Structural Engineering Department Manager

About The Role

Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) is seeking a Structural Engineering Department Manager to lead our Springfield, IL office. This key leadership role is for a seasoned civil engineering professional who will assume strategic, financial, and operational leadership of our transportation practice in Central Illinois. The Manager will drive growth and technical excellence across transportation and civil projects, serving cornerstone clients including the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) and surrounding counties and municipalities.

The role requires translating strategic vision into operational reality, mentoring a multi-disciplinary team, and solidifying HLR's presence as a trusted advisor in the region.

Founded in 1965, HLR is a 100% employee‑owned civil engineering firm with five offices across Illinois. We provide consulting engineering, environmental, and surveying services for public agencies and private‑sector clients throughout the Midwest. Our culture is focused on working hard, having fun, and giving back ®. We are proud to be recognized as the #1 2025 AEC Employer of Choice® by PSMJ Resources, Inc.

and one of the 2024 Best Places to Work by the Illinois Society of Professional Engineers (ISPE).

• Coordinate, review, and complete structural design calculations, plans, specifications, cost estimates, reports, and contracts in Illinois.
• Perform structural analyses, bridge inspections, load ratings, and assessment reports.
• Ensure quality assurance and quality control compliance with standards.
• Implement the company’s vision of growing, expanding, and leading our Springfield office.
• Supervise design team, engineering staff, and administrative staff.
• Serve as Principal and/or Project Manager on designated structural engineering projects.
• Coordinate project status and progress with clients and regulatory agencies.
• Mentor and motivate professional staff according to our company culture.
• Maintain project schedules, quality, budgets, and client satisfaction.
• Demonstrate creativity, foresight, and mature engineering judgement while managing multiple projects.
• Maintain and expand client relationships with the help of managers throughout Illinois.
• Identify areas of growth and strategize the development of new business.
• Lead structural transportation, business development efforts, and participate in proposal presentation.

• Develop and execute a comprehensive strategic plan for the Springfield office structural engineering group, identifying new service areas and markets to drive regional growth in alignment with corporate goals.
• Assume full profit & loss responsibility for the department, including forecasting revenue, managing operating budgets, and analyzing key financial metrics.
• Direct long‑term resource planning and strategic staffing assignments to optimize project outcomes.
• Oversee fiscal management of departmental projects, ensuring rigorous oversight of budgets, resource allocation, and client invoicing.

• Serve as the Principal‑in‑Charge and primary client service manager for key accounts in Central Illinois, cultivating trust‑based relationships with IDOT Bureau Chiefs, District Engineers, County Engineers, and municipal officials.
• Lead the entire proposal lifecycle, from strategic decisions to technical strategy development and interview preparation.
• Represent the firm at a leadership level in key industry organizations (e.g., ACEC‑IL, ISPE).
• Proactively identify, track, and pursue new project opportunities, focusing on expanding work with IDOT Central Office and regional municipalities.

• Provide ultimate technical oversight for the successful delivery of structural projects (Phase I and Phase II), ensuring compliance with scope, schedule, budget, and IDOT/Federal standards.
• Establish and enforce rigorous QA/QC procedures and engineering standards.
• Serve as escalation point for complex technical challenges or contractual disputes.
• Handle all facets of contract administration, including scoping, negotiation, execution,…