Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Hydrosystems Engineer

🎯 Role Definition

A Hydrosystems Engineer is a specialized professional at the intersection of civil and environmental engineering, dedicated to the analysis, design, and management of water-related systems. This role is crucial for managing our most vital resource—water. You will be responsible for tackling complex challenges such as flood control, stormwater management, water supply, and ecosystem restoration. Your work directly contributes to the safety, sustainability, and resilience of communities and natural environments by applying advanced hydraulic and hydrologic principles to design and maintain critical water infrastructure. This is a role for a technical expert and a creative problem-solver who is passionate about creating a sustainable relationship between the built and natural world.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

Graduate Civil or Environmental Engineer
Junior Water Resources Engineer
GIS Technician with a focus on hydrology

Advancement To:

Senior Hydrosystems Engineer / Senior Water Resources Engineer
Project Manager (Water Infrastructure)
Water Resources Department Manager / Principal Engineer

Lateral Moves:

Environmental Policy Advisor
Urban & Regional Planner (with a water focus)
Climate Adaptation Specialist

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

Develop, calibrate, and apply sophisticated one-dimensional (1D) and two-dimensional (2D) hydraulic and hydrologic models to analyze river systems, urban drainage, and coastal processes using software like HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, and SWMM.
Design comprehensive stormwater management solutions, including detention/retention basins, green infrastructure (e.g., bioswales, permeable pavements), and low-impact development (LID) techniques to mitigate runoff and improve water quality.
Conduct detailed floodplain and floodway analyses, prepare Letter of Map Revision (LOMR) and Conditional Letter of Map Revision (CLOMR) applications for submission to FEMA, and delineate flood hazard areas.
Prepare complete and detailed engineering design plans, construction specifications, and cost estimates for a variety of water infrastructure projects such as culverts, bridges, storm sewers, and channel modifications.
Analyze and design stable channel restorations, bank stabilization measures, and erosion and sediment control plans to protect infrastructure and restore natural stream functions.
Perform hydraulic analysis and design for transportation-related projects, ensuring that bridges and culverts are sized appropriately to handle design flood events without adverse impacts.
Evaluate and design water distribution networks and wastewater/sanitary sewer collection systems, analyzing system capacity, pressure zones, and potential for inflow and infiltration.
Conduct dam breach analyses and prepare Emergency Action Plans (EAPs), performing dam safety inspections and hydrologic/hydraulic assessments for dam rehabilitation or removal projects.
Prepare high-quality technical reports, memoranda, and presentations to clearly communicate complex engineering analyses, findings, and recommendations to clients, regulatory agencies, and the public.
Utilize Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for spatial analysis, data management, and mapping in support of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling and watershed planning.
Manage project tasks, schedules, and budgets to ensure timely and profitable completion of projects while maintaining high standards of quality and client satisfaction.
Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and technical staff, reviewing their work for accuracy and completeness.
Ensure all designs and reports are in full compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, including the Clean Water Act, NPDES permits, and local stormwater ordinances.
Perform field investigations and data collection, including stream assessments, infrastructure inspections, and topographic surveying support, to inform engineering designs.
Engage with clients to understand their needs, define project scopes, and maintain strong professional relationships throughout the project lifecycle.
Support the preparation of competitive proposals and statements of qualifications for new business opportunities.
Analyze the hydraulic performance of closed-conduit systems, including pump stations and force mains, to ensure efficient and reliable operation.
Assess climate change impacts on water resources, incorporating future climate projections into hydrologic and hydraulic models to design more resilient infrastructure.
Develop and review surface water availability models and water rights analyses to support water supply planning and permitting.
Participate in public meetings and stakeholder workshops to present project details and gather community input.

Secondary Functions

Support ad-hoc data requests and exploratory data analysis to inform project direction.
Contribute to the organization's internal technical standards, data strategy, and best practices roadmap.
Collaborate with cross-functional teams, including structural engineers, environmental scientists, and planners, to deliver integrated project solutions.
Participate in sprint planning and agile ceremonies within project teams to drive efficient execution.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

Hydrologic & Hydraulic Modeling: Expert proficiency in industry-standard software such as HEC-RAS (1D/2D), HEC-HMS, EPA SWMM, HydroCAD, and similar modeling platforms.
GIS Software: Strong capability in using ArcGIS Pro, ArcMap, or QGIS for watershed delineation, data processing, and creating compelling cartographic outputs.
CAD Design: Competency with AutoCAD Civil 3D for preparing construction plans, grading, and designing utility networks.
Stormwater Design: In-depth knowledge of designing green and gray stormwater infrastructure, including detention/retention systems and Low Impact Development (LID) practices.
Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with federal and state environmental regulations, including FEMA flood mapping standards, NPDES, and the Clean Water Act.
Data Analysis: Ability to process and analyze large datasets, including streamflow, precipitation, and topographic data, using tools like Excel, Python, or R.

Soft Skills

Analytical Problem-Solving: A natural ability to deconstruct complex water-related problems, evaluate multiple solutions, and make sound, data-driven engineering judgments.
Technical Communication: Exceptional skill in translating complex technical information into clear, concise reports and presentations for both technical and non-technical audiences.
Project Management: Strong organizational skills to manage multiple project tasks simultaneously, track budgets and schedules, and deliver results on time.
Collaborative Teamwork: A proactive and cooperative attitude, with the ability to work effectively within multidisciplinary teams and contribute to a positive team environment.
Attention to Detail: Meticulous approach to design calculations, plan preparation, and quality control to ensure accuracy and excellence in all deliverables.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from an ABET-accredited program.

Preferred Education:

Master of Science (M.S.) degree with a specialization in Water Resources Engineering, Hydraulics, or Hydrology.

Relevant Fields of Study:

Civil Engineering
Environmental Engineering
Water Resources Engineering
Agricultural Engineering (with a water focus)

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range:

2 to 10+ years of progressive, post-graduate experience in water resources engineering, hydraulic/hydrologic modeling, and infrastructure design.

Preferred:

Possession of a Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
Certification as a Certified Floodplain Manager (CFM).
Direct experience leading tasks and mentoring junior staff on complex water resources projects.