Hydraulic engineers design and build water-related structures and systems, requiring a bachelor’s degree in civil or chemical engineering, and often a master’s degree and professional certification. Practical experience is also necessary, including analyzing survey reports and estimating water flow rates. Job tasks include drawing, technical specifications, and on-site design inspections. Hydraulic engineers may work as project managers and eventually become hydraulic engineering managers.
To become a hydraulic engineer, you first need training and education. Hydraulic engineers design and build things that are associated with water, its effects and behaviors. A degree from a college or university is required for anyone wishing to become a hydraulic engineer. Likewise, a hydraulic engineer needs to gain work experience and develop the knowledge needed to build structures and systems that handle water. Job duties require various skills and abilities.
The educational requirements for anyone wanting to become a hydraulic engineer are a bachelor’s degree in civil or chemical engineering. If you want to move up from the starting position, you will likely need to get a master’s degree. Also, some hydraulic engineers need certification as a professional engineer. Mathematics, physics and design are part of the college’s courses. Hydraulic engineers must also be trained to read and interpret blueprints, drawings, maps, aerial photography and topographical and geological data necessary for the design and development of water projects such as ports, dams, pipelines or irrigation projects.
Once formal education and training is completed, anyone wanting to become a hydraulic engineer must develop skills that come from practical, real-world experience. Most engineering companies assign a mentor or senior engineer to work alongside entry-level employees and teach them the necessary skills. These skills include analyzing survey reports and other documents used to determine the construction site, material costs, type of equipment needed, and how much manpower is needed to successfully complete a specific project. Additional skills required for this position include the ability to estimate water flow rates, calculate load and grading requirements, determine material stress factors, and test soil to determine the strength of materials.
Job tasks of hydraulic engineers include drawing, specification of technical parts. On-site design inspections to ensure compliance with local government standards, safety and sanitation can also form part of this work. Most hydraulic engineers work within the ranks of a company and are promoted to work as project managers. As project managers, hydraulic engineers will have the valuable experience of working with and directing a small group of other engineers, hydrologists, and scientists, eventually working towards the position of hydraulic engineering manager.
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