Senior Operations Specialist; Water

About HDR

HDR is a global employee‑owned partnership with 13,000 employees offering engineering, architecture, environmental, and construction services to clients ranging from local utilities to multinational corporations. The Water Business Group, which has over 2,000 employee owners, focuses on delivering safe drinking water, treating wastewater, and protecting communities from flooding.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support project leaders on water treatment projects at local, state, and regional levels.
• Review drawings for operability and Haz Ops analysis to ensure successful operation of treatment processes.
• Manage operations and maintenance projects for municipal and industrial clients, including client interfacing, regulatory reporting, and subcontractor management.
• Develop startup and commissioning plans; host workshops for contractors and operators.
• Perform startup and commissioning of new facilities, ensuring equipment functions correctly before handover.
• Provide formal and informal training to client operators.
• Participate in facility testing to confirm readiness for startup and design capacity post‑startup.
• Conduct condition assessment and asset‑management tasks using advanced evaluation tools.
• Troubleshoot and evaluate operational or maintenance issues on municipal and industrial plants.

Strongly Preferred Qualifications

• At least 10 years of field experience troubleshooting mechanical, electrical, and instrumentation equipment at water treatment facilities.
• High‑level water‑treatment operator license or professional engineering license.
• Ability to interpret engineering plans and specifications.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and computerized maintenance and management systems.
• Commitment to participate in HDR’s employee‑owned culture.
• Valid driver’s license.

Required Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience with Microsoft Office products.
• General background‑related experience.
• Commitment to employee‑owned culture.

Location

Primary:
Vienna, Virginia (U.S.)

Other potential locations include West Virginia, Ohio (Cincinnati), North Carolina (Charlotte), Georgia, New York (East Syracuse), Florida (Doral and Fort Lauderdale), Alabama (Mobile), Pennsylvania (Bethlehem), Indiana, Kentucky, and many more across the United States.

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, short and long‑term disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, retirement savings plan with employer match, referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement.

Compensation

Annual salary range: $71,960 – $128,500 (dependent on skills, experience, education, and location).

Schedule

Full‑time, regular employee status.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Job Function

Management, Consulting, and Engineering – Water

Formal Employment Statement

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity and are an affirmative‑action and equal‑opportunity employer. All qualified applicants are considered, including those with criminal histories, arrests, or convictions.

Job Posting Date

December 31, 2025