Project Manager, Joint-Pole Engineering

HDR; Honolulu (HI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 172,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee-owned culture

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Program Manager, Joint-Pole Engineering in Honolulu to lead the engineering team responsible for evaluating and processing joint-use pole attachments and make-ready design. You will coordinate with utility owners, telecom providers, and construction partners to ensure timely, cost-effective project delivery.

The role requires 7+ years in related engineering, 3+ years leading teams, and 2+ years of program management along with strong knowledge of utility standards and NESC.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a related field is required.
• 7+ years of utility/telecommunications/joint-use engineering experience.
• 3+ years leading engineering teams.
• 2+ years of project or program management experience.
• Experience managing pole attachment review programs and make-ready design.
• Strong understanding of utility construction standards, NESC, and joint-use practices.
• Ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and written, verbal, and interpersonal communication.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support engineering personnel performing attachment reviews and make-ready design to ensure safe, timely, and cost-effective project delivery.
• Manage program performance, resources, budgets, schedules, and workloads to meet service levels.
• Oversee engineering review of wireline, wireless, and overlash attachments for compliance with standards and requirements.
• Oversee development of make-ready designs to accommodate communications attachments on jointly used poles.
• Provide leadership in resolving technical issues affecting approvals, and manage non-engineering tasks such as permitting and ROW acquisition.
• Establish quality control processes and drive continuous improvement in engineering performance and customer service.
• Serve as primary liaison for communications providers, utility partners, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate program performance, risks, priorities, and recommendations to leadership with collaboration.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

NESC standards

Joint-use engineering

Engineering management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

GIS platforms

Asset management systems

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?

We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

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.

The Program Manager, Joint-Pole Engineering

leads the engineering team responsible for evaluating and processing communications company requests to attach facilities to jointly used utility poles and developing make-ready engineering solutions required to accommodate those attachments. The program includes review of wireline, wireless, and overlash attachment applications to ensure compliance with utility standards, safety requirements, clearance criteria, structural loading requirements, and applicable regulations.

This position oversees engineering personnel engaged in application review, field assessments, pole loading analysis, and make-ready design. The Program Manager serves as the primary liaison among utility owners, telecommunications providers, broadband developers, and construction organizations to ensure the timely, accurate, and cost-effective execution of the joint-use engineering process.

As Program Manager, Joint-Pole Engineering, your role will encompass the following:

• Lead and support engineering personnel performing attachment application reviews and make-ready design activities to ensure safe, timely, and cost-effective project delivery.
• Manage program performance, resources, budgets, schedules, and workloads to achieve established service-level objectives.
• Oversee engineering review of wireline, wireless, and overlash attachment applications to ensure compliance with utility standards, operating agreements, codes, and other program-specific requirements.
• Oversee development of make-ready work designs required to accommodate communications attachments on jointly used utility poles.
• Provide leadership in resolving technical issues affecting attachment approvals and project delivery, as well as non-engineering components of projects such as permitting, right-of-way acquisition, and construction activities.
• Establish quality control processes and drive continuous improvement in engineering performance, productivity, and customer service.
• Serve as the primary liaison for communications providers, utility partners, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Communicate program performance, risks, priorities, and recommendations to leadership while fostering collaborative stakeholder relationships.

Preferred Qualifications

• PE license preferred; PMP certification may be considered in lieu of PE licensure.
• Located in Honolulu, HI, or willing to relocate.
• Experience developing engineering cost estimates and program budgets.
• Experience utilizing GIS platforms and related utility asset management systems.
• Experience with joint-use attachment engineering, make-ready design, and construction practices.
• Experience working with County, State, and/or Federal agencies.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• 7+ years of utility, telecommunications, joint-use, or related engineering experience.
• 3+ years of experience leading engineering teams.
• 2+ years of project or program management experience.
• Demonstrated experience managing pole attachment review programs and make-ready engineering design activities.
• Strong understanding of utility construction standards, NESC requirements, and joint-use practices.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational and written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in our employee-owned culture.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 7 years related experience
• A minimum of 2 years project management experience
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• 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.) Honolulu, Hawaii: $120,000 - $172,000Primary Location:United States-Hawaii-Honolulu Industry:Power Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Transmission/Distribution Eng Job Posting:Aug 19, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmitive 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.