Area Highway Digital Design Lead

HDR; Fulton (MD); On-site; USD 83,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time away

Retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking an Area Highway Digital Design Lead to head BIM and 3D modeling for highway and local roads projects. You will lead digital design strategy, coordinate with Transportation Digital Delivery leadership, and drive model-based quality across disciplines.

The role requires senior expertise in BIM coordination, CAD/ BIM standards, and client engagement. Based in the Mid-Atlantic, you will mentor staff and support pursuits while shaping local capabilities.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of digital design (BIM element authoring) experience and 3 years in digital delivery (model management).
• Advanced BIM and data practices including clash detection, 4D phasing, model health, GIS, and digital twins.

Responsibilities

• Lead digital design, BIM, and 3D modeling for highway projects.
• Serve as BIM Manager or Highway Modeling Lead on area projects.
• Develop and maintain digital delivery standards, workspaces, and protocols.
• Guide teams through full digital delivery lifecycle from pursuit to construction.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Client relations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering

Tools

OpenRoads Designer

Civil 3D

CAD/BIM standards

Job description

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?

Watch Our Story:' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around 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.

Help shape how highway infrastructure is designed and delivered. As the Area Highway Digital Design Lead, you will lead digital design, BIM, and 3D modeling initiatives for highway and local roads projects while helping teams adopt consistent, scalable ways of working. This highly visible role blends strategy, hands-on project delivery, client engagement, innovation, and staff development.

You will collaborate with multidisciplinary project teams, the Highways Business Class, and Transportation Digital Delivery leadership. Your work will improve project coordination and quality, strengthen local capabilities, and expand the use of model-based delivery throughout the area.

In the role of Area Highway Digital Design Lead, we'll count on you to:

• Serve as BIM Manager or Highway Modeling Lead on selected projects and provide oversight to highway model authors and discipline teams on area highway projects to promote quality, consistency, and compliance.
• Lead the area’s highway digital design and delivery strategy, serving as the primary point of contact for local needs and coordinating regularly with Transportation and Highways Digital Delivery leadership.
• Guide project teams through the full digital delivery lifecycle—from pursuit planning, risk assessment, scope and fee development, and project setup through design execution and construction-phase support.
• Develop and maintain client-specific digital delivery standards, workspaces, protocols, and project requirements in collaboration with client BIM, CAD, and digital delivery teams.
• Lead model-based quality reviews, including reviews of 3D model deliverables, and help teams resolve coordination and delivery issues.
• Build area capability through practical training, standardized workflows, best practices, mentoring, and regional worksharing.
• Advise project teams on digital delivery budgets, fees, scopes, and schedules so expectations and resources remain aligned.
• Support marketing, pursuits, and client engagement by demonstrating how HDR’s digital delivery capabilities improve project outcomes.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related field.
• 10 or more years of highway design experience, including at least five years as a BIM/Model Manager on major multidisciplinary transportation projects.
• Advanced proficiency in related digital delivery software, BIM coordination, and model-management platforms; Bentley OpenRoads Designer or Civil 3D certification is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience implementing CAD/BIM standards, common data environments, and model-based quality processes on transportation projects.
• Experience applying advanced BIM and data practices, such as clash detection, 4D construction phasing, model health assessments, reality capture, GIS integration, digital twins, extended reality, or digital asset management.
• Working knowledge of highway design criteria and methodologies.
• Demonstrated success leading multidisciplinary teams, developing staff, and building productive client relationships.
• Experience managing digital delivery scopes and budgets and supporting transportation pursuits or business development.
• Preference given to candidates currently residing in the Mid-Atlantic (VA/MD/DC) Area

Required Qualifications

• Technical degree or a combination of education and relevant experience
• A minimum of 5 years digital design (BIM element authoring) and 3 years digital delivery (model management) experience
• Comprehensive understanding of all discipline relations and operations of building systems
• Advanced skillset of 3D design software and document management infrastructure
• Advanced skillset of 3D Coordination tools
• Advanced skillset of Microsoft Office products and communication tools
• Familiar with industry standards and practices, along with discipline codes and specifications
• Familiar with basic automation and programming applications for efficiencies
• Familiar with 3D design software add-ins and supporting applications
• Familiar with content creation and management concepts
• Superior client service, communication, and presentation skills are essential
• Demonstrate strong analytical and problem-solving skills to effectively serve as a first line of technical support

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.

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. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Washington, DC: $104,328 - $149,040. Baltimore, MD: $91,287 - $130,410. Glen Allen, VA: $86,940 - $124,200. Roanoke, VA: $82,593 - $117,990. Vienna, VA: $104,328 - $149,040. Virginia Beach, VA: $86,940 - $124,200. Primary Location:United States-Virginia-Vienna Other Locations:United States-District of Columbia-Washington DC, United States-Virginia-Glen Allen, United States-Maryland-Baltimore, United State-Virginia-Roanoke, United States-Virginia-Virginia Beach, United States-Maryland-Fulton Industry:Highway + Road Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Highways Job Posting:Nov 2, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affluent Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.