Water Resources Engineer - Floodplain Modeling

Overview

Location(s): Southern CaliforniaPractice/Department: EngineeringWork Environment: HybridCompensation: $100,000-$130,000 annually*

Dudek’s journey began in 1980 with a vision to serve Southern California’s water and wastewater agencies. 

Today, we are a 100% employee-owned firm supporting clients nationwide and delivering projects that improve and protect the built and natural environments of communities throughout the United States. Our work has been recognized by leading industry organizations, and we’ve been honored with multiple national Top Workplace Awards. 

Our employee-owners are unified by a singular commitment to supporting projects that address key societal issues, such as the transition to renewable energy, infrastructure hardening and repair, environmental protection, and community resilience. 

Learn more about our award-winning culture, the benefits and perks of being a Dudekian, and the projects you will have the opportunity to shape.  

Position Overview

Who You Are 

As an employee-owner, you embrace accountability, working safely, and collaboration while thinking resourcefully and independently. 

Like all Dudekians, you are curious and solution-oriented, with the ability to adapt quickly to changes and approach challenges with a spirit of innovation.  

How You’ll Make an Impact 

As a Water Resources Engineer, you will provide planning, analysis, and design support for flood mitigation, stream restoration, culvert replacement, and stormwater capture projects serving public agency clients throughout California. This role emphasizes riverine hydraulics, floodplain analysis, channel restoration, and fish passage design, supporting projects that improve watershed resilience and environmental outcomes.

The ideal candidate is an EIT or California Professional Engineer with a strong technical foundation in surface water hydrology and hydraulic modeling, and the ability to independently execute technical assignments with minimal oversight. In this role, you will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, contribute technical expertise related to hydrologic and hydraulic modeling, support regulatory compliance efforts, and help ensure successful project delivery through quality control, budget awareness, and client coordination.

Duties and Responsibilities  

Engineering Design and Analysis

• Perform hydrology and hydraulics calculations and modeling using HEC-RAS (1D/2D), HEC-HMS, and SRH-2D to support floodplain, channel restoration, and drainage designs.
• Conduct sediment transport, scour, and steep channel analyses, including probabilistic design approaches for grade control structures and pipe crossing protection.
• Develop and refine engineering plans, specifications, technical memoranda, and design reports for restoration, fish passage, and flood mitigation projects.
• Support FEMA floodplain analyses (Zone AE mapping, LOMR/CLOMR) and prepare regulatory submittal packages.
• Performs advanced hydrologic and hydraulic calculations, modeling, and simulations to support floodplain modeling and stormwater system design.
• Develops and produces creek restoration design plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
• Prepares and reviews technical reports, drainage studies, and stormwater documentation.
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• Reviews and optimizes layouts, drainage systems, and material specifications for efficiency and constructability.

Project Management and Coordination

• Manages project phases or technical workstreams, ensuring alignment with scope, budget, and schedule.
• Coordinates with internal teams, field staff, clients, and regulatory agencies to meet project objectives.
• Supports project managers in tracking deliverables, budgets, and resource allocation.
• Monitors progress of assigned work to meet financial targets and performance expectations.

Technical Leadership and Support

• Serves as a subject matter expert in open channel hydraulic analysis, including floodplain design, creek restoration, and regulatory compliance.
• Provides technical oversight and guidance during hydrology and hydraulics analysis and design development.
• Reviews work of junior engineers and provides mentorship, training, and constructive feedback.
• Supports technical excellence by promoting best practices and sound engineering judgment.

Quality Control and Compliance

• Conducts quality assurance and quality control reviews on plans, reports, and deliverables.
• Ensures compliance with applicable codes, standards, and regulations, including NPDES requirements.
• Identifies technical challenges and develops effective, innovative solutions.
• Promotes adherence to safety protocols and project standards across project teams.

Collaboration and Communication

• Acts as a liaison between technical teams, project managers, clients, and external stakeholders.
• Maintains strong working relationships to support effective collaboration and communication.
• Presents technical findings, design concepts, and project updates to stakeholders.
• Contributes to a positive team environment and supports cross-disciplinary coordination.

Professional Development and Innovation

• Stays current with stormwater regulations, emerging technologies, and industry trends.
• Identifies opportunities to improve processes, tools, and engineering efficiencies.
• Supports business development efforts through proposals, technical input, and client engagement.
• Participates in professional organizations, training, and industry events.

Minimum Qualifications 

• Experience: 6+ years of experience in stormwater engineering, with strong expertise in hydrology and open channel hydraulic analyses.
• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering.
• Licensure: Registered Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of California or ability to obtain.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Proficiency with engineering software such as AutoCAD/Civil 3D, ArcGIS, HEC-RAS, HEC-HMS, SWMM, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with FEMA NFIP and floodplain analyses (CLOMR, LOMR, No-Rise)
• Strong technical writing, analytical, and problem-solving skills.
• Experience with 1D and 2D floodplain modeling, flood mitigation and stream restoration design, fluvial geomorphology principles, process-based restoration, fish passage design, sediment transport principles and analysis, drainage analysis, and/or grading design.
• Familiarity with Southern California hydrology manuals, hydraulic manuals, and methodologies.
• Familiarity with California municipal, industrial, and construction NPDES programs.
• Experience managing project components, budgets, and schedules.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor staff and contribute to team development.
• Experience supporting proposals, client relationships, and business development efforts.

Compensation: $100,000-$130,000 annually* 

*Final agreed-upon compensation will be based on a variety of factors including, but not limited to, an individual’s related experience, education, certifications, skills, and work location. Successful candidates must pass a pre-employment drug test and background check prior to beginning employment. 

Working Conditions  

• This job operates in a remote or office-based environment and this role routinely uses standard office equipment such as computers, phones, printers, etc. 

• This job requires occasional project site visits, based outdoors which can include excessive noise, uneven walking surfaces, extreme weather, and moving vehicles and equipment. 

Physical Requirements 

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of the job. This job requires the following:  

• Working on a computer, sitting, or standing for long periods of time in an office or remote office setting. 

• Attending meetings, both in person and virtually, and speaking on the phone with peers, clients, etc.  
• Specific vision abilities, including close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus. 

Connect with us! 

💼LinkedIn 

📸Instagram 

▶️YouTube 

🤝Dudek Talent Community 

Dudek is committed to creating a workplace where all employees, regardless of their background, feel valued, respected, and have equal opportunities to succeed. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workforce is essential to our business success, and we are dedicated to fostering a culture where everyone can thrive. We are committed to fair and equitable processes, based on merit, free from any discrimination. 

Dudek is genuinely committed to equal employment opportunities within our company and on our project teams. Dudek is also committed to compliance with all applicable laws providing equal employment opportunities. This commitment applies to all persons involved in Dudek’s operations and prohibits unlawful discrimination by any employee of Dudek, including supervisors and coworkers. Equal employment opportunities will be extended to all persons (including those with disability and veteran status) in all aspects of the employment relationship, including recruitment, hiring, training, promotion, transfer, compensation, benefits, discipline, layoff, recall, and termination. Any employee who violates this policy and Dudek’s commitment to equal employment opportunities will be subject to disciplinary action. 

Dudek is a U.S.-based employer. All positions are based in the United States and require U.S. work authorization.  

Compensation: 100000 to 130000 (USD)