Senior Project Development Engineer

HDR; Lansing (MI); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Senior Project Development Engineer to join our Michigan-based Power Generation team. You will lead development efforts for power and energy projects in utility, IPP, industrial, and municipal sectors, coordinating with engineering disciplines and stakeholders across the U.S.

and beyond. Preferred candidates have strong leadership, communication, and analytical skills, with long-term goals in leadership and operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in the Power Market Sector.
• Professional Engineer license recognized by the local licensing board.
• Extensive experience in project execution within power generation.
• Experience developing power generation systems and owner’s engineer projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead development teams across diverse power projects.
• Coordinate with engineering disciplines and stakeholders.
• Monitor project status and communicate updates to clients.
• Provide development engineering support for conceptual design and owner’s engineer tasks.
• Prepare technical memos, bid specifications, cost estimates, and evaluations.

Skills

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Leadership

Mentoring engineers

Budget management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD

Plant 3D

Revit

PLS CAD

AutoPipe

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

HDR is seeking an experienced Senior Project Development Engineer to join our Michigan-based Power Generation team. As a Senior Project Development Engineer, you will be joining a highly capable, multi-discipline team that supports power and energy projects primarily within the utility, Independent Power Producers (IPPs), industrial, institutional, and municipal sectors. Primary duties typically involve leadership of project development teams, coordination with other engineering disciplines, monitoring and communication of project status, and providing development engineering support for conceptual design and owner’s engineer projects on both a technical and contractual level.

Preferred candidates will have significant experience with industrial- and utility-scale power generation systems and equipment, and proven ability to plan, schedule, and lead development projects. Typical deliverables developed by this individual and/or their team include conceptual drawings, heat balances, water balances, technology comparison tables, site due diligence assessments, project pro formas, equipment quotations, project schedules, project cost estimates, bid specifications, pipe and equipment sizing calculations, technical memos, bid evaluations, performance procedure and test reviews, feasibility studies, reports and consulting. Significant experience with the development and specification of power generation systems for simple cycle, combined cycle, cogeneration, distributed generation, reciprocating engine, combined heat and power, and renewables projects is preferred.

Project roles will vary based on the size and type of the project, as well as the capabilities, experience, and preferred focus of the engineer. Project roles will typically consist of lead development engineer and technical consultant. Most tasks will be done in a collaborative manner involving engineers, scientists, real estate/land developers, economists, schedulers, estimators, and designers from across the United States and on occasion other countries. Communication, leadership, and organizational skills as needed to lead a team of professionals, as described above, is required.

The position will require travel for site surveys, technical conferences, client meetings and monitoring of schedule. Travel is typically less than 10%.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Engineering
• Requires a BS degree in either Mechanical, Chemical, or Electrical Engineering or other relevant to Power Generation
• Previous experience with an engineering consulting firm
• Have the ability to handle multiple concurrent assignments.
• Long-term desire and drive to be involved in leadership and/or operations positions is a plus.
• Excellent communication and analytical skills
• Willing to mentor less experienced engineers and EITs.
• Proficient at working within an established schedule and budget

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• A minimum of 10 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 within the Power Market Sector
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software (examples include PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit)
• 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-Michigan-Ann Arbor Other Locations: United States-Michigan-Lansing Industry: Power Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Power Generation Job Posting: Aug 19, 2026

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