Principal Project Manager - Hydraulic Modeling

HDR; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 150,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee-owned culture

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Hydraulic Modeling Principal Project Manager to lead and grow our North Carolina Water Business Group. The role involves pursuing, planning, managing, and delivering all aspects of utility management projects across the region.

Preferred candidates will have 15+ years in hydraulic modeling, a PE license in NC, and strong leadership and communication skills, with experience in ArcGIS Pro and project budgeting. Primary locations include Raleigh and other NC sites.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is required.
• 15+ years related experience in utility hydraulic modeling and infrastructure engineering design.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license recognized by NC licensing board.
• MS Office and MS Project experience required; Access a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and deliver hydraulic modeling projects within HDR's North Carolina Water Group.
• Develop scopes, schedules, and budgets for utility projects.
• Mentor staff and collaborate with HDR leaders, operations teams and clients.
• Engage in client presentations, proposals, and negotiations as needed.
• Support project delivery including planning, contracts, and risk assessments.

Skills

Hydraulic modeling

Project management

Leadership

ArcGIS Pro

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

MS in Civil or Environmental Engineering

Tools

MS Project

MS Office

AutoCAD Civil 3D

Job description

HDR is looking for a Hydraulic Modeling Principal Project Manager to join our North Carolina Water Business Group. The successful candidate will be involved with all aspects of our Water Business Group program. This position will collaborate with and leverage HDR staff across the company and teams to develop solutions for our clients. The primary duties of this position include pursuing, planning, managing, and delivering all aspects of utility management projects. They will also be expected to:

• Actively lead our growing North Carolina modeling services.
• Collaborate with HDR technical leaders, operations leaders, market sector directors, project managers, and project teams to deliver world class quality modeling services.
• Actively engage with the local project teams and assist in Go/No-Go discussions, project risk assessments, SOQs, proposals, interviews, and negotiations as required.
• Participate in client relationship management, client presentations, conference presentations, and interviews.
• Participate in scope, schedule, and budget development for projects.
• Provide project delivery support including planning, contract administration and management, technical consulting, and subcontract management.
• Actively participate in AWWA or WEF and NC One Water.
• Mentor and develop other employees.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in North Carolina
• MS in Civil or Environmental Engineering or related field
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in utility hydraulic modeling and infrastructure engineering design
• Knowledge and experience with wastewater collection system and/or water distribution system hydraulic modeling software
• Willing to learn and grow technical and professional skills to meet client and market needs
• Must have excellent communication skills and thrive working in a team environment
• Prior experience leading teams, managing projects, assisting with project budgeting
• Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro, mapping and analysis
• Experience working for a public, municipal, or investor-owned water and/or wastewater utility, public works department, or engineering consulting firm is beneficial
• Local candidates are preferred

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 15 years related experience
• A minimum 7 years project management 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.
• MS Office and MS Project experience is required (Access experience would be plus)
• Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

Primary Location: United States-North Carolina-Raleigh. Other Locations: United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-North Carolina-Wilmington, United States-North Carolina-Asheville. Industry: Water. Schedule: Full-time. Employee Status: Regular. Business Class: Utility Management Services. Job Posting: May 21, 2026.

HDR is committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.