Senior Structural Engineer, Hydraulic Structures

  • Full-time
  • State/Province: Colorado
  • Business Group: DCS
  • Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc
  • Business Line: Water
  • Work Location Model: Hybrid
  • Operating Group: Americas
  • Primary Location: US - Denver, CO - 7595 East Technolo
  • Compensation: USD 135000 - USD 165000 - yearly

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

AECOM’s West Region Dams and Reservoirs team is seeking an experienced Senior Structural Engineer to support complex dam and hydraulic structure projects in our Denver, CO office. This role will provide technical leadership and project delivery support for multidisciplinary water infrastructure projects, with a focus on water storage, hydropower, and dam safety programs.

The successful candidate will bring strong expertise in structural engineering for dams and hydraulic structures, experience supporting risk-informed dam safety evaluations, and the ability to contribute to client engagement, proposal development, and business development efforts within the West Water Business Line.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead structural analysis and design for concrete dams and hydraulic structures, including gravity, arch, and curved gravity dams, intake towers, spillways, and outlet works.
  • Perform and oversee advanced structural analyses, including 2D/3D finite element modeling (FEA) using tools such as ANSYS or SAP2000.
  • Prepare and review structural reports, drawings, specifications, and technical documentation for dam and hydropower projects.
  • Support and lead dam safety inspections, structural evaluations, and risk-informed dam safety assessments.
  • Participate in and facilitate Potential Failure Mode Analyses (PFMA) and other dam risk analysis workshops.
  • Serve as technical lead or project manager, managing project scope, schedule, budgets, and client communication.
  • Coordinate with multidisciplinary engineering teams to support project delivery.
  • Support proposal preparation, technical approaches, and client presentations.
  • Contribute to client engagement and business development efforts to support growth of the dams and reservoirs practice.

Qualifications

Minimum Requirements

  • Bachelor’s degree + 8 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain within 6 months.
  • Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to project sites.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Master’s degree in Structural or Civil Engineering.
  • 10+ years of experience in dam engineering or hydraulic structures.
  • Experience leading dam design, dam rehabilitation, or dam safety projects.
  • Demonstrated experience leading proposals and supporting business development efforts.
  • Experience serving as project manager or technical lead on complex infrastructure projects.
  • Experience facilitating or leading PFMA workshops or dam safety risk assessments.
  • Proficiency with engineering software such as ANSYS, SAP2000, MathCAD, AutoCAD Civil3D, and related analysis tools.
  • Strong communication skills with the ability to present complex technical concepts to clients, regulators, and technical review boards.
  • Active participation in professional organizations such as USSD or ASDSO.

Additional Information

  • No sponsorship will be offered for this role now or in the future.
  • No relocation will be offered for this role.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

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