Principal Engineer Lead, Hydrology

Type of position: Regular

Your future role at BBA

BBA is seeking a Principal Engineer Lead – Hydrology, Hydraulics & Dam Safety to provide technical authority and leadership for water management, tailings, and dam-related projects in the mining sector. This role is central to the safe design, operation, and governance of dams and tailings facilities, where hydrological risk, hydraulic performance, and regulatory compliance are critical.

You will act as a senior technical advisor and dam safety leader, supporting clients in the planning, design, assessment, and operation of tailings storage facilities, water retention dams, diversion structures, and mine water management systems. The role combines advanced technical responsibility, dam safety governance, mentoring, and client engagement.

With us, you'll get the opportunity to

Technical Leadership & Dam Safety Authority

• Provide technical leadership and oversight for hydrology, hydraulics, and dam safety aspects of mining projects.
• Act as senior technical reviewer for dams, tailings storage facilities, and mine water management infrastructure.
• Lead and review hydrological and hydroclimatic studies, including:
• Catchment and watershed analyses
• Extreme flood estimation and design floods
• Hydroclimatic and statistical analyses
• Climate change impact and adaptation assessments
• Lead hydraulic analyses and modelling to support dam and tailings design, including:
• Spillway and outlet works capacity
• Flood routing and reservoir routing
• Freeboard assessments
• Emergency spillway performance
• Perform or oversee 1D, 2D, and 3D hydraulic simulations for dams, tailings facilities, and diversion systems.

Tailings & Mine Water Management

• Lead the development of integrated mine water management strategies, including water balances, operational water routing, and contingency planning.
• Develop and review water and mass balance models for tailings storage facilities and mine operations.
• Support tailings governance frameworks, including design basis, operating criteria, and performance monitoring.
• Contribute to closure and long-term water management strategies for tailings and mine facilities.

Dam Safety, Risk & Regulatory Compliance

• Lead and contribute to dam safety assessments, including:
• Dam Safety Reviews (DSRs)
• Independent Technical Reviews (ITRs)
• Consequence classification and hazard assessments
• Failure modes and effects analyses (FMEA)
• Support emergency preparedness and response planning, including dam break analysis and inundation mapping and
• emergency action plans (EAPs).
• Prepare and review dam safety documentation in support of regulatory submissions and audits.
• Ensure alignment with applicable U.S. dam safety regulations, guidelines, and industry standards, as well as international best practices.

Leadership, Mentorship & Client Engagement

• Serve as a technical mentor and leader for hydrotechnical and dam safety professionals.
• Support proposals, scopes, and technical approaches for dam and tailings projects.
• Act as a trusted technical advisor to mining clients and regulatory authorities.
• Promote best practices in safety, risk management, and responsible tailings governance.

Do your qualities and values match our corporate culture?

• Strong ethical standards and commitment to public and environmental safety
• Deep interest in complex, high-consequence engineering challenges
• Results-driven with sound engineering judgment
• Collaborative leadership and knowledge-sharing mindset
• Strong commitment to health, safety, and responsible mining practices.

Summary of certifications and job requirements

• Bachelor's degree in civil engineering or equivalent
• Master's degree or PhD in Hydraulics, Hydrology, Water Resources, or related field is a strong asset
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) or eligible for licensure in the United States
• 20+ years of experience in hydrology, hydraulics, and dam safety, preferably in mining and tailings projects
• Demonstrated experience with dam safety evaluations, tailings facilities, and flood risk management
• Advanced proficiency in hydrological and hydraulic modelling tools
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English
• Asset: Familiarity with U.S. dam safety regulations and regulatory processes
• Asset: Experience supporting Emergency Action Plans (EAPs) and inundation mapping
• Asset: Knowledge of instrumentation, hydrometry, and dam monitoring systems
• Asset: Familiarity with international dam and tailings guidelines (e.g., industry best practices)
• Asset: Experience incorporating climate change considerations into dam and flood design.

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About BBA

BBA is one of Canada's leading private consulting engineering firms, with over 45 years of experience serving the energy and natural resources industry.

Our people are the foundation of our success. Their passion and excellence have earned us recognition as one of Canada's Best Employers and Best Managed Companies, and we're committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels empowered to grow, lead and be themselves.

Our teams bring together engineering, environmental and commissioning expertise to deliver practical, innovative and sustainable solutions—from strategy to execution. With 20 offices across Canada, the U.S. and Latin America, we combine local presence with international reach, offering clients close collaboration and field-ready support.

Learn more about our culture and projects on LinkedIn or connect with our talent team.