Senior Design Manager

Senior Design Manager

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: What is our impact on the world?

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 waste is more than management, it's also an opportunity to innovate. As part of our Waste sector, you'll help shape solid waste infrastructure and environmental stewardship. With a top-tier industry ranking, our team delivers comprehensive solutions that span waste planning, remediation, engineering and implementation. You'll collaborate closely with clients and communities to design sustainable, cost-effective systems that contribute to cleaner environments and healthier communities. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to drive meaningful changes in the waste industry and build a legacy of sustainability.

HDR's Northern California Water Business Group is recognized throughout Northern California for the planning, design, and delivery of complex water/wastewater/water resources projects. As a Sr Wastewater Design Manager in our group, you will play an integral part on various multidisciplinary teams to support highly visible, impactful public infrastructure projects across the region and country.

Our employee-owned culture creates a workplace atmosphere of collaboration, learning, enrichment, and inclusion. Collaboration is a cornerstone of our design delivery approach. In this role, you will work closely with other team members to prepare calculations, write specifications, reports, and construction documents, determine appropriate design methods, equipment sizing and selection, engineering design, and project closeout. You will be supported by senior engineers and/or project managers who will provide guidance and mentorship throughout the project lifecycle. Having the ability to function effectively in a variety of roles on integrated project teams is key for this role. Candidates with strong self-motivation and the ability to work independently will excel in this role.

We are committed to promoting employees' physical and mental wellness and well-being and delivering meaningful employee experiences. Whether you are interested in advancing your technical skillset, learning more about business development, or are eager to step into a project management role, we provide endless growth and training opportunities that match your skillset and interest.

In the role of Senior Design Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Perform complex assignments exercising judgment in evaluation, selection, and modification of standard engineering techniques and procedures
• Make decisions on significant design and engineering procedures, as needed
• Act as technical specialist or project manager on mid-size projects, as needed
• Delegate to and mentor junior staff, as needed
• Supervise small staff of professionals and technicians, as needed
• Maintain professional engineering registration
• Perform other duties as needed
• Support the development and implementation of strategies/initiatives for municipal water/wastewater clients
• Oversee and lead water/wastewater treatment design project
• Conduct work sessions for design development in conjunction with other staff and stakeholders
• Serve as interface between design and client teams
• Coordinate staffing and workload of engineers and various disciplines
• Work with the Accounting, Operational and Business leadership for periodic project reviews
• Implement QA/QC procedures
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Civil or Environmental Engineering or equivalent
• Active in area water/wastewater industry associations is a strong plus
• Strong technical background and experience in designing water distribution systems
• Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, MicroStation and hydraulic modeling software
• Project Engineering experience is necessary
• Software knowledge: AutoCAD/Civil 3D, Microsoft Office; scheduling software, hydraulic or process modeling software experience

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 15 years related experience
• A minimum 7 years project management experience
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience is required (Access experience would be plus)
• Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes 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. Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $150,381.00 - $244,125.00 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Primary Location: United States-California-Walnut Creek

Other Locations: United States-California-Sacramento, United States-California-Folsom

Industry: Water

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt

Job Posting: Nov 17, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.