Managing Principal - Building Structures

HNTB; Oklahoma City (OK); On-site; USD 180,596 - 360,607; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Oklahoma City seeks a Managing Principal to lead the Building Structures practice. You will oversee a team of structural engineers, responsible for delivering innovative infrastructure solutions for various markets including sports, aviation, and transportation. This role demands strong leadership and business development capabilities, with at least 15 years of relevant experience and a focus on expanding the practice into new markets. The firm offers a competitive salary and is committed to employee empowerment and community impact.

Qualifications

• 15 years of relevant experience required.
• Experience in managing client relationships and delivering projects.
• Experience in complex building structures projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of structural engineers in design and delivery.
• Direct and supervise multiple studio locations.
• Manage resources and be accountable for group sales and contributions.

Skills

Leadership skills

Business development

Communication skills

Organizational abilities

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, or related field

Job description

What We’re Looking For

At HNTB, you have the opportunity to build a career that is not only meaningful to you, but transformative for the communities we serve. For more than a century, HNTB has delivered some of the nation’s most complex and impactful infrastructure projects – and with our historic growth across the country, this is a defining moment to help shape what comes next. As an employee‑owned firm, we empower leaders who want to build something lasting.

About the Role

This role is designed for a Managing Principal who is energized by growth, someone eager to expand the Building Structures practice into new markets, new clients, and new opportunities beyond our current footprint. You will lead a team of structural engineers responsible for the design, development, and delivery of structural solutions for sports, aviation, transit, and transportation infrastructure, while also serving as a catalyst for market expansion and business development.

The Managing Principal drives both practice performance and practice growth. This includes full accountability for scope, schedule, budget, and quality, as well as ownership of the group’s financial health and alignment with office and division objectives. You will partner closely with leadership across the office and division to identify untapped markets, cultivate new client relationships, and apply HNTB’s strategic sales and planning approaches to win work where we are not yet established.

Beyond pursuit leadership, this position is about building capability – coordinating project priorities, staffing plans, and resource strategies to support growth at scale. You will develop and mentor high‑performing leaders, attract and retain top technical talent, and create an environment where teams can thrive while delivering exceptional client value. Managing Principals typically lead organizations of 25 people and often 40 or more through direct and indirect reports, making this a role with significant visibility, influence, and long‑term impact.

This is an opportunity for a leader who wants more than stewardship – someone ready to grow the business, shape the market, and leave a legacy.

What You’ll Do

• Direct and supervise multiple studio locations within specialty markets (Sports, Aviation, Transit, etc.).
• Lead project pursuits and be responsible for delivery priorities, staffing schedules, and staff assignments to ensure clients receive the best design capabilities to meet their needs.
• Implement and execute the firm’s processes throughout the project lifecycle such as the Sophisticated Sales Approach (SSA), Sophisticated Contracting Approach (SCA), Sophisticated Delivery Approach (SDA) and Sophisticated Approach to People (SAP).
• Manage group resources and be accountable for the group’s sales, contributions, and earning goals, growth and hiring targets, and the success of each studio within the scope.
• Recruit, hire, develop, and retain staff including performance and compensation reviews and succession planning.
• Partner with or act as Project Manager to ensure 4for4 delivery on every project – quality work, on time, on schedule, and to client satisfaction.
• Serve as primary client liaison in developing, marketing, and maintaining key executive client relationships in accordance with office strategic plans.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, or related field and 15 years of relevant experience.

What You’ll Bring

• Demonstrated leadership and business development skills.
• Ability to develop, grow and lead high‑performing teams.
• Strong organizational abilities and ability to establish delivery and quality control processes.
• Ability to successfully manage client relationships and deliver projects.
• Strong communication skills.

What We Prefer

• SE and/or PE (multi‑state licensure a plus).
• Strong record of mentoring and developing senior technical staff.
• Experience in complex and signature building structures projects, such as commercial, institutional, aviation, transit or public facilities.
• Proven ability to originate, pursue, and win work beyond an existing client base.
• Demonstrated success in business development and growing a building structures practice, including expansion into new markets and client sectors.
• Established relationships with architects, developers, owners and public agencies, with the ability to open doors and create new client partnerships.
• Demonstrated ability to build and scale teams, including recruiting senior talent in competitive markets.
• Experience collaborating across disciplines (architecture, construction, transportation, aviation, etc.) to deliver quality solutions for clients.
• Experience working within a large, multi‑office AEC organization while maintaining an entrepreneurial growth‑oriented mindset.

Additional Information

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

#ET

Locations: Bellevue, WA (Seattle); Des Moines, IA; Kansas City, MO; Los Angeles, CA (Figueroa Street); Oklahoma City, OK; Overland Park, KS (Sprint Parkway); St. Louis, MO.

The approximate pay range for Los Angeles Metro Area and Orange County, CA is $207,686.38 – $331,758.78. The approximate pay range for the Greater Seattle, WA Metro Area is $207,686.38 – $331,758.78. The approximate nationwide pay range for this position is $180,596.86 – $360,607.36. Compensation will be dependent on factors including individual qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities and physical work location.

Equal Opportunity Employer / Disability / Veteran

Job Type: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full time

Job Category: Architecture Group

ReqID: R-29870