West Tunnel Practice Lead

Central / West Tunnel Practice Lead at HDR

HDR invites applicants to join our Water Business Group as the Central/West Tunnel Practice Lead. The role focuses on hydraulic tunnel engineering, leading major infrastructure projects throughout Central and West regions. Candidates will provide technical leadership on trenchless and tunnel projects, partner with clients and internal teams, and help shape HDR’s tunneling practice strategy.

Primary Responsibilities

• Direct involvement and oversight on selected projects to manage tunnel‑related services
• Advising on and reviewing alternatives analyses and feasibility studies related to tunnels
• Risk management of the WBG tunneling portfolio and support HDR’s go/no‑go process during pursuit phase
• Subconsultant vetting, risk management, and quality assurance activities
• Assessment and enhancement of HDR’s capabilities regarding tunnel construction and trenchless technologies, including expertise with Sequential Excavation Method (SEM) and New Austrian Tunneling Method (NATM)
• Collaboration with HDR’s WBG Tunnel Practice Lead and the Geotechnical Cross‑Sector team
• Verify qualifications and training of field staff assigned to construction‑phase tunnel services

Secondary Responsibilities

• Cost engineering support
• Skills and bench‑depth management for tunnel instrumentation, mechanical, civil, and consulting design support
• Assessing terrestrial and marine construction capabilities
• Numerical modeling to support tunnel projects (ground/structure interaction, underpinning of buildings and utilities)
• Technologies for coordination/production of design calculations, design products, and contract documents
• Site characterization and geotechnical evaluations
• Construction engineering support and inspections
• Condition assessments, resiliency, operations, and emergency response issues

• Master’s degree
• Effective communication and coordination in integrated multidisciplinary teams
• U.S. focused tunneling design and construction experience
• Lead design and construction of tunnels and underground facilities for major projects
• Rock mechanics, soil mechanics, and geotechnical engineering expertise across diverse ground conditions
• Experience with SEM, NATM, SCL, EPBM, cut‑and‑cover techniques
• Track record of industry‑facing publications and presentations; active participation in professional organizations
• Ph.D. in engineering or related field is highly desirable
• Prior experience managing staff, clients, and contracts; hiring experience for consulting firm is a plus
• Business development skills and contact relationships in relevant business class disciplines
• Proficiency in numerical analysis tools (FLAC, UDEC, PHASES2, PLAXIS 2D/3D, MIDAS GTS, MODFLOW, etc.)
• Ground‑structure interaction modelling skills (FEM or similar)
• Experience with large‑scale underground projects, urban tunneling, and tunnel rehabilitation
• Robust interpersonal skills and professional demeanor for client and colleague interaction

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering
• 10+ years of related experience
• Minimum 5 years of project management experience
• Professional Engineering license recognized by the appropriate licensing board (e.g., PE or P.Eng)
• Proficiency with MS Office and MS Project (Access experience a plus)
• Demonstrated leadership, business development, and strategic planning skills
• Commitment to being an active participant of HDR’s employee‑owned culture

HDR offers a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement.

Compensation range: $116,802 – $231,750 depending on skills, experience, education and geographical location.

United States‑Wisconsin‑Madison

HDR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law.

Full‑time

Regular

Pump Stations and Pipelines

Oct 13, 2025