Civil Engineer, Hydrology and Hydraulics

What you’ll do

• We are seeking a Civil Engineer with a specialty in hydrology and hydraulics to guide stormwater management and floodplain analysis for Giga’s data center and energy infrastructure projects. You will combine hands-on modeling and drainage design with broader site development work, helping the team evaluate sites, resolve constraints, prepare construction documents, and support projects through permitting and construction.

• You will work closely with civil engineers, project development teams, construction managers, and external consultants to translate technical analysis into clear decisions on site layouts, grading, access, and drainage infrastructure.

Where you’ll work

This role is ideally based in our San Francisco, Long Beach, or Houston offices, with full-time onsite expectations outside of bi-weekly WFH Fridays.

That said, we will make exceptions for truly exceptional talent if you live outside one of our hubs. If you're the right person for this role, we'll have a conversation about what works.

Responsibilities

• Evaluate prospective sites using survey, terrain, watershed, and floodplain information; identify drainage constraints and their implications for development cost, schedule, and usable area.

• Develop and review hydrology and hydraulic models using HEC-HMS, HEC-RAS, and other appropriate tools, including 1D and 2D analysis where warranted.

• Design stormwater conveyance and detention systems, including storm sewers, channels, swales, culverts, outlet structures, and erosion protection, along with post-construction water quality and low-impact development BMPs where local criteria require them.

• Develop erosion and sediment control plans and support SWPPP preparation and compliance under state construction stormwater general permits.

• Assess existing and proposed runoff, downstream impacts, tailwater conditions, and flood risk to buildings, electrical equipment, substations, and site access.

• Recommend project flood-protection criteria for critical facilities—design storm, freeboard, finished floor and equipment pad elevations drawing on ASCE 24, insurer requirements (e.g., FM Global), and utility interconnection standards.

• Integrate drainage design with grading, building pad elevations, retaining walls, utilities, and access roads; evaluate alternatives that balance performance, constructability, and cost.

• Prepare drainage reports, calculations, exhibits, specifications, and Civil 3D plan sheets for permitting and construction.

• Prepare or review technical analyses supporting no-rise certifications and floodplain development applications; coordinate with licensed engineers, floodplain administrators, and specialty consultants on FEMA-related submittals.

• Coordinate with permitting agencies, surveyors, geotechnical engineers, and environmental consultants, including drainage and crossing design interfaces with wetland permitting.

• Review consultant deliverables, resolve agency comments, and support construction through RFIs, field observations, and evaluation of proposed changes.

• Verify as-built detention and drainage facilities, support record drawings and agency certifications, and prepare long-term operation and maintenance plans for stormwater infrastructure.

• Maintain organized models and design assumptions, perform quality reviews, and help establish consistent drainage design and reporting workflows across projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering or Water Resources Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.

• 5+ years of relevant civil engineering experience, including at least 3 years of hands-on work in hydrology, hydraulics, drainage design, or floodplain analysis.

• Demonstrated proficiency in HEC-RAS and HEC-HMS, including model development, interpretation, and documentation, plus culvert and storm sewer analysis tools (e.g., HY-8, Storm and Sanitary Analysis, StormCAD, or equivalent).

• Proficiency in AutoCAD Civil 3D for grading, drainage layouts, profiles, and construction plan production.

• Experience designing detention and conveyance systems and preparing drainage reports for agency review.

• Working knowledge of FEMA floodplain information and local stormwater and floodplain development criteria, NOAA Atlas 14 rainfall data, and standard hydrologic methods (Rational, NRCS/TR-55, unit hydrograph).

• Ability to manage multiple project priorities, explain technical tradeoffs clearly, and coordinate effectively with design and construction teams.

Bonus points

• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure, particularly in Texas or Oklahoma, or a clear path to obtaining licensure.

• Experience with HEC-RAS 2D, GIS tools such as ArcGIS or QGIS, and stormwater platforms such as SWMM or HydroCAD.

• Master’s degree with a focus in water resources, hydrology, or hydraulic engineering.

• Experience supporting no-rise certifications, CLOMR/LOMR applications, and floodway or floodplain crossing analyses.

• Experience with USACE Section 404 crossings, construction stormwater permitting, or state dam safety review of large detention facilities.

• Background in data centers, substations, industrial facilities, or other large sites with critical infrastructure.

• Experience carrying designs from feasibility through construction and improving reusable models, templates, and design standards.