Water Strategy Lead Engineer

Important Application Submission Information

In order to ensure your application is successfully received before the job posting expires, please submit your application by 11:59 PM on Monday, December 15, 2025

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The Lead Engineer falls within the specialist level of the Engineering classification hierarchy. Employees at this level solve complex problems, manage work, and provide leadership to others in engineering areas of specialization, with minimal supervision and increased latitude for un-reviewed work. The Lead Engineer serves in leadership roles providing guidance to others. They are also expected to have advanced skills and the ability to work independently.

This Lead Engineer position is accountable for all water resource planning and management activities on the Water Strategy, Hydro Licensing and Lake Services (WSHLLS) team. Work typically focuses on the Carolinas Region but occasionally involves water-related issues outside the Carolinas. Duke Energy’s reservoirs in the Carolinas Region are some of the company’s oldest and most important assets, as they provide essential water supplies for power plants, municipal water systems, commercial and industrial facilities, irrigation, recreation and environmental ecosystems. In short, this position provides leadership for the protection and conservation of those shared water supplies.

Specific roles include:

Lead responsibility for determining, tracking changes in and making strategic recommendations to protect and enhance the Total Usable Water Storage in each Duke Energy reservoir in the Carolinas Region. Coordinating drought response for multi-use reservoir systems, including implementing various low inflow protocols and providing oversight and direction for other water users (internal and external). Representing the company on external stakeholder teams, committees, etc. involved in either long range water supply planning or management of shared water resources. Acquisition, management, interpretation and dissemination of water supply and water use-related data from various water users, resource agencies, etc. Subject matter expert for water quantity modeling and associated digital tool and technology applications, including interpreting modeling results and other technical data and determining and managing water yield for Duke Energy's reservoirs. Working with the Regulated Renewables Operating Center as requested to support compliance objectives. Reviewing and commenting on proposed legislation and regulations affecting water supplies in Duke Energy's reservoirs. Providing the lake owner's engineering review of all proposed new or expanded large water intakes and effluent discharges in Duke Energy's reservoirs, whether those facilities belong to Duke Energy or others. Reviewing proposed new or expanding power plant sites and economic development proposals to identify and assess any water supply vulnerabilities. Coordinating the technical review of all proposed new or expanding line crossings (i.e., any wires or pipelines carrying electricity, petroleum, natural gas, water, sewer, etc.) and bridge crossings on Duke Energy reservoirs in the Carolinas Region to ensure compliance with the National Electrical Safety Code, navigation requirements and other applicable technical requirements in support of Lake Services’ Lake Use Permitting programs. Additional collateral duties as assigned to support the WSHLLS team’s success.

Basic Responsibilities

- Provides engineering/technical expertise and guidance in the identification, analysis and resolution of complex problems in area(s) of expertise with the ability to visualize long-term results and assess impacts on a system-wide basis.

- Ensures accomplishment of business goals and objectives through effective planning, organizing, estimating, budgeting, scheduling and monitoring of work activities where only limited standardization exists; handles differing situations which require searching for solutions within area(s) of expertise.

- Prepares thorough and accurate technical reports, correspondence, documentation, calculations and sketches with the ability to conduct analyses and recommend process enhancements and standards related to area of assignment.

- Conducts engineering and related studies with full technical responsibility for planning and coordinating complex projects; applies extensive technical expertise to manage projects and disseminate knowledge to enhance the organizational unit's competitive position.

- Possesses and applies a broad knowledge of principles, practices, and procedures; demonstrates ability to analyze and recommend enhancements to business processes and develops standards relevant to area of assignment. Keeps abreast of new developments, technologies, procedures and equipment.

- Develops positive internal and external working relationships to effectively coordinate work activities.

- Demonstrates effective listening, oral and written communication skills.

- Maintains accurate records and files.

- Supports the company's goals and represents the company positively and professionally.

- Coaches and mentors other degreed and non-degreed professionals.

- Interfaces with water resources and public utility professionals from external organizations (federal and state agencies, local governments, water utilities and non-governmental organizations). Ability to develop and maintain positive working relationships outside Duke Energy is essential to success.

Required/Basic Qualifications

- Bachelor’s Degree or higher in Engineering from an ABET accredited program

- 8 years’ related work experience

- Professional Engineer’s License

Desired Qualifications

- Master’s degree or higher in a related field (e.g., Water Resources Engineering, Management or Administration; Hydrology; Civil Engineering; Environmental Engineering; etc.)

- In addition to desired degree, 10 years’ related work experience.

Additional Preferred Qualifications

- Skilled in engineering theories and principles.

- Skilled in the practices of researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations and preparing and presenting recommendations.

- Action/results oriented, self-starter.

- Good written, oral and listening communication skills.

- Experience in the water utility industry and/or working directly with water utilities on relevant issues (e.g., long-range water supply planning; operation of water intakes, treatment facilities or distribution networks; water conservation programs; etc.).

- Experience managing external relationships on behalf of the company.

- Experience leading diverse stakeholder teams.

- Experience responding to inquiries from the news media, elected officials or governmental agencies.

- Experience or familiarity with hydro project operation and licensing.

- Proven collaborative team member.

- Expertise in hydrology and/or water quantity modeling, especially with specific applications in the Carolinas.

- Skilled in principles of project management.

- Experience managing contractors.

Working Conditions

- Hybrid – Work will be performed from both remote and onsite locations after the onboarding period. However, hybrid employees should live within a reasonable commute to their designated Duke Energy facility. This position is classified as Hybrid, with a general expectation of averaging 2-3 days per week in the office in Charlotte (Duke Energy Plaza).

- Requires occasional travel to alternate work locations within the Duke Energy footprint (primarily Carolinas’ service area), including driving with occasional overnight travel required.

- Requires infrequent travel outside the Duke Energy footprint in the Carolinas with the accompanying overnight stays.

- Some uncompensated overtime is expected.

Preferred Skills

- Communication (listening, verbal, written)

- Teamwork

- Customer Collaborations

- Stakeholder Management

- Environmental Issues

- Problem Solving

- Leadership

- Public Speaking

- Technical Writing

- Project Management

- Contract Management

Travel Requirements

5-15%

Relocation Assistance Provided (as applicable)

Yes

Represented/Union Position

No

Visa Sponsored Position

No

Please note that in order to be considered for this position, you must possess all of the basic/required qualifications.

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