Kleinschmidt hires fish hatchery expert Molly Steere as project engineer

Kleinschmidt Associates has hired Molly Steere as a project engineer to support its fish hatchery and fish passage practice across North America. Steere brings 28 years of engineering and fisheries experience to projects focused on hatchery modernization, facility optimization and fish passage improvements.

Why it matters: - Kleinschmidt is adding specialized expertise as utilities, state agencies, federal programs and Tribal hatcheries look to improve production, operations and facility performance. - The hire strengthens the firm’s ability to support fish culture and fish passage projects across North America.

What happened: - Kleinschmidt Associates named Molly Steere a project engineer. - Steere will support the firm’s fish hatchery and fish passage practice. - Kleinschmidt announced the hire in Seattle on Sept. 23, 2026.

The details: - Steere brings 28 years of experience combining engineering and fisheries science. - Her background includes infrastructure assessments, bio programming, conceptual design, construction planning and documentation, cost estimating and facility modernization. - Steere has worked with utility, state, federal and Tribal hatchery programs across the United States. - Her work centers on translating fish production goals and program requirements into practical improvements for efficient operations and facility optimization. - At Kleinschmidt, Steere will support the planning, design, construction and operation of fish culture and fish passage facilities. - She will also contribute to multidisciplinary project management and technical documentation. - Steere holds a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering Technology from Central Washington University. - She also holds a certificate in Designing Recirculating Aquaculture Systems from Cornell University.

Between the lines: - The hire signals Kleinschmidt’s push to pair engineering with biological expertise in a niche infrastructure market. - Nick Ciomei, Kleinschmidt’s technical director, said Steere’s experience should help the firm evaluate existing facilities, plan modernization efforts and develop solutions that support fish production and long-term performance. - Steere said she is excited to join the team and work with clients on practical solutions for fish culture and fish passage.

What's next: - Steere will begin supporting client projects involving hatchery planning, modernization and fish passage work. - Kleinschmidt will continue serving energy and water resource clients while expanding its fisheries-related consulting work.

The bottom line: - Kleinschmidt is betting that deep hatchery and fisheries expertise will help it win and execute more complex fish facility projects.