Transportation Principal Project Manager

HDR; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 166,000 - 333,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits package

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Principal Project Manager to lead multidisciplinary infrastructure programs, guiding delivery across engineering, construction, and environmental disciplines. You will advise clients on technical and regulatory aspects while ensuring program execution aligns with contract scope and profitability.

The role demands strong leadership, advanced PM skills, and a proven track record managing high-value projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Sciences, Planning, Business Administration or related field
• Master’s degree in a closely related field preferred
• PMIS/CMIS familiarity and strong scheduling, cost control, and document management skills
• Licenses/certifications: PE, PMP, PgMP, AICP, CCM are preferred
• 10+ years program management experience with at least 4 years as a Senior Program Manager

Responsibilities

• Lead multidisciplinary infrastructure programs with high technical complexity and non-technical intricacies
• Advise clients on technical, regulatory, financial, and community aspects to ensure program success
• Plan, direct, and monitor all program execution across multiple disciplines
• Identify issues and risks; provide strategic advice and timely decision-making
• Develop program management plans, startup plans, and work plans to drive efficiency and accountability
• Direct large program teams or mega-projects and ensure contract scope compliance
• Monitor team performance and establish QA/QC programs
• Support growth of HDR’s program management services and client relationships

Skills

Leadership

Communication

PMIS

CMIS

Scheduling

Cost control

Document management

Risk management

Dashboard analytics

Team building

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management/Planning/Sciences/Business Admin

Master’s degree in Engineering/Construction Management/Sciences/Planning/Business Admin

Tools

PMIS

CMIS

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.

Principal Project Manager roles at HDR are considered to be the very top echelon of Project Managers in our business group, delivering the largest/most complex programs facing our clients. Additionally, the Principal Project Managers are part of our Transportation Leadership team and have a seat at the table to discuss ways to improve program delivery at the top of our organization. Ontario Line Program, SR 520 Floating Bridge, South Mountain Freeway in Arizona and Oregon Bridge Delivery Partners Program are just some of the past examples of iconic programs that HDR has delivered through the work of dedicated program teams well led by a Principal Project Manager. Come join us to work on the next generation of legendary Transportation projects.

In the role of a Principal Project Manager, we'll count on you to:

• Assume leadership responsibilities for the management of multidisciplinary infrastructure programs with a high degree of technical complexity and non-technical intricacies.
• Advise clients on the technical, regulatory, financial, and community facets of infrastructure programs, which are all critical to program success. Leverage lessons learned from other programs and industry best management practices to address the specific needs of each client.
• Plan, direct, and monitor all aspects of program execution. This may involve overseeing a broad range of disciplines including, but not limited to: capital planning, change management, commissioning/asset onboarding, communications, construction management, cost control/estimating, document management, environmental planning/compliance, engineering, equity, financial support, organizational strengthening, permitting, planning/design management, program governance, procurement, project management, quality management, real estate, regulatory support, risk management, scheduling, strategic planning, sustainability and resiliency.
• Anticipate and identify potential issues and risks that may impact program implementation, and assist the client with problem-solving, issues resolution, risk mitigation, and timely decision-making. Provide strategic advice and thought leadership. Deploy the required resources to address various program challenges and unanticipated events.
• Develop and implement various plans (program management plans, startup plans and work plans), business processes, and tools to drive efficiencies, emphasize accountability, bring team alignment, and promote transparency.
• Direct the services provided by multiple large program teams or provide day-to-day leadership on a single mega-project.
• Promote alignment within the team through effective and regular communications.
• Secure the resources required to deliver services specified in the contract scope with a focus on contract compliance.
• Monitor team performance and establish a robust QA/QC program to meet client expectations.
• Monitor the financial performance of the program against pre-established financial metrics and adjust as necessary to meet earnings and profitability targets, and control losses.
• Contribute to the growth of HDR’s program management services by (1) building a long-term trusted advisory relationship with clients; (2) looking for opportunities to expand our services to address the needs of existing clients; (3) supporting the pursuit of new program contract opportunities; (4) mentoring and training staff working on programs; and (5) supporting practice-wide initiatives.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Sciences, Planning, Business Administration or closely related field
• DBIA certification
• Experience leading the consultant or owner program management team of at least one [transportation/water/resources] infrastructure program(s) with a capital value of $1 billion
• Knowledgeable of other alternative delivery/contract models, such as public-private partnership (P3), design-build-finance-operate-maintain (DBFOM), and engineering procurement construction (EPC)
• Willingness to travel regularly, and if needed, commute to a client’s site temporarily

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Sciences, Planning, Business Administration or a closely related field
• At least one of the following licenses/certifications recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered: Professional Engineering License (PE or P.Eng), PMI Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, PMI Program Management Professional (PgMP) certification, AICP Certification, or CMAA Certified Construction Manager (CCM) Certification
• Program management experience consistent with the following requirements: A minimum of ten (10) years of program management experience, with at least four (4) years as a Senior Program Manager, and Experience leading as a Senior Program Manager or serving in a similar role on delivery of three or more programs, each with a capital value of $500 million or more, and. Experience delivering concurrent programs with a total value of $500 million or more qualifies as one of the required programs
• Strong leadership skills with experience building a cohesive team culture and managing team members located in various locations
• Excellent communication skills. Comfortable presenting to client executives and in front of a large audience in a public setting
• Management experience with the implementation of projects or programs using alternative and collaborative delivery methods, including design-build (DB), progressive design-build (PDB), and/or construction management at-risk (CMAR)
• Familiar with the various types of tools used to manage large programs - PMIS, CMIS, scheduling, cost control, document management, risk management, asset management, dashboard analytics, etc.
• Experience working in an integrated fashion within a Program Management Office (PMO) comprised of both consultant and client staff

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. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) US: 165,538.00-333,125(depending on location and experience)

Primary Location: United States-Texas-Austin Other Locations: United States-Ohio-Cincinnati, United States-Texas-Round Rock, United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-Florida-Doral, United States-Washington-Bellevue, United States-Missouri-Kansas City, United States-Minnesota-Saint Louis Park, United States-Alabama-Mobile, United States-Florida-Fort Lauderdale, United States-North Carolina-Wilmington, United States-Tennessee-Nashville, United States-New Jersey-Newark, United States-Maryland-Baltimore, United States-Texas-Fort Worth, United States-District of Columbia-Washington DC, United States-New York-White Plains, United States-Texas-Houston, United States-California-Irvine, United States-South Carolina-Charleston, United States-Virginia-Roanoke, United States-New York-Albany, United States-South Carolina-Columbia, United States-Virginia-Vienna, United States-Oregon-Portland, United States-Florida-Orlando, United States-New Hampshire-Bedford, United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-Washington-Seattle, United States-Indiana-Indianapolis, United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, United States-New York-Syracuse, United States-Texas-Dallas, United States-California-San Diego, United States-Virginia-Arlington, United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, United States-Virginia-Glen Allen, United States-Louisiana-Metairie, United States-Virginia-Virginia Beach, United States-Virginia-Newport News, United States-Massachusetts-Boston, United States-Nebraska-Omaha, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-New Jersey-Pennington, United States-California-Sacramento, United States-Connecticut-Rocky Hill, United States-New York-New York, United States-Utah-Salt Lake City, United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-Louisiana-Lafayette, United States-Maryland-Fulton, United States-Arizona-Phoenix, United States-Kentucky-Louisville, United States-Georgia-Atlanta, United States-South Carolina-Greenville, United States-Maine-Portland, United States-Illinois-Rosemont, United States-Pennsylvania-Plymouth Meeting, United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-Louisiana-Baton Rouge, United States-New Jersey-Woodcliff Lake, United States-Illinois-Chicago, United States-Rhode Island-Providence, United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-Tennessee-Brentwood, United States-Ohio-Cleveland, United States-Florida-Tampa, United States-Texas-San Antonio, United States-West Virginia-Charleston, United States-Ohio-Columbus, United States-Kentucky-Lexington

Industry: Highway + Road Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Highways Job Posting: Jul 30, 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.