Southern California Wastewater Market Sector Leader

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?

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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.

Employee-owned HDR is an industry leader in the wastewater market. Ranked #7 by ENR in wastewater, HDR partners with our clients to support the development and implementation their water management strategies across the complete hydrological cycle. Our goal is to assist clients with the myriad of challenges they face and help them navigate changing regulations, aging infrastructure, increased nutrient loadings due to water conservation, and customer concerns. From wastewater treatment and conveyance to establishing regular maintenance procedures for pipelines and other equipment, we are here to partner with our clients and the communities they serve.


HDR has an excellent career opportunity for a Wastewater Market Sector Leader that is passionate about protecting public health and understands the "One Water" concept and the inherent synergies between the wastewater, potable water, and stormwater markets. We are looking for someone who will work in a collaborative manner with local and national leadership to set the vision and strategy of the Southern California program to expand and provide research, planning, design and engineering services to wastewater agencies, related clients in other sectors, and relevant research organizations. In the role of Wastewater Market Sector Lead for the Southern California Area, career growth potential exists in multiple areas across the Southern California Area and/or nationally along operations, technical, and/or client development career paths.

Key for this role will be connecting and contributing to the communities and organizations that support and drive the future of the wastewater industry. As the SoCal Market Sector Lead, the candidate will interface with regional and national technology and market sector leaders to advance local capabilities as well as support strategic wastewater projects across the company, as they align with candidate's expertise. The candidate will engage in industry associations and forums and take leadership roles in such organizations, including committee participation and regular submission of conference abstracts/proceedings and will encourage their team to also actively engage and contribute to professional organizations and publications.

This leader will serve as a client manager to select agencies, and as appropriate will serve as either Principal in charge, Project Manager, Technical Lead and/or Quality Manager on projects. This individual will identify and develop new project opportunities, serve as a pursuit champion, and act as a resource for HDR pursuits where assistance is needed relative to the wastewater market. The types of projects and pursuits will include studies, master planning and rate studies, design (pipelines, pump stations, and treatment plants), and facility/system optimization. In addition, the Wastewater Market Sector Lead will support HDR's One Water Institute by leading and/or participating in applied research projects, such as those with the Water Research Foundation. This individual will also be responsible to actively manage the wastewater Market Sector staff in HDR's SoCal offices - in coordination with and support from the Water Business Group Manager and wastewater Market Sector Director.

Preferred Qualifications

• This position requires a B.S. degree in Engineering and a Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Minimum of 15+ years of industry experience, almost exclusively with clients and projects in Southern California and strong ability to analyze the marketplace and strategically position HDR.
• Familiar with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in an engineering, planning or a related field
• A minimum of 10 years of industry experience
• Experienced in development and management of strategic marketing programs for planning and/or engineering services
• Experienced in development and management of a wide range of client relationships and specific program and/or project pursuits
• Experienced in overall staff development to include recruiting, career path and professional growth
• Experienced with industry associations and maintains a visible profile in the market sector
• Ability to work cooperatively with Regional Market Sector Directors, Market Sector Directors, Business Class Directors, Regional Business Group Directors, Area Business Group Managers, Area Marketing Managers and Area Managers
• Demonstrated commitment to HDR values. 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. 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.) Irvine: $168,000 - $276,000 Primary Location: United States-California-Irvine Other Locations: United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-California-Long Beach, United States-California-Pasadena, United States-California-San Diego, United States-California-Ventura, United States-California-Riverside Industry: Water Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: WW Treatment and Effluent Mgmt Job Posting: Jan 7, 2026