum, crest, and roller gates
• Large valves for Dam outlets and emergency shutoff of conveyance; In-stream flow (IFR) valves   
• Gate hosts and actuation systems with custom-designed gearing
• Sector gates and tow haulage for Locks & Dams
• Fluid power actuation systems, including oil and oil-alternatives
• Penstock and associated piping
• Deicing systems such as bubblers
• Intake screens and trash rakes
• Gantry and Jib Cranes

The role also involves dam safety inspections related to mechanical equipment and providing input for risk assessment. You may also support hydro turbine unit upgrades and powerhouse balance of plant systems.

The Team

Black & Veatch has delivered hydropower solutions worldwide for more than 40 years. We’ve produced results on nearly 500 projects and more than 50,000 megawatts in hydropower design. A track record like that can only be achieved by delivering quality results while meeting budgets and schedules. That formula helps us meet the goal we share with all clients – maximum return on their infrastructure investment.  We’re committed to finding clean, green power alternatives. Our expertise ranges from studies and valuations to optimizing existing operations. We can handle full services for facilities that range from the smallest to the largest in capacity. At the front end, clients rely on us to conduct thorough studies involving overall project management. We provide the full range of design services and construction support, and we ensure that the end product is a model of operating efficiency. Check out our projects HERE !

Key Responsibilities

• Continues developing knowledge and may provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. Provides technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
• Prepares specifications and drawings for complex engineering deliverables for challenging projects.
• Capable of performing complex research and analysis leading to recommendations for potential solutions. May oversee collection, assimilation, and evaluation of condition data for engineering work. Independently applies advanced engineering techniques and analysis methods. Applies knowledge of standard methods and industry codes.
• Manages assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Actively delegates appropriate tasks to lower level team members and reviews their work. Is responsible for one or more of the following: leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for a project.
• Responsible for identifying and communicating key client interests and drivers to project team members and developing approaches. Provides support to business development or pursuit activities.
• Recognized as a technical specialist and has knowledge and skill set to provide consultation and guidance to project teams in a particular practice area.
• May be accountable for some administrative responsibilities that include but aren't limited to:
• Ensuring policies, procedures and processes are effectively implemented and communicated for work group.
• Ensuring adherence to corporate and division programs.
• Complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing
• 25+ years of mechanical or systems engineering experience related to locks, dams or water conveyance facilities
• Experience in finite element analysis (FEA)
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) license
• Previous experience in a client facing role

Minimum Qualifications

Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing or equivalent experience in Engineering work. Minimum of 11 years related work experience. All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Holds an active engineering registration or licensure to support engineer of record (EOR) requirements for BV projects in applicable countries, and supports where necessary.

Certifications

Holds an active engineering registration or licensure to support engineer of record (EOR) requirements for BV projects in applicable countries, and supports where necessary.

Work Environment/Physical Demands

• This position would require working in a typical office environment. The position may entail prolonged periods of sitting and computer use, and the professional would ideally be able to maintain focus and attention to detail throughout the workday. The position may also be require physical tasks during site visits, including crouching, grasping, and standing/walking for extended periods of time.
• Ability to travel 10% of the time.
• Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.

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