Dams, Levees and Civil Works Construction Business Class Lead

Overview

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves:
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Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe water is more than a resource, it’s a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience.

We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you’re modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

The Dams, Levees and Civil Works (DLCW) Construction Business Class (BC) Lead is responsible for technical and programmatic leadership for the planning, design integration, and construction delivery of HDR’s Dam and Levee projects, and for 3rd party CM projects where HDR is not the designer. The position reports to the DLCW BC Director. The duties include strategic planning, risk management, and direct oversight of all aspects of HDR’s DLCW projects during the construction phase, as well as collaborating with design teams to consider constructability and costs during the design phase.

The selected candidate will direct and oversee HDR’s DLCW construction support activities, ensuring the design intent is met, providing engineering support during construction, developing scope for and providing construction administration services, evaluating QC and QA test data, and managing or supporting claims. The role may also serve as the lead engineer, technical lead, or project manager on DLCW design projects, and will help develop HDR’s presence in the industry through professional involvement to raise the profile of HDR’s DLCW program.

The position emphasizes alignment of design decisions with construction realities, including staging, access, materials, foundation treatment, design changes, and risk management during construction. It supports corporate portfolio risk management, assists with project development and delivery, and builds strong client relationships, particularly with owners, construction contractors, and oversight boards. The role includes mentoring mid- and junior-level engineers with an emphasis on constructability, field engineering, and collaboration between design and construction teams.

It also requires reviewing HDR’s Matrix of Authority (MOA) and risk management go/no go decisions, SOWs, contracts, and project pricing in coordination with DLCW leaders and other business class leaders.

Location and Travel
The geographic location is non-specific; a location with significant HDR presence is preferred. Estimated travel is 50% or greater, with monthly variations between 0% and 100%. The anticipated UT range for this position is 70 to 80%.

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 15 years of experience in dam design, construction support, inspection or related field.
• Leadership experience on dam, levee, or related flood control projects requiring close integration of design and construction.
• Experience in the design of large heavy civil multidisciplinary projects and with construction cost estimating.
• Extensive understanding of various contract delivery methods, including but not limited to…