Dams, Levees, Civil Works Team Lead

HDR; Chattanooga (TN); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR's Dams, Levees and Civil Works group seeks a leader to guide dam, levee and flood risk projects across Kentucky and Tennessee. You will direct technical teams, manage scope, schedule and quality, and collaborate with hydrology, hydraulics, geotechnical and GIS specialists.

With a PE license and a minimum of ten years' experience, you will mentor staff, build client relationships, and contribute to disciplined project development and contract documents.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in an engineering discipline.
• 10 years of experience in DLCW or related fields.
• Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board.
• Experience with Microsoft Office, GIS, and CADD.
• Experience with GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage, and deep foundation response software.
• Experience with Bentley suite of geotechnical data management and visualization software (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog).
• Knowledge of advanced numerical modeling techniques such as Finite Difference, Finite Element, and Discrete Element; experience with Bentley, PLAXIS, Itasca FLAC.

Responsibilities

• Lead the DLCW team with direction, control, and quality of work for dam, levee, civil works projects.
• Plan and direct the DLCW team within Kentucky/Tennessee.
• Support the Business Class Lead in client relations, project development, and contract document preparation.
• Mentor junior staff across disciplines.
• Coordinate projects with hydrology, hydraulics, structural, geology, geotechnical, civil, mechanical, CADD, and GIS.
• Coordinate with HDR’s regional and corporate technical leads and advisors.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Mentoring

Education

Bachelor's degree

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

Microsoft Office

GIS

CADD

GeoStudio/Ensoft

Bentley suite (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog)

PLAXIS

Itasca FLAC

Job description

In the role of Dams, Levees and Civil Works (DLCW) Leader, we'll count on you to:

Primary Responsibilities

• The team lead within the Dams, Levees, and Civil Works (DLCW) is responsible for assisting the DLCW Business Class Lead with the direction, control, and quality of work for dam, levee, civil works, and flood risk management projects in Kentucky and Tennessee.
• The duties of the lead include planning and directing the DLCW team within Kentucky/Tennessee.
• The position will support the DLCW Business Class Lead in building and maintaining client relations, participating in project development, and contract document preparation.
• The lead will mentor junior-level staff across a variety of disciplines.
• The position will assist in coordinating projects with inter-related disciplines such as hydrology, hydraulics, structural, geology, geotechnical, civil, mechanical, CADD, and GIS.
• The lead will also assist the DLCW Business Class Lead with coordination with HDR’s other regional and corporate business class technical leads and advisors.

Preferred Qualifications

• Active engagement in professional or industry associations to enhance HDR's technical expertise and brand.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree.
• 10 years of experience.
• Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered (e.g., Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license).
• Experience with Microsoft Office applications, GIS, and CADD.
• Experience with GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage, and deep foundation response software.
• Experience with Bentley suite of geotechnical data management and visualization software (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog).
• Knowledge of advanced numerical modeling techniques such as Finite Difference, Finite Element, and Discrete Element, and commercial software for advanced numerical modeling (Bentley, PLAXIS, Itasca FLAC).
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

Primary Location: United States-Kentucky-Lexington
Other Locations: United States-Kentucky-Louisville, United States-Tennessee-Brentwood, United States-Tennessee-Chattanooga, United States-Tennessee-Nashville
Industry: Water
Schedule: Full-time
Employee Status: Regular
Business Class: Dams Levees Civil Works
Job Posting: Jul 7, 2026

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.