Principal Mechanical & Structural Engineer

Principal Mechanical & Structural Engineer (working title to Lead Technical Engineer)

Internal Technical Authority – Product Integrity & Engineering Excellence

Reports To: VP Operations/Engineering Director

Location: Clearwater, FL (Hybrid available; local presence strongly preferred)

Hydro-Dyne is seeking a highly experienced Principal Mechanical & Structural Engineer to serve as the company’s top internal technical authority for mechanical design, structural integrity, and engineering rigor.

This role will provide advanced expertise in structural calculations, FEA/CFD, mechanical design validation, and failure root-cause analysis—ensuring Hydro-Dyne products remain the most reliable, robust, and high-performing headworks systems in the industry.

This position is primarily internal-facing and is not a management track role. It is designed for an elite technical engineer who thrives on solving complex engineering challenges, improving design standards, and serving as the highest-level resource across Engineering and Operations.

• Serve as Hydro-Dyne’s highest-level technical authority in mechanical and structural engineering
• Provide advanced engineering support for custom designs, value engineering, and complex applications
• Ensure design decisions are technically sound, physically realistic, and aligned with field performance
• Lead VAVE design initiatives to challenge new and existing models
• Challenge materials used and thickness
• Design for manufacturability
• OEM sizing selections

• Lead structural calculations and design validation including:
• Structural frame support including hydraulic and seismic calculations
• Wind loading and support structures
• Shipping bracing and transport supports
• Apply and strengthen Hydro-Dyne’s capabilities in:
• Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
• Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) where applicable

• Improve engineering design standards, calculation methods, and documentation practices
• Provide senior-level review and challenge of engineering assumptions to prevent errors and tunnel vision
• Support transition of institutional knowledge from retiring senior PE resources

• Lead root-cause analysis of field or service issues
• Develop practical, manufacturable solutions that improve long-term equipment reliability
• Support corrosion/materials evaluation including pickling, plastics, and degradation mechanisms

• Support FAT protocol development and continuous improvement
• Partner with Production and Service teams to ensure designs translate successfully into real-world performance

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
• Extensive experience in mechanical and structural design of industrial equipment
• Strong analytical foundation with demonstrated engineering judgment
• Ability to serve as a senior technical authority across teams

Strongly Preferred

• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure
• Advanced experience with FEA and structural validation tools
• Background in wastewater equipment or similar heavy mechanical systems
• Materials/corrosion expertise relevant to harsh environments
• Masters Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related advanced technical degree

Hydro-Dyne offers competitive base salary and bonus opportunity for this principal-level technical role. This position represents a long-term opportunity to shape the engineering integrity and performance excellence of Hydro-Dyne’s next generation of products.