National Technical Specialist – Dams, Levees, Hydraulic Structures, & Coastal Infrastructure
Freese and Nichols, Inc. (FNI) is seeking a senior technical leader to help shape and strengthen our national Water Resources Design (WRD) practice in dams, levees, hydraulic structures, coastal infrastructure, and related appurtenances. This role provides a firmwide technical platform for a recognized specialist who wants to influence complex, high-consequence projects; advance practice standards; mentor the next generation of technical leaders; support strategic pursuits; and represent FNI in national technical forums.
The National Technical Specialist (NTS) reports to the Water Resources Design National Technical Leader and may be based in any FNI office. The role is intended for a professional who is deeply technical, collaborative, and motivated by solving difficult engineering problems while elevating the quality, consistency, and reputation of FNI’s work. The NTS will serve as a trusted technical resource across regions and project teams, helping FNI deliver solutions that are technically sound, constructible, risk-informed, and responsive to clients, regulators, and communities.
Technical areas extensively used in the practice include civil engineering, structural engineering, geotechnical engineering, hydraulics engineering, coastal/ocean engineering, numerical modeling, risk-informed decision making (RIDM), risk-informed design (RID), construction document preparation, and construction management. Strong candidates will bring recognized expertise in two or more of these areas and the ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines.
Key responsibilities and expectations for this role include:
Technical leadership: Serve as a senior technical advisor, technical lead, or quality reviewer on complex water resources design assignments, including high-hazard dams, levees, flood risk reduction systems, spillways, outlet works, hydraulic structures, canals, coastal structures, bank protection, and related appurtenances.
Risk-informed analysis and design: Provide technical leadership for risk assessments, PFMA facilitation or support, alternatives evaluations, dam and levee safety studies, constructability reviews, and design decisions where life safety, regulatory compliance, performance, cost, schedule and long-term operations must be balanced.
Quality and technical delivery: Support practice-wide quality by developing and applying standards, tools, review processes, lessons learned, and technical guidance. Serve as a senior reviewer or advisor for high-risk or strategically important deliverables.
Mentorship and technical staff development: Mentor engineers and technical professionals across offices and regions. Support training, technical excellence organizations, and technical committees to develop future technical leaders, senior advisors, QC reviewers, and subject matter expert.
Strategic pursuits and client support: Support strategic pursuits through technical approach development, senior review of proposals, interview preparation, technical team selection, and client-facing technical strategy. Help position FNI for work that advances the WRD practice's technical reputation and long-term client relationships.
Industry leadership and external recognition: Represent FNI through technical societies, committees, conference presentations, papers, publications, peer reviews, and award submittals.
Practice advancement and innovation: Identify technical gaps, emerging methods, regulatory changes, and opportunities for R&D, innovation, improved workflows, and cross-practice collaboration.
Bachelor’s degree in engineering
Master’s degree (or equivalent experience) preferred
Professional Engineer in state of residence required with the ability to obtain in other states where the practice operates within 6 months of hire date
15+ years of experience (preferred) with recognized expertise in area of specialization with ability to lead others, deliver complex projects, and develop technical approaches for proposals
Recognized expert in areas of specialization within the practice
Active in industry organizations within area of specialization, holding leadership position(s) within industry organizations preferred
Demonstrated recognition nationally via active engagement in professional organizations
At the heart of our culture is our LEADS values (Learn continuously, Engage as family, Act with integrity, Deliver quality, and Serve always). Each year, our employee engagement survey confirms that our leaders and our employees live our values.
We strive to be the firm of choice for clients and employees through innovative approaches, practical results, and outstanding service. For more than 130 years, we have been planning and designing the infrastructure our communities need: developing water supplies, designing roadways and bridges, preparing for natural disasters, and much more.
Besides our comprehensive benefits package (see more at Benefits That Work for You), we offer paid overtime for salaried employees, an annual bonus, and access to company cabins in Red River, New Mexico and Banner Elk, North Carolina. We are proud of our flexible work environment which includes a hybrid schedule with up to 40% of remote work, and an alternative work schedule program which provides a day off every other Friday.
Join our team of 1,300+ employees as we grow from Virginia to Colorado. Learn more about working here at Working at Freese and Nichols.
Freese and Nichols is firmly committed to Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and prohibits employment discrimination for employees and applicants based upon race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws.
#LI-HybridSkills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering
- Professional Engineer license in state of residence
- 15+ years of experience in engineering
- Master's degree or equivalent experience preferred
What We Do
Freese and Nichols, Inc. is a professional planning, consulting and engineering firm serving clients across the Southwest and Southeast United States. With client service and continuous improvement in mind, Freese and Nichols plans, designs and manages sustainable water and infrastructure projects. It is the first engineering/architecture firm to receive the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award.
