Principal Program Manager

Principal Program Manager

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? 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. HDR is seeking an exceptional Principal Program Manager to serve as a trusted, executive-level advisor to public agency clients. The role is expected to provide strategic leadership to state DOTs and regional partners on a once-in-a-generation, multi-billion-dollar investment replacing a critical interstate infrastructure. This leader should be prepared to direct one of the most visible and complex infrastructure programs in North America, requiring seamless coordination across states, multiple federal agencies, tribal governments, and regional stakeholders, while delivering a resilient, multimodal crossing over a sensitive and highly regulated waterbody.

This role demands a globally recognized leader in mega-program delivery who brings demonstrated success overseeing large-scale bridge, interstate, and corridor programs of national significance, integrating engineering excellence with environmental stewardship, political acumen, and innovative delivery strategies. The successful candidate will operate at the highest levels of technical, strategic, and executive leadership — shaping outcomes that will define regional mobility and economic vitality for decades.

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

• Provide executive leadership for a multi-billion-dollar infrastructure effort involving complex governance across states
• Work in partnership with state DOTs to guide a program governance framework, aligning decision authority, accountability, and escalation across state DOTs, FHWA, FTA, USCG, and other regulatory bodies
• Lead and integrate large, multidisciplinary teams across agencies, consultants, and contractors, aligning approaches in a high-visibility, politically complex environment
• Serve as a senior advisor to agency executives, elected officials, partner agencies, and consultants, helping navigate interjurisdictional priorities and maintaining program momentum.

• Provide expert guidance on federal permitting, NEPA processes, ESA compliance, Section 404/401, navigation requirements, and environmental stewardship for a major infrastructure project
• Anticipate and manage risks unique to mega projects such as bridge delivery over sensitive waterways, including constructability, marine navigation, seismic resilience, supply chain volatility, and climate impacts
• Lead integrated risk management and decision-making processes across agencies, driving timely, defensible actions in a highly scrutinized environment.
• Apply global best practices from major bridge and corridor programs to optimize delivery, minimize disruption, and enhance long-term system performance.
• Contribute to the advancement of HDR's leadership in nationally significant bridge and corridor programs, mentoring staff and strengthening technical excellence.

• Develop and operationalize a comprehensive Program Management Plan tailored to a multi-agency structure, establishing industry-leading processes, controls, and governance tools
• Stand up and lead integrated program functions including environmental planning and permitting; bridge and corridor design management; marine and in-water construction coordination; cost, schedule, and risk analytics; QA/QC and technical oversight; right-of-way and community impact mitigation; and other core program functions
• Implement advanced PMIS, digital engineering, and data-driven decision frameworks to deliver transparency and accountability at program scale.

• Direct all phases of delivery, smoothly transitioning from planning and environmental clearance into design, procurement, and construction of a major interstate bridge crossing and associated major corridor improvement projects
• Lead alternative delivery strategies, including progressive design-build, design-build, and other innovative procurement models, suitable for mega programs
• Coordinate complex marine construction staging, navigation impacts, and river system considerations, minimizing disruption to commerce and ecosystems
• Deliver seamless integration of multimodal elements, including highway, transit, active transportation, and intelligent transportation system.

• Manage a rigorous program-wide QA/QC framework delivering technical excellence and regulatory compliance across all disciplines
• Oversee financial performance for a multi-billion-dollar capital program, including funding alignment across federal and state sources
• Track and drive performance across cost, schedule, safety, quality, environmental compliance, and community outcomes
• Oversee full compliance with federal oversight requirements and grant conditions.

• Serve as a lead representative for the program in engagements with federal agencies, state leadership, tribal nations, local governments, port authorities, and the public
• Shape and execute engagement strategies that address the unique sensitivities of a bi-state river crossing with significant community, environmental, and economic impacts
• Communicate complex technical and regulatory issues clearly and persuasively to diverse audiences, building trust and maintaining public confidence.

• Advise on and advance federal funding strategies, including discretionary grants and multi-agency funding coordination
• Support long-term financial planning and innovative funding approaches necessary for large interstate infrastructure programs

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in engineering, Construction Management, Planning, Business Administration, or related field
• DBIA certification or equivalent in alternative delivery leadership
• Demonstrated leadership of mega-programs ($1B+) involving major bridge or water crossings
• Extensive experience navigating federal permitting and environmental approvals for large infrastructure over waterways
• Proven success leading multi-jurisdictional infrastructure programs of national or regional significance
• Deep expertise in innovative delivery models (PDB, DB, P3, DBFOM, EPC) for complex transportation systems
• Current Professional Engineering Licenses (or ability to obtain in applicable jurisdictions within six months)
• Willingness to travel regularly, and if needed, commute to a client's site

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.