Transportation Planning Section Manager

HDR; Walnut Creek (CA); On-site; USD 153,000 - 236,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Medical, dental, vision benefits

Retirement savings plan with employer

Paid time away & holidays

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Transportation Planning Section Manager in California to lead a multidisciplinary team in delivering complex transportation planning projects. You will manage staff, pursue new business, and coordinate with other sections while ensuring high-quality client service.

The role requires extensive experience in transportation planning, strong leadership, and excellent communication. HDR emphasizes employee ownership, inclusion, and a collaborative culture with opportunities for

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• Minimum 10 years experience.
• Professional registration may be required based on role.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Good leadership and organizational skills.
• Active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.
• Master’s degree in Planning, Engineering, or related discipline preferred.
• Professional registration such as AICP, PE, PTOE, PTP, PMP preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant transportation planning experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage staff, training, business development, pursuit and major transportation planning projects.
• Oversee NorCal Transportation Planning Section operations including staffing, workload, and marketing support.
• Develop and coordinate staff and products to meet client needs and market drivers.
• Coordinate services with other sections and administrative leadership.
• Participate in marketing plans, proposals and interviews.
• Plan, direct and monitor large multi-disciplinary transportation projects.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Analytical thinking

Interpersonal skills

Written communication

Multitasking

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Master’s degree (preferred)

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'

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 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.

In the role of Transportation Planning Section Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Serve a key member of the Transportation Planning Business Class and be responsible for the management of staff, training, business development, pursuit, and management of major transportation planning projects.
• Take responsibility for operations of NorCal Transportation Planning Section including staff development, utilization, workload management, project staffing, recruiting, morale, quality control and marketing support.
• Take responsibility for the management, development, coordination, monitoring, and improvement of section staff and products to meet client needs and market drivers.
• Take administrative responsibility for NorCal Transportation Planning Section staff and technical service functions and lead and coordinate services with other sections.
• Be involved in marketing planning, proposals and interviews.
• See that all work is planned, organized, controlled and evaluated through proactive project management system.
• Function as Project Manager and take responsibility for production on projects in addition to project management responsibilities.
• Manage and develop multidiscipline teams.
• Be directly involved with private and public clients in marketing, project production and related issues.
• Implement, monitor and support company policy.
• Work cooperatively with National Directors and marketing staff in local and national marketing and production efforts.
• Engage in high profile project pursuits involving extensive client interactions in coordination with Area Business Development Leader.
• Plan, direct, and monitor all aspects of large multi-disciplinary transportation planning projects including but not limited to local and regional multi‑modal transportation plans, travel demand and ridership forecasting, multi‑modal modeling and simulation, zero‑emissions mobility planning, transportation policy analysis. and impact studies, traffic operational studies, regulatory reviews, private development, bus and rail transit studies, and environmental documents.
• Lead scope development and execution in conjunction with appropriate technical professionals in multiple transportation and environmental disciplines.
• Actively drive open communication of current/projected production needs and collaborate with management to influence staffing and expertise levels.
• Participate in and provide input to the Annual Budgeting and Strategic Planning process in collaboration with Area, Regional, National, and Global leadership.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Planning, Engineering, or related discipline required.
• Professional registration such as AICP, PE, PTOE, PTP, PMP preferred.
• 10+ years of relevant experience with transportation planning projects and programs required.
• Must have well‑developed analytical, organizational, interpersonal, and written communication skills.
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience
• A minimum of 10 years experience
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
• Strong communication and listening skills
• Ability to handle multiple assignments
• Good leadership and organizational 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. Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $152,775.00 - $235,710.00 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Primary Location

United States-California-Oakland

Other Locations

United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-California-Santa Clara

Industry

Highway + Road

Schedule

Full‑time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass

Transportation Planning

Job Posting

Sep 16, 2026

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

https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.