Senior Project Manager - Transmission Routing and Siting

HDR; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 125,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Parental leave

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

An environmental consulting firm is seeking a Senior Project Manager in Chicago, IL to lead routing and siting solutions for utility infrastructure. The ideal candidate has over 10 years of experience in energy projects, strong leadership capabilities, and expertise in regulatory processes. Responsibilities include project scope management, stakeholder engagement, and team leadership. This full-time position offers competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Prior experience managing technical projects with regulatory approvals.
• Strong background in electric facility routing and siting.
• Detail-oriented and organized.

Responsibilities

• Develop routing and siting solutions for utility infrastructure.
• Prepare technical documentation and project monitoring.
• Manage client relationships and conduct stakeholder collaboration.

Skills

Project management

Regulatory approvals

Routing and siting

Communication

Organizational skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning or related field

10 years in linear projects

5 years of project management experience

Tools

Microsoft Office

Project management software

Job description

Senior Project Manager - Transmission Routing and Siting

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? 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. 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.

What it means for you:

• Opportunity to have an impact on how regional and national energy needs are met
• Opportunity to own and develop your career with a variety of projects and challenges
• Opportunity and exposure to projects in different sectors including water, waste and transportation, for example
• Become an employee‑owner and share in HDR’s success—open to all employees.
• Opportunity to participate in HDR’s practice group that develops and facilitates recommended practices and professional development

What you will do:

• Responsible for developing buildable routing and siting solutions to support utility and developer infrastructure
• Working with project teams including utility and developer staff and consultants
• Working with stakeholders including government agencies, regulators, communities and landowners
• Preparing testimony and technical documentation including studies to present defensible line route and facility site selection
• Preparing and monitoring project scope, schedule, and budget
• Working with and developing newer staff to produce client deliverables
• Building key relationships with HDR and utility staff
• Strategic thinking, networking, client relations and lead development
• Travel on average 10‑20% of the time expected.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Ideal Candidate:

The ideal candidate has prior experience managing and providing technical leadership on projects and is looking for a broader leadership role overseeing all aspects of larger and more complex projects. Candidates have the desire and drive to grow a high‑performing team to help execute these projects. The candidate will have a strong background in routing, siting and supporting regulatory approvals for electric facilities. Expert witness testimony experience is desired. The successful candidate will be expected to perform non‑routine tasks on multiple projects simultaneously; contribute to researching and writing concise technical documents; assist with diverse projects and innovate and follow through to completion of all assigned and delegated tasks. This position requires the ability to work independently and as part of a team as well as complete tasks within tight deadlines. Applicants must be detail‑oriented, organized, effective communicators, and a team player with a strong focus on quality and client service.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in environmental planning, environmental science, community planning, engineering, landscape architecture or related field.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in linear projects involving land acquisition, routing or environmental planning.
• Minimum 8 years experience writing proposals, developing scopes of work, budgets, and schedules for complex environmental projects with multi‑disciplinary teams and multi‑agency efforts with a strong focus on siting and routing studies.
• Experience preparing applications for submittal to state utility regulatory agencies and system operators.
• Experience preparing and providing expert witness testimony.
• Experience and understanding of permit requirements.
• Strong conceptual, organizational, analytical, problem‑solving, and research abilities.
• Ability to support multiple complex and time‑sensitive projects effectively.
• Identify and resolve issues effectively and efficiently.
• Ability to interact with design and construction teams in a positive and proactive manner.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field
• 10 years related experience
• A minimum of 5 years of project management experience
• Familiar with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software
• 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.

Benefits Package:

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.

Compensation:

The salary range for this position in the North Central (U.S.) region is $125,000 - $180,000. (Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions. Temporary and part‑time roles eligible for limited benefits.)

Primary Location:

United States – Minnesota – Saint Louis Park

Employment Details:

Schedule: Full‑time
Employee Status: Regular
Business Class: Environmental Science and Planning
Job Posting Date: January 7, 2026

EEO Statement:

At HDR, we are 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.