Kyle Desomber

About Kyle Desomber

I am deeply committed to the hydropower industry, with over 20 years of exclusive experience. In my current role at the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory, I focus on advancing hydropower technologies to support a resilient energy future.My journey began as an undergraduate, where I developed a micro-hydro turbine that won first place in the National Hydropower Competition—an achievement that ignited my lifelong passion for hydropower and energy generation.I began my professional career as a maintenance engineer at a 930 MW hydropower facility, gaining invaluable hands-on operational experience. I later transitioned to design engineering, where I developed large-scale systems for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. My progression into leadership led to my role as Mechanical Section Chief, where I managed and mentored a team of 14 mechanical engineers.As a consultant with McMillen, I built and led a team of nine hydropower engineers and served as the design and commissioning lead for a greenfield hydropower plant, successfully delivered during the COVID pandemic.

Experience

1. Hydropower Advisor, Mechanical Engineer

   Pacific Northwest National Laboratory

   Jan 2021 — Present

   Specialist in Hydropower Mechanical Engineering supporting Pacific Northwest National Laboratory’s Hydropower Program. Responsibilities include developing and applying emerging technologies and leading research initiatives to drive the modernization of the hydropower industry.

Education

• Gonzaga University

  Bachelor's Degree, Mechanical Engineering

• Washington State University

  Master's Degree, Mechanical Engineering

Skills

• Mechanical Engineering
• Cad
• Management
• Engineering Management
• Testing
• Engineering
• Analysis
• Government
• Project Engineering