Principal Dam/Structural Engineer

Schnabel Engineering is an employee-owned, professional consulting firm that focuses on solving problems related to the earth and environment through specialization in dam, geotechnical, geostructural, and tunnel engineering.  Schnabel’s high standards for quality, business ethics, and concern for the communities they live in, and support are a vital part of who we are and what we offer.  Founded in 1956, Schnabel has experienced tremendous success and growth through its dedication to excellence in client service, high quality, and value-added solutions.  Schnabel is an ENR Top 500 Design Firm and Top 10 Dams and Reservoirs Design Firm with over 600+ employees in 28 offices throughout the United States.

Recognized by CE News as one of the Best Engineering Firms to Work for, Schnabel provides employees with a competitive benefits package, including health, dental, life and disability. Engagement in Schnabel’s wellness program offers incentives for employees to pursue a healthy lifestyle, and the firm rewards employees through its Employee Stock Ownership Plan.

Benefit options include:

• Medical insurance
• Dental insurance
• Flexible spending accounts
• Employee life & ADD insurance (100% company-paid)
• Short-term disability (100% company-paid)
• Long-term disability
• Supplemental life insurance
• 401(k) and profit-sharing plan
• Employee stock ownership plan (ESOP)
• Bonus program
• Paid time off
• 9 Paid Holidays
• Wellness program
• Professional development and tuition reimbursement

Job Description:

Are you looking for interesting and meaningful work, a fun atmosphere, and opportunities to learn, grow, and excel? If so, then welcome to Schnabel! We approach problems with creativity and innovation.  The Denver (Lakewood), Colorado office is seeking a Principal Dam/Structural Engineer with civil and structural engineering expertise related to dams, water resources projects, civil works projects, and the application of risk informed decision-making procedures.  The successful candidate will support our growing Denver office and projects throughout the U.S., working with collaborative multi-disciplinary teams. 

The Denver office of Schnabel focuses on the evaluation and design of dams, water resource studies, hydraulic structures, civil works facilities, as well as advancing our practice of risk informed decision making within our dam engineering group. Example projects include the inspection, evaluation and design of new and rehabilitated embankment and concrete dams, spillways, outlet works, and related structures for dam owners located across the U.S.   

Job Responsibilities:

Perform the following dam engineering tasks:

• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and/or senior reviewer by providing structural and dam engineering expertise and technical oversight related to structural aspects of projects with varying size and complexity.
• Collaborate with peers in offices across the U.S. and across various technical disciplines to achieve project goals. Other disciplines may include geotechnical, civil, structural, hydraulic, and mechanical engineers, and geologists, environmental scientists, and construction personnel.
• Provide analysis/design guidance and review of design calculations, engineering analyses, and technical reports.
• Participate in Comprehensive Safety Reviews, FERC Part12D Inspections, and technical review boards (Board of Consultants) for existing dam and hydropower facilities.
• Conduct potential failure mode analyses and risk analyses for dam and levee projects, including identifying and developing potential structural failure modes, and serving as a technical expert in risk analysis workshops.
• Help lead our Structural and Mechanical Engineering Community of Practice by serving as a senior technical advisor, trainer, and mentor to junior engineers.
• Participate in key professional organizations events for continued learning and networking opportunities, but also to serve on technical committees (e.g., USSD, ASDSO).
• Support the development of engineering proposals and qualification statements.

Required Skills/Experience:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Civil Engineering with at least 25 years of professional experience.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (P.E.) or Professional Structural Engineer (S.E.).
• Demonstrated expertise and experience related to complex structural modeling software, such as LSDYNA and ANSYS.
• Experience and knowledge of applicable state and federal dam safety design methodologies, policies and regulations, including USACE design standards, U.S. Bureau of Reclamation design standards, FERC guidelines, e