West Tunnel Practice Lead

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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.

HDR is a leading engineering and consulting firm focused on creating integrated solutions for water and environmental projects. The Central/West Tunnel Practice Lead will drive the design and construction of hydraulic tunnel projects across the Central and West Regions.

• Direct involvement and oversight on select tunnel projects to manage tunnel related services.
• Advising on and reviewing alternatives analyses and feasibility studies related to tunnels.
• Risk management and awareness of the WBG tunneling portfolio.
• Subconsultant vetting and working with teams for subconsultant risk management including required QA activities and scope provisions.
• Assessment and enhancement of HDR’s capabilities regarding tunnel construction and trenchless technologies including expertise with SEM and NATM.
• Collaboration with HDR’s WBG Tunnel Practice Lead and Geotechnical Cross Sector.
• Verify qualifications and training of field staff assigned to construction phase services related to tunnels.

• Cost engineering support.
• Bench‑depth management for tunnel instrumentation, mechanical, and civil consulting and design support for projects.
• Assessing terrestrial and marine construction capabilities.
• Numerical modeling to support tunnel projects including modeling of ground/structure interaction and underpinning of buildings and utilities.
• Technology coordination for design products and contract documents.
• Site characterization and geotechnical evaluations.
• Construction engineering support.
• Inspections and condition assessments.
• Resiliency, operations, and emergency response issues.

• Master’s degree.
• Ability to communicate and coordinate work within an integrated multidisciplinary team.
• Applicable experience in U.S. focused tunneling design and construction; leading the design and construction of tunnels and underground facilities for major projects.
• Rock mechanics, soil mechanics, and geotechnical engineering expertise.
• Experience with SEM, NATM, SCL, EPBM, and cut‑and‑cover techniques.
• Track record of industry‑facing publications and presentations and active participation in professional organizations.
• Ph.D. in engineering or related field (preferred).
• Experience managing staff, clients and contracts, and hiring staff for an engineering consulting firm.
• Excellent marketing and business development skills; contacts in the business class discipline.
• Experience in numerical analysis (FLAC, UDEC, PHASES2, PLAXIS 2D & 3D, MIDAS GTS, MODFLOW).
• Ground‑structure interaction modelling (FEM or similar).
• Experience in large scale underground projects, urban tunneling, tunnel rehabilitation.
• Prior working experience in construction or as a contractor.
• Robust interpersonal skills and professional demeanor for interacting with clients and design colleagues.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• 10 years of related experience.
• At least 5 years of project management experience.
• Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position (PE or P.Eng).
• MS Office and MS Project experience (Access a plus).
• Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills.
• Active participation in employee‑owned culture (commitment and attitude).

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.

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. We provide a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, and more. The expected compensation range for this position is $116,802 - $231,750 depending on skills, experience, education and geographic location.

United States – Madison, Wisconsin (Primary) – Other locations available across the United States.