Hydraulics Engineer
Hydraulics Engineer
- Streets & Highways Group
- All Office Locations
- $80,000 - $100,000 (base salary)
- Regular Full-Time
JOB OVERVIEW
Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) has an exciting opportunity for a Hydraulics Engineer to support transportation infrastructure projects. This position is part of our highly ranked Streets & Highways Group and focuses on the hydrology and hydraulics elements of roadway projects, helping deliver practical, resilient, and permit-ready drainage solutions.
The Hydraulics Engineer will support project teams by performing hydrologic and hydraulic analyses, developing drainage designs, and preparing technical documentation under the guidance of project managers and senior engineers. The successful candidate will have a strong interest in transportation water resources and drainage design and will demonstrate self-motivation, technical proficiency, teamwork, and effective written and verbal communication skills.
Company Culture and Benefits
At RPA, our employee-owners are the cornerstone of our success. That is why we invest in you, your professional development, your community, and your future, celebrating both your work achievements and personal milestones. Our comprehensive benefits package includes:
- Generous Retirement Plan: RPA contributes to your retirement future, with no match required, starting on day one.
- 100% Employee Owned: Our Employee Stock Ownership Program (ESOP) provides you with direct ownership in the company, aligning your success with ours.
- Competitive Salary and Bonuses: Enjoy a rewarding compensation structure including competitive base salary and company-wide bonus program.
- Flexible Work Environment: We support work-life balance with excellent leave policies, flexible schedules, and paid time over 40 hours per week.
- Professional Growth: We support and encourage professional development and involvement in civic/professional organizations and provide ample opportunity for career growth within RPA.
Additional details about our benefits can be found on our RPA Advantage Page.
What to Expect in this POsition
As a Hydraulics Engineer, you will work closely with roadway designers and project managers to deliver hydrology and hydraulics analyses and designs for projects ranging from rural highways to urban streets and interchanges.
Responsibilities may include:
- Hydrology & Hydraulics Analysis and Design: Perform hydrologic and hydraulic analyses and design transportation drainage systems including storm sewer, culverts, water quality BMPs, pipe hydraulics, channel and ditch hydraulics, bridge hydraulics and scour support, and floodplain evaluations, as required by project scope.
- Drainage Plans and Design Details: Prepare drainage exhibits, quantities, and design details that integrate with roadway geometry, constructability considerations, and overall project constraints.
- Criteria Compliance and Documentation: Develop calculations, reports, and design documentation; coordinate internal reviews; and address comments to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local design criteria.
Field and Site Reviews: Participate in site reviews and field studies to validate assumptions and ensure designs align with real-world conditions and applicable specifications. - Project Coordination: Collaborate with project managers and multidisciplinary team members and coordinate with clients and agencies, as assigned and under the direction of the project manager, to resolve drainage issues and support permitting efforts.
- Reports and Technical Deliverables: Prepare clear and concise reports, memoranda, and calculation packages to support design decisions, reviews, and approvals.
- Quality and Team Support: Participate in internal QA/QC processes and support EITs or junior staff through collaboration and task coordination, consistent with experience level.
Qualifications
The individual qualities RPA values include self-motivation, sound judgment, initiative, and the ability to communicate and collaborate effectively. We will consider applicants with varied experience levels but are most interested in candidates with strong technical knowledge in transportation-related hydrology and hydraulics.
Desired qualifications include:
- Education and Licensure: Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering (or related field) with a Professional Engineer (PE) license in Montana, or the ability to obtain licensure within six (6) months of hire.
- Experience: Four (4) to eight (8) years of relevant hydrology and hydraulics experience, with transportation or roadway drainage experience preferred. Experience on projects for the Montana Department of Transportation (MDT) and/or Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is desirable.
- Technical Proficiency: Experience with common hydrologic and hydraulic analysis tools such as HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, HY-8, SSA, and/or comparable software. Familiarity with CADD platforms including Civil 3D and/or MicroStation/OpenRoads, as well as ArcGIS, is a plus.
- Professional Attributes: Strong attention to detail; effective technical writing and verbal communication skills; and a collaborative, team-oriented approach to project delivery.
About RPA
Robert Peccia & Associates (RPA) is a distinguished, 100% employee-owned civil engineering, planning, and land surveying firm headquartered in Montana. Established in 1978, we are renowned for our personalized service and commitment to designing practical and sustainable solutions for our clients.
We champion an open leadership style based on mutual trust, empowering our team members to influence the future of RPA. Our commitment to a collaborative culture has fostered consistent growth and one of the lowest staff turnover rates in the industry. At RPA, our core values—listening, respect, integrity, empowerment, teamwork, and social responsibility—drive our success and shape our dynamic work environment.
Our Locations
Recruiting and retaining people who complement our company culture is a top priority at RPA. We provide services from well-established and connected offices at key locations across Montana. With hiking, skiing, biking, hunting, fishing, arts, theatre, and more right out our back door, each office offers easy access to the things that make Big Sky Country so unique.
- Helena: Our corporate headquarters offers access to award-winning trail systems and a lively downtown community.
- Kalispell: Located between mountain ranges and ski hills, with Glacier National Park nearby.
- Bozeman: Renowned for its quality of life, cultural offerings, and proximity to Yellowstone National Park.
- Missoula: Known for its university community, trail and river access, as well as a strong arts and music scene.
- Anaconda: Offering small-town character and outdoor recreation, this historic community is near the Pintler Mountains.
Whether you seek adventure in the backcountry or prefer the serenity of nature, RPA offers the flexibility to balance your career and personal passions.
APPLY TODAY
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