Learn more about Water

Construction managers oversee the construction of a hydropower plant from site selection to construction completion. They coordinate, direct, and acquire teams to ensure the project is completed on schedule and within budget.

Surveyors take precise geographic measurements to determine boundaries as well as land and water-body floor contours for construction projects. Surveyors then display, interpret, and verify their measurements to advise on project infrastructure.

Research analysts study different parts of the hydropower industry, such as policies, economics, or technologies, to make recommendations to their employers or other decision makers.

Software developers play a very versatile role within the renewable energy sector because they design, test, and deploy digital platforms and programs that help hydropower facilities operate more effectively and efficiently.

Cement mason and concrete finishers place, pour, and finish concrete materials for construction projects.

Hydrodynamic engineers design and maintain fluid-based mechanical systems. They find ways to design systems to improve the energy efficiency and structural integrity of devices in complicated air, water, or other fluid flow environments.

Land acquisition specialists are responsible for obtaining land for new marine energy projects and maintaining or updating existing licenses, agreements, permits, and other administrative duties associated with the project area.

Public utilities specialists write contracts that allow utilities to buy, sell, or interchange electricity. They often negotiate with government agencies, power purchasers, and other public and private utilities to get contracts approved.

At the undergraduate and graduate levels, professors instruct students in academic topics. Some professors also carry out their own research and write and publish academic books and papers.

Survey technicians assist surveyors in making precise measurements of the land to determine property boundaries and surface contours for construction projects.