Principal Engineer for Airport Design

HDR, Inc.; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 180,000 - 280,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. in the United States seeks a Principal Engineer for Airport Design to lead multi-disciplinary projects, set technical standards, and mentor teams within HDR's employee-owned culture.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Engineering, 20+ years of experience, and a PE license, with a Masters preferred. Applicants will engage with clients and guide design excellence across major airport programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• A minimum of 20 years of experience.
• Professional engineer license (PE or equivalent).
• Extensive experience in project execution.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office as well as standard design software.
• Demonstrated leadership and technical expertise in engineering design.

Responsibilities

• Demonstrate leadership and set the standard of practice in HDR.
• Serve as a senior technical advisor on complex projects.
• Drive project delivery and coordinate multi-disciplinary teams.
• Establish a quality culture and drive design excellence.
• Mentor and develop professionals to grow the practice.
• Attract qualified candidates to HDR.
• Build client relationships and pursue growth opportunities.
• Serve as a thought leader to elevate HDR's capabilities.
• Represent HDR in professional communities to build reputation.

Skills

Leadership

Mentorship

Client relationships

Thought leadership

Education

Masters degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Standard design software

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.

In the role of Principal Engineer for Airport Design, we'll count on you to:

• Demonstrate exceptional leadership and set the standard of practice for a particular area of expertise within HDR
• Serve as a senior technical advisor to multiple projects involving complex technical challenges
• Drive outstanding project delivery and support successful team performance, particularly for projects involving complex multi-disciplinary teams
• Work to establish a quality culture and support innovative solutions to drive design and technical excellence across the organization
• Mentor and develop other professionals within area of expertise to elevate an area of practice across HDR
• Attract highly qualified candidates to join HDR to grow and strengthen the practice.
• Establish client relationships and work with teams to identify and win opportunities to grow the practice across HDR
• Serve as a thought leader for area of expertise to elevate the capabilities of HDR and its professionals
• Represent HDR through participation in professional community to build HDR's reputation as a world-class provider of professional services

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Engineering
• Previous experience with an engineering consulting firm

#LI-EH1

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• A minimum of 20 years of experience
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Extensive experience in project execution
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard design software.
• Must be comfortable being viewed as a technical expert in engineering analysis and design and have proven background of technical leadership on these types of projects
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

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.

Primary Location: United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia

Other Locations: United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh

Industry: Aviation

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Airfield Design

Job Posting: Oct 5, 2026