NY/NJ Highways Business Class Lead

HDR; Newark (NJ); On-site; USD 100,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Disability insurance

Life insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Senior Professional Engineer for their Transportation Business Group in Newark, NJ. This role will focus on highway design leadership, providing guidance on project delivery and client relations. Candidates should have 15 years of experience and a Master's degree in a relevant field, alongside being a registered Professional Engineer in NY and NJ. HDR values an inclusive culture and offers a comprehensive benefits package, making it a premier place for innovative engineering solutions.

Qualifications

• 15 years of highway engineering experience, especially in the New York/New Jersey area.
• Registered Professional Engineer in New York and New Jersey, or ability to obtain within 3 months.
• Experience overseeing large projects with fees >$5M.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical and client leadership for highway design projects.
• Mentor staff and manage production.
• Lead development of market-driven technology approaches.

Skills

Highway engineering experience

Project management

Technical leadership

Client relations

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in a professional field

Master’s Degree in engineering, planning, or related field

Job description

Overview

HDR is an employee-owned organization focused on creating an inclusive culture where everyone is valued and empowered to contribute. HDR believes transportation is foundational to connected, thriving communities and brings together professionals across disciplines to solve mobility challenges with innovation and technical excellence. This is a senior role in HDR’s Transportation Business Group, focused on highway design leadership in the New York/New Jersey area and the Northeast region.

HDR has an immediate opening for a senior level Professional Engineer to provide in-house leadership and guidance related to highway design services, project delivery, and client relations.

Responsibilities

The role encompasses Operations, Project Delivery, and Business Development duties. Specific areas include:

• Operations / Project Management – Provide technical and client leadership for highway design projects, mentor staff, plan and direct technical work, participate in QA/QC for key projects, collaborate with Leaders and teams to deliver solutions meeting client needs, manage production, oversee project services and deliverables, and contribute to staff development and knowledge management. Promote quality standards and HDR brand integrity.
• Business Development – Lead development of client-valued, market-driven technology approaches, maintain client relationships highlighting HDR’s highway design capabilities, develop long-term practice strategy, participate in pursuit and proposal activities, identify market opportunities, and represent HDR at professional organizations.
• Leadership and Compliance – Act as a role model for HDR values, professional standards, and licensing requirements; support transformation initiatives and maintain a culture of quality.

Preferred Qualifications

• 15 years of highway engineering experience with a focus in the New York/New Jersey area.
• Master’s Degree in an engineering, planning, or related field.
• Registered Professional Engineer in New York and New Jersey, or ability to obtain within 3 months of hire.
• Experience with NYSDOT, NYSTA, NYCDOT, NJDOT, NJTA, PANYNJ or similar agencies.
• Experience in staff development, recruiting, mentoring, and professional growth.
• Active involvement with industry associations and a visible market profile.
• Ability to deliver under tight deadlines and balance multiple assignments.
• Experience preparing scopes of work, fee estimates, budgets, and project financial reports.
• Experience delivering design-bid-build, design-build, owner’s representative, and PMC projects.
• Ability to implement training programs, resource planning, marketing plans, and budgets for market sectors.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; ability to develop contracts and capital improvements.
• Experience overseeing large projects with fees >$5M and construction values >$50M.
• Local candidate preference.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a professional, architecture, engineering, or closely related field.
• 10 years of relevant experience.
• Commitment to HDR values and quality.
• Professional registration or equivalent technical experience.
• Experience managing diverse teams and collaborating with cross-functional leaders.
• Demonstrated willingness to participate in HDR’s employee-owned culture.

Other Information

What We Believe: HDR is our company. We collaborate to make great things possible and to strengthen trust with clients and communities. Our Commitment: As employee-owners, we foster an inclusive environment where everyone is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring their authentic selves to work.

HDR’s Employee Network Groups provide belonging and support, and HDR offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, EAP, paid time away, holidays, retirement plan with employer match, tuition reimbursement, and other benefits. Compensation ranges vary by location and experience.

Primary Location: United States - New York - New York; Other Locations: United States - New Jersey - Newark

Industry: Highway + Road • Schedule: Full-time • Employee Status: Regular • BusinessClass: Highways • Job Posting: May 1, 2026

HDR is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories. For more information, visit https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer.