Wastewater Treatment Business Class Lead

HDR; Salem (OR); On-site; USD 149,352 - 213,360; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Competitive benefits

Job summary

HDR is seeking a dynamic leader to join the Oregon Wastewater Treatment team as a Business Class Lead. You will guide technical excellence, mentor staff, and partner with clients to deliver innovative wastewater solutions that protect public health and the environment.

The role focuses on master planning, design, and construction, spanning regional and national initiatives while expanding HDR’s wastewater portfolio in Oregon.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field.
• 10 years of experience in wastewater treatment planning or design.
• Engineering registration and strong team-management experience.
• Active involvement in industry organizations preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop wastewater treatment teams across Oregon.
• Manage complex wastewater projects from planning through construction.
• Serve as Project Manager on regional and area-wide projects.
• Advance technical capabilities in nutrient removal, solids handling, and condition assessment.
• Build and strengthen HDR’s technical leadership through collaboration with experts.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Team Building

Mentoring

Technical Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Master’s degree preferred

Job description

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists. That's why we believe diversity is our greatest strength. HDR is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

We believe water is more than a resource, it's a shared responsibility. As part of our Water Business Group, you’ll help shape how communities manage water for generations to come. From delivering safe drinking water and treating wastewater responsibly to developing sustainable water supplies and protecting lives and property through flood control, your work will directly support public health, environmental sustainability, and infrastructure resilience. We bring together experts across disciplines to solve complex challenges with bold thinking and technical excellence. Whether you're modernizing aging systems or pioneering innovative approaches, your contributions will make a meaningful difference in people’s lives. This isn’t just a job, it's a chance to lead change, drive progress, and leave a lasting legacy.

We have an exciting opportunity for a dynamic leader to join our Oregon Water Business Group as the Wastewater Treatment Business Class Lead (BCL). This is a chance to shape the future of wastewater treatment across Oregon while helping grow a high-performing team and expanding HDR’s impact in the region. In this role, you will lead technical excellence, drive strategic growth, mentor future leaders, and partner with clients to deliver innovative solutions that protect public health and the environment.

As the Oregon Wastewater Treatment BCL, you will work alongside regional and national technology leaders to strengthen local capabilities and support major pursuits and project delivery efforts across the country. You’ll help lead projects spanning master planning, nutrient removal, solids handling, condition assessment, and the design and construction of wastewater treatment facilities. This role offers the opportunity to influence both regional and national initiatives while building lasting client relationships and advancing HDR’s reputation as an industry leader.

In the role of Oregon Wastewater Treatment Business Class Lead, we’ll count on you to:

Leadership & Team Development

• Recruit, mentor, and develop technical staff and future leaders
• Lead and grow multidisciplinary wastewater treatment teams
• Foster a collaborative, high-performing culture focused on innovation and excellence
• Support staff development, utilization, morale, and operational performance

Technical Excellence & Project Delivery

• Lead complex wastewater treatment projects through planning, design, and construction
• Serve as Project Manager on critical regional and area-wide projects
• Advance technical capabilities in areas including nutrient removal, solids handling, and condition assessment
• Promote quality assurance, quality control, and continuous improvement across projects and teams
• Collaborate with regional and national experts to strengthen HDR’s technical leadership

Business Development & Strategy

• Drive strategic growth initiatives and help expand HDR’s wastewater portfolio across Oregon
• Lead and support proposals, interviews, client development, and pursuit strategies
• Collaborate with Water Business Group leadership, regional market sector leads, and client development teams
• Build and strengthen relationships with clients, industry partners, and professional organizations
• Support regional and national marketing and technical initiatives

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree preferred
• Active involvement in industry organizations such as Pacific Northwest Section American Water Works Association, Pacific Northwest Clean Water Association, WEFTEC, or Water Research Foundation
• Proven leadership, mentoring, and team-building experience
• Strong technical background in wastewater treatment planning and design

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in a Professional, Architecture, Engineering or closely related field
• 10 years of experience
• Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values
• Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience experienced in development and management of diverse teams
• Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors and marketing managers on business class efforts
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

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. $149,352.00 to $213,360.00
Primary Location: United States-Oregon-Portland
Other Locations: United States-Oregon-Salem, United States-Oregon-Bend, United States-Washington-Vancouver, United States-Oregon-Ashland
Industry: Water
Schedule: Full-time
Employee Status: Regular
Business Class: WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt
Job Posting: Jul 6, 2026

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.