Project Principal Engineer

HDR, Inc.; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Principal Water and Wastewater Engineer to lead growth of our water and wastewater practice in the Texas Gulf Coast, initially focusing on Houston.

The role combines technical leadership with business development, client engagement, and staff mentoring across multi-discipline teams through the project lifecycle. Ideal candidates have 15+ years of related experience, a Bachelor’s in Engineering, PE license, PMP is preferred, and strong skills in leadership, project

Qualifications

• Requires Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered.
• 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

Responsibilities

• Provide leadership and direction with assessing the marketplace, client engagement, and strategies to win and secure contracts to grow the water and wastewater business.
• Support area Business Development Manager with growth initiatives in water and wastewater market sectors.
• Collaborate with area leaders to identify and track opportunities and engage clients.
• Serve as Client Service Leader for select clients and drive client satisfaction and relationships.
• Develop relationships with senior leadership in key client organizations and industry counterparts.
• Oversee multi-discipline project teams from development through close-out, ensuring schedule and budget adherence.
• Direct staffing, mentoring, and staff development; actively engage in recruiting HDR professionals.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Business development

QA/QC

Client relations

Mentoring

Recruiting

Staff supervision

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Office

MS Project

Access

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 work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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.

We believe water is more than a resource, it’s a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you’re modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

HDR has an exceptional career opportunity for an experienced water industry professional to serve in a leadership position as a Principal Water and Wastewater Engineer. In this role, you will collaborate with our Area Water Business Group Manager and Business Development Manager to drive key initiatives and grow our water and wastewater practice in the Texas Gulf Coast region, with initial focus on the Houston area and surrounding cities and municipalities North/Northwest of Houston. You will work with the Area Water Business Group Manager, Business Development Manager, Professional Services Lead, Project Delivery Lead, Market Sector Leads, and Client Service Leaders to develop and implement technical and business development strategies. In addition, this role includes serving as Principal-in-Charge, Project Manager, and / or Technical Advisor / Quality Manager for project delivery. Work products in this area are broad and are expected to include planning studies, a range of utility management services, design, and support during construction. Your primary duties will include identifying, pursuing, and securing opportunities with new and existing clients, mentoring staff, delivering projects, and growing our water and wastewater business portfolio. Providing leadership through mentoring, directing, and delegating to staff is a key component of the role as is maintaining focus on the execution of HDR’s growth strategy.

In the role of Project Principal Water and Wastewater Engineer, we’ll count on you to:

• Provide leadership and support with assessing the marketplace, pre-positioning through client engagement, and determining strategies needed to win and secure contracts to expand our water and wastewater business
• Support area Business Development Manager with developing and driving area water and wastewater market sector growth initiatives
• Collaborate with area business development leaders to identify and track potential opportunities
• Serve as the Client Service Leader for select clients and be active and visible in the industry
• Establish client relations and engage marketing activities
• Develop relationships with senior leadership in key client organizations
• Develop relationships with industry counterparts in other consulting and construction organizations
• Take on Principal-in-Charge assignments that leverage this leadership role by driving client satisfaction, staff development, technical excellence, and mentoring opportunities
• As Project Manager, direct and coordinate work of single or multidiscipline teams throughout the project’s lifecycle (from development & initiation to close-out)
• Produce and coordinate several projects concurrently
• Participate in contractual, design and production meetings as part of project delivery roles
• Conduct work sessions for deliverable development in conjunction with other staff and stakeholders
• Coordinate staffing and workload through entire project development to complete documents on schedule
• Track financial aspects of projects, and coordinate and adjust work effort with team to ensure that work is completed within parameters of agreed-to budget and schedule
• Work with the Accounting, Operational and Business leadership for periodic project reviews
• Implement and direct staff on proper use of QA/QC procedures
• Supervise large project teams and act as mentor for less-experienced Project Managers
• Actively engage in recruiting staff to join HDR and grow our water and wastewater services in the area
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

PMP certification

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

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-Texas-Houston

Industry

Water

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass : Pump Stations and Pipelines

Job Posting

Oct 26, 2026

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

We are an affirmative action and Equal Opportunity Employe r.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.