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HDR, Inc.

Senior Design Manager

HDR, Inc., Walnut Creek, California, United States, 94598

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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. We constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Read on 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 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 Senior Wastewater Design Manager, you will play an integral part on 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. In this role, you will work closely with 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. Candidates with strong self‑motivation and the ability to work independently will excel.

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

Senior Design Manager Responsibilities

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 a technical specialist or project manager on mid‑size projects, as required.

Delegate to and mentor junior staff, as needed.

Supervise a small staff of professionals and technicians.

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 projects.

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 Accounting, Operations, 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 involvement in water/wastewater industry associations is a strong plus.

Strong technical background and experience in designing water distribution systems.

Proficient with 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 of related experience.

Minimum 7 years of project management experience.

Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered (PE or P.Eng).

MS Office and MS Project experience required (Access experience is a plus).

Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills.

Commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture.

What We Believe

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.

Our Commitment

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, and Young Professionals – foster a sense of belonging and support a workplace 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 Business Class:

WW Treatment and Effluent Management Job Posting Date:

Nov 17, 2025

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