WSP

Senior Hydrotechnical Engineer (Open Channel Hydraulics)

WSP$104K — $139K *
Energy & Utilities
5 - 7 years of experience
Job Overview by Ladders

Qualifications

  • 5-10 years of experience in hydraulic modelling or hydrotechnical engineering
  • Advanced proficiency with hydraulic modelling tools
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil or Water Resources Engineering
  • P.Eng. registered or eligible for registration in a Canadian province
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects and manage budgets
  • Strong interest in mentorship and long-term resilience outcomes
  • Experience with Indigenous infrastructure or dam safety is valuable, but not required

Responsibilities

  • Provide technical leadership on advanced hydraulic modelling for Prairie and Northern basins
  • Develop, review, and validate 1D/2D hydraulic and flood models using various tools
  • Model extreme events and climate-driven flood scenarios
  • Act as a technical authority on floodplain mapping and flood risk assessments
  • Contribute to dam safety, breach analyses, and emergency spillway design
  • Work directly with Indigenous communities and regulators to support solutions
  • Mentor junior modellers and help define hydraulic standards

Benefits

  • Opportunity for professional growth and influence
  • Hands-on technical involvement
  • Collaborative work environment with experienced practitioners
  • Exposure to complex and meaningful projects
  • Flexibility in pace of career development based on experience
Full Job Description
Job Description

The Opportunity

Work on some of Canada's most complex flood and water systems - with the space to grow your influence.

This role offers a thoughtful next step for an experienced hydraulic modeller who wants exposure to complex, meaningful work without losing hands-on technical involvement.

At WSP, you'll be part of the world's largest engineering and professional services consultancy, but day-to-day work remains practical, collaborative, and close to the projects. Senior engineers are trusted with judgement, given room to contribute, and encouraged to shape how work is delivered - technically and professionally.

In the Prairies & Northern Canada, hydraulic modelling goes well beyond routine municipal applications. Flat-slope flooding, ice-affected systems, climate variability, and large, interconnected watersheds create challenges that require careful thinking and sound engineering. This role sits within those systems, supporting projects that matter to communities, Indigenous partners, and long-term flood resilience across the region.

You'll have the opportunity to deepen your technical expertise, work alongside experienced practitioners across Canada, and gradually expand your influence through mentorship, technical review, and client engagement - at a pace that reflects both your experience and your interests.

Your Impact
  • Provide technical leadership on advanced hydraulic modelling for complex Prairie and Northern basins (including the Red, Assiniboine, Saskatchewan, and Mackenzie systems).
  • Develop, review, and validate 1D/2D hydraulic and flood models using tools such as HEC-RAS 2D, MIKE FLOOD / MIKE 21, TUFLOW, TELEMAC, or equivalent.
  • Model extreme events, climate-driven flood scenarios, ice-affected hydraulics, and low-gradient floodplains where conventional approaches fall short.
  • Act as a technical authority on floodplain mapping, flood risk assessments, river hydraulics, drainage systems, and infrastructure resilience.
  • Contribute to dam safety, breach analyses, flood consequence assessments, and emergency spillway design, as applicable.
  • Work directly with Indigenous communities, municipalities, utilities, and regulators, supporting solutions that are technically sound and contextually appropriate.
  • Mentor and develop junior and intermediate modellers, while helping define best-practice hydraulic standards across WSP.
  • Collaborate nationally with hydrotechnical, climate resilience, and water security leaders, shaping how complex water challenges are addressed across Canada.

What Sets You Apart
  • 5-10 years of experience in hydraulic modelling or hydrotechnical engineering, with deep expertise in open-channel hydraulics and flood analysis.
  • Advanced proficiency with hydraulic modelling tools; experience with water management or flood infrastructure is a strong asset.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Civil or Water Resources Engineering.
  • P.Eng. registered or eligible for registration in a Canadian province.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead projects, manage budgets and timelines, and build trusted client relationships.
  • A strong interest in mentorship, technical excellence, and long-term resilience outcomes.
  • Experience with Indigenous infrastructure, dam safety, ice hydraulics, or northern systems is highly valued, but not required.

Compensation
BC, AB, SK, NWT, YT & NT: $104,100 - $139,900
MB & ON: $95,000 - $130,800
NB, NL, NS, PEI& QC: $88,500 - $119,300

Disclosure:
The final salary awarded for this role may vary from the above range based on several factors including, but not limited to, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, seniority, geographic location, performance, and business or organizational needs. The wage range provided in this job posting may be subject to change for business purposes.

Ready to Shape the Future?

Apply your technical judgement where it can make a real difference.
Collaborate on systems that help protect communities, infrastructure, and ecosystems over time.
At WSP, you'll grow your role and influence through careful, well-supported work in complex water environments across Canada.

About WSP

WSP is a Canadian engineering consulting firm that provides services to transform the built environment and restore the natural environment. The firm's expertise ranges from environmental remediation and urban planning, to engineering iconic buildings and designing sustainable transport networks, to developing the energy sources of the future and enabling new ways of extracting essential resources. It has approximately 54,000 employees, including engineers, technicians, scientists, architects, planners, surveyors, program and construction management professionals, and various environmental experts. WSP has offices in more than 40 countries and territories around the world.
Learn more about WSP
Size
54,000 employees
Industry
Founded
1959

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