Lead Programmer

HDR; Colorado Springs (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Programmer Lead to support the USAFA Base Maintenance Contract, located on-site at the United States Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. You will lead planning, programming, and funding activities, coordinating with the Engineering Flight and HHQ authorities to deliver complex facility projects.

Preferred candidates have AF/DoD programming experience, can manage 1391s, and can secure Congressional funding approvals. This role is full-time and requires U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related fields (engineering, architecture, or construction).
• Minimum 10 years experience in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction industry.
• Ability to interact daily with various stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to submit and pass a background check.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Facility AMP and coordinate project authorizations, leading the installation planning team.
• Apply AFI/DAF requirements to planning and programming, securing funding from higher HQ.
• Define project scopes to satisfy current and future mission needs.
• Develop 1391s and ROM estimates using government software.
• Prepare BCAMP documentation and align funding timelines with construction schedules.
• Collaborate with USAF Civil Engineering Ops and mission partners through asset management.

Skills

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

On-site coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/architecture/construction

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. HDR is a Top 10 Architectural & Engineering (A&E) firm in the United States as ranked by Engineering News Record and is also one of the largest employee-owned A&E companies in the United States. HDR has been selected to run the Installation Engineering and Installation Management functions of the Civil Engineer Squadron for the United Stated Air Force Academy (USAFA). As such, we will be placing a multi-disciplinary A&E team of 50+ professionals at the Air Force Academy in Colorado Springs. The contract is expected to begin in early 2026 and covers an eight-year period from 2026 through 2034. The U.S. Air Force Academy is one of the premier universities in our country and is one of the most widely visited locations in all of Colorado. The Air Force Academy has a rich history and a unique mission to educate and train future Air Force leaders. HDR is honored to be selected for these components of the of the Base Maintenance Contract (BMC) in conjunction with Tessera, who will be running and leading the master contract with the Air Force. HDR will be performing wide-ranging facility management services to include but not limited to: planning, programming, design, asset management, construction inspection, energy management, real estate, environmental, cultural resources, space planning, CAD, GIS, cost estimating, and numerous other functions.

Ideal candidates will have knowledge and/or experience with federal contracts and/or the Air Force Civil Engineering Squadron. They will also have a strong enthusiasm to ensure the cadets and future Air Force Leaders live and learn in state-of-the-art facilities and have the necessary resources to serve our country to the best of their abilities.

This position is full time and located on-site at the USAFA.

In the role of Programmer Lead your duties are predominantly intellectual in nature and vary depending on each project’s needs. The position requires discretion and judgment based upon knowledge of Unified Facilities Criteria, Air Force Programming requirements e.g. DAFMAN 32-1084 and Air Force Institute of Technology programming course instruction e.g. WMGT 423. We'll count on you to:

• Be responsible for managing the Facility AMP and coordinate project authorizations independently, reflecting a leadership role within the installation planning team.
• Lean on your deep technical knowledge of AFI 32-1032 and AFI 32-1023 for planning and programming appropriated fund maintenance, repair, and construction projects for garnering funding from higher headquarters.
• Have a deep understanding of the facility programming process to articulate the requirements and benefits of each project to the Air Force as well as any adverse impacts not approving a project may have.
• Identify project requirements (define project scopes) to satisfy current and future mission needs.
• Provide advice and assistance to the Engineering Flight in writing, coordinating, and processing DOD Form 1391s in support of Facility Sustainment Restoration Modernization (FSRM) and Military Construction (MILCON) projects.
• Manage the development of 1391's, threshold reporting and compliance with AFI's.
• Develop rough order of magnitude (ROM) construction cost estimates utilizing government provided software (similar to RS Means).
• Be responsible for a wide range of detailed deliverables including justifications, space requirement calculations, site plans, coordination with HHQ authorization tools, and the integration of funding timelines with construction schedules.
• Provide advice in development of the Base Comprehensive Asset Management Plan (BCAMP).
• Provide advice with documenting requirements and acquiring both the authority and resources necessary to accomplish the work.
• Provide advice with obtaining and verifying information to justify and gain Congressional funding approval.
• Provide advice in support of working with Civil Engineering Operations Flight and other USAFA mission partners through asset management to develop requirements.
• Provide advice in support of generating documentation in pre-acquisition efforts for FSRM and MILCON projects.
• Develop and submit project lists (e.g., BCAMP, MILCON, Unspecified Minor Military Construction (UMMC), Energy Resilience and Conservation Investment Program (ERCIP), etc.).
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 3 years Air Force Civil Engineering Squadron programming experience
• Ability to work in person and on site at United States Air Force Academy
• Ability to pass a background check
• Knowledge of the Unified Facilities Criteria
• Completion of AFIT training courses WMGT 331, 417 & 423, WENG 400 & 500
• Due to client contract requirements, US Citizenship - US Naturalized citizen is required
• This position is subject to a governmental background check

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related fields (preferably engineering, architecture, or construction)
• A minimum of 10 years experience in the Architecture/Engineering/Construction industry
• Ability to interact and work alongside daily with various stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to submit and pass a background check
• 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. 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.) Colorado: $90,000.00 - $130,000.00 Primary Location:United States-Colorado-Colorado Springs Industry:Federal Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Federal PMCM Job Posting:Aug 24, 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.