Senior Water Resources Engineer

VHB•Montpelier, VT

3h•$130,000 - $150,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Senior Water Resources Engineer | Vermont Step into a role where your Hydraulics & Hydrology expertise can truly shape the future of New England's rivers, communities, and landscapes—backed by the full support of an award‑winning, multidisciplinary firm. VHB’s Water Resources group is growing across New England, and we’re looking for a Senior level Engineer who’s ready to lead, innovate, and make a visible impact locally and Regionally. If you’re a seasoned water resource engineer who values both the quality of life that Vermont offers and the opportunity to work on complex, high‑profile projects, this is an ideal moment to start a conversation with us. In this role, you’ll help clients tackle some of the most pressing water resources challenges of our time—driven by climate change, aging infrastructure, and evolving regulatory expectations. You’ll develop strategic, cost‑effective, and forward‑thinking solutions for riverine systems, ecological restoration, and resilient infrastructure. Your work will range from detailed site‑scale designs to watershed‑level planning, with a mix of public and private sector clients that keeps your portfolio diverse and engaging. You’ll be at the center of projects such as: Riverine and coastal resiliency planning and design Bridge hydraulics and scour analysis that directly influence community safety and connectivity Stream restoration and culvert replacement that restore habitat and improve flood resilience Dam rehabilitation and removal projects that balance safety, ecology, and community interests Flood mitigation and floodplain management that help communities adapt to changing conditions What makes this especially compelling is the blend of autonomy and workload, which provides the satisfaction of working locally—close to the resources, landscapes, and communities you’re helping to protect—but also being involved in the greater regional projects of a recognized New England leader in water resources. If you’re looking for the next step in your career—a chance to influence project direction, mentor talented staff, and help define how resilient water resources design is done in Vermont and across the region—we’d welcome a conversation about what this role at VHB could offer you.

Requirements

Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills
Team-oriented with strong capability to motivate others
Must demonstrate superior ability in collaborative problem solving with stakeholders, clients, and teammates
Advanced understanding of hydrologic and hydraulic modeling programs, and the ability to select and apply the appropriate approach to develop solutions to unique projects
Experience and interest in staff development and mentorship
Understanding of local, state, and federal permitting
BS in Civil/Environmental engineering or related discipline
Minimum of 11-15 years of professional water resources engineering and analysis experience required
PE license required

Responsibilities

Leading multi-disciplinary projects with hydrologic, hydraulic, and resiliency components, including interactions with staff, regulatory agencies, and clients
Conducting hydrologic, hydraulic and scour studies for riverine and coastal environments using current modeling software including HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, HydroCAD, HY-8, EPA SWMM, SRH-2D/SMS, CHAMP, and others
Using analysis to identify and design bridge and culvert replacements, dam rehabilitation and removal projects, scour protection, and flood resiliency improvements including both hardened features and nature-based solutions / living shorelines
Performing FEMA “no-rise” analyses and assisting clients with FEMA map revisions
Developing technical reports, design plans, construction documents, and specifications for water resources related projects
Leading the construction administration for water resource projects
Work with VHB’s integrated team to evaluate permit requirements and support the development of permit applications
Attend and present at meetings with clients, regulatory agencies, and stakeholders
Lead the development of project proposals, scopes of work and fee estimates
Mentoring and expanding the technical resources of our staff