Senior Digital Designer

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Vienna (VA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Senior Digital Designer to lead model-based design for transportation and linear infrastructure projects. You will establish workflows, guide model authors, and coordinate multidisciplinary information to deliver high-quality outputs aligned with client requirements.

You will focus on transit and freight rail design while coordinating digital design delivery across disciplines, advancing BIM and model-based processes within HDR’s Transportation Business Group.

Qualifications

• Technical degree or a combination of education and related industry experience.
• Minimum 5 years of related industry experience.
• Advanced skillset with 3D design software and document management.
• Proficiency with CAD/BIM platforms and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Excellent communication and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead model-based design for transportation projects from setup to delivery.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary model information and ensure quality.
• Develop and implement the Digital Delivery/BIM Execution Plan.
• Oversee model health, reviews, and clash detection.
• Mentor junior designers and collaborate with project managers.

Skills

communication

attention to detail

collaboration

Education

Technical degree or equivalent in civil engineering tech/related

Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering tech/geomatics or related

Tools

Bentley software

Autodesk software

ProjectWise / Autodesk Forma

3D design coordination tools

Microsoft Office

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'

We believe transportation is more than movement, it’s the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR’s Transportation Business Group, you’ll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around 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.

As a Senior Digital Designer, you will lead model-based design delivery for transportation and linear infrastructure projects. You will establish practical digital design workflows, guide model authors, coordinate multidisciplinary model information, and help project teams deliver consistent, high-quality models and model-derived outputs aligned with project and client requirements. This position will provide digital design leadership primarily for transit and freight rail work while coordinating model-based delivery across disciplines and project teams.

In the role of Senior Digital Designer, we’ll count on you to:

• Serve as digital design or modeling lead for small to large projects or for a major discipline, corridor, facility, or segment of a megaproject.
• Lead development, coordination, and delivery of complex 2D and 3D design models and associated design data from project setup through final delivery and closeout.
• Coordinate the translation of engineering direction, survey and existing-conditions information, calculations, design criteria, and multidisciplinary requirements into consistent model-based design solutions.
• Translate project requirements into model breakdown structures, file architecture, naming conventions, model responsibilities, information exchanges, level-of-development and level-of-information need expectations, and delivery milestones.
• Lead or coordinate development and implementation of the Digital Delivery/BIM Execution Plan, including BIM uses, model responsibilities, information requirements, model production and delivery tables, and delivery milestones.
• Lead federated model and multidisciplinary coordination reviews; establish issue-management processes, assign resolution responsibilities, and verify closure of clashes, gaps, data issues, and workflow constraints.
• Lead model-based quality reviews, model health assessments, and audits for compliance with client, project, and HDR requirements.
• Oversee model-derived plans, sheets, quantities, visualizations, data exchanges, and construction-support information to maintain consistency among approved design intent, models, and published deliverables.
• Evaluate and apply managed workspaces, common data environments, automation, interoperability methods, and emerging technologies that improve quality and efficiency.
• Collaborate with project managers and technical leads to define and manage digital design scope, fee, schedule, staffing, quality, risks, and delivery expectations.
• Provide formal technical guidance and mentoring to digital designers and model authors; share repeatable practices and help resolve complex modeling and coordination issues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate or bachelor’s degree, technical degree, or certificate in civil engineering technology, engineering, geomatics, digital design, CAD/BIM, or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and relevant experience.
• Advanced experience delivering model-based roadway, rail, transit, aviation, bridge, utility, site, or other linear infrastructure design.
• Understanding of transportation design concepts, engineering drawings, spatial relationships, file organization, model standards, and document-management practices.
• Advanced proficiency or certification in relevant Bentley, Autodesk, or other transportation design and coordination platforms.
• Experience working in common data environments, such as ProjectWise or Autodesk Forma and implementing CAD/BIM standards, model-based quality processes, and multidisciplinary coordination workflows.
• Experience exchanging information across CAD, BIM, GIS, analysis, visualization, and document-control platforms, reality capture, GIS integration, clash detection, 4D sequencing, model-based quantities, visualization, digital twins, or digital asset information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and communication tools, with strong attention to detail, organization, collaboration, and written and verbal communication skills.
• Preference given to candidates in the Mid-Atlantic (VA/MD/DC) Area
• #LI-MJ1

Required Qualifications

• Technical degree or a combination of education and related industry experience
• A minimum of 5 years related industry experience
• Advanced skillset of 3D design software and document management infrastructure
• Advanced skillset of 3D Coordination tool
• Competency of Microsoft Office products and communication tools
• Advanced understanding of engineering or architectural concepts
• Knowledge of industry standards and practices, along with discipline codes and specifications
• Excellent communication skills, attention to detail and organizational traits are essential

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

Not specified

Other Locations

United States-District of Columbia-Washington DC, United States-Virginia-Glen Allen, United States-Maryland-Baltimore, United States-Maryland-Fulton

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass : Railway Design

Job Posting

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

We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employee.

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

Ready to learn more? Let's work together to make great things possible.

We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges. We're always looking for great talent to join our global teams.