Drinking Water Team Lead (Engineering)

HDR, Inc.; Folsom (CA); On-site; USD 126,000 - 196,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Dental & Vision

Short/Long-term Disability

Life Insurance

Retirement match

Paid time off

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Drinking Water Team Lead in California to oversee production section operations, staff development, and project management for water and wastewater facilities.

You will collaborate with cross-functional teams on marketing, technical services, and client engagement, while ensuring quality and compliance in project delivery. Ideal candidates hold an engineering master’s degree and at least 10 years of relevant experience.

Qualifications

• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Good leadership and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Assist in operations of the production section including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support.
• May function as an Assistant Project Manager and assist in responsibility for production on projects in addition to management responsibilities.
• Lead and coordinate services with other sections and ensure work is planned, organized, controlled and evaluated through proactive project management.

Skills

Strong communication

Multitasking

Leadership

Organizational skills

Education

MS in engineering fields (Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Environmental)

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience

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'

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.

In the role of Drinking Water Team Lead, we'll count on you to:

• Assist in the responsibility for operations of production section including staff development, profitability, morale, quality control and marketing support
• May function as an Assistant Project Manager and assist in responsibility for production on projects in addition to management responsibilities
• Assist with administrative responsibility for section staff and technical service functions, and lead and coordinate services with other sections
• Be involved in marketing planning, proposals and interviews
• Be directly involved with industrial and public clients in marketing, project production and related issues
• Assist in ensuring that all work is planned, organized, controlled and evaluated through proactive project management system
• Implement, monitor and support company policy
• Assist in the selection, training, development and management of technical personnel
• Work cooperatively with National Directors and marketing staff in local and national marketing and production efforts
• Perform other duties as needed

Staff and Resource Management

• Supervise and advocate for staff
• Mentor staff and perform AROs. Focus on staff development
• Manage resources, workload, and staff UT
• Coordinate staff assignments
• Identify and lead section recruiting needs
• Manage and report section UT to BCL
• Update BCL on section activities

Technical Excellence

• Promote technical excellence and knowledge sharing
• Support and guide development of staff
• Organize and encourage participation in practice groups and technical communities

Project Delivery and Quality Oversight

• Monitor and support company policy / compliance
• Provide technical support and quality oversight. Actively manage risks
• Support delivery of projects. Identify risks and coordinate with BCL
• Promote adherence to quality management processes and delivery best practices
• Collaborate with BCL to perform scope and fee reviews prior to Project Contract Review Form (PCRF) submissions
• Manage and deliver work consistent with technical skill sets

Business Development and Industry Engagement

• Support business development and marketing activities such as proposals and pursuits
• Support BCL strategy
• May serve as Client Manager or Project Manager on select projects/clients
• Coordinate with BCL on industry engagement and professional organization attendance
• Provide client engagement and may present at professional organizational conferences

Preferred Qualifications

• MS in relevant Engineering fields (Civil, Mechanical, Chemical, Electrical, Environmental) preferred.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience
• Technical experience with design (rehab and replacement) and construction of water, wastewater, and stormwater pipeline and pumping stations.
• Project management experience leading the planning and design of drinking water/wastewater/stormwater pipeline and pumping station projects. Experience working with multi-discipline teams to complete contract drawings, specifications, and engineering estimates for water utility projects
• Local candidates are preferred.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 7 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

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, 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 $126,466.00 - $196,375.00 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Primary Location: United States-California-Walnut Creek Other Locations: United States-California-Folsom Industry: Water Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Water Treatment Job Posting: Nov 6, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative 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.