Controls Section Manager

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected. We foster a culture of inclusion and empower people to bring authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. We constantly ask ourselves what our impact on the world is, and each role makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better.

We believe building engineering is more than systems and structures—it’s about powering progress and enabling innovation. As part of HDR’s Building Engineering Services Group, you’ll help design the critical infrastructure that supports the digital age and shapes the spaces where people work, connect, and thrive. From high-performance data centers driving the future of AI to dynamic commercial environments, your work will directly support technological advancement, sustainability, and human experience.

HDR is currently seeking a Controls Section Manager for our Building Engineering Services Business Group located in Pennington, NJ. Our integrated facility and infrastructure design team covers Mechanical, Electrical, Plumbing, Structural, and Site Civil Engineering. We serve a wide variety of markets including Tech/Media/Telecom, Commercial Real Estate, Healthcare, Science & Technology, Industrial, Water, Federal and Mission Critical buildings and infrastructure, with a leading focus on sustainable design and energy conservation.

As Controls Section Manager, you will lead growth, operations, and technical leadership of the control team, encompassing design, staff development and mentoring, workload management, profitability, morale, and quality control. You will also represent HDR to clients and the engineering community, collaborate with the BES Business Group Manager to build strong relationships, and participate in marketing and project planning.

• Take responsibility for operations of the production section, including staff development, profitability, morale, and quality control.
• Act as Project Manager and take responsibility for production on projects in addition to management responsibilities.
• Adopt administrative responsibility for section staff and technical service functions, and lead coordination with other sections.
• Be involved in marketing planning, proposals and interviews.
• Engage directly with industrial and public clients in marketing, project production and related issues.
• Ensure all work is planned, organized, controlled and evaluated through proactive project management systems.
• Implement, monitor and support company policy.
• Select, train, develop and manage technical personnel.
• Manage and develop multidisciplinary teams.
• Collaborate with National Directors and marketing staff in local and national marketing and production efforts.
• Perform other duties as needed.

• A minimum of 5 years’ management experience.
• 15+ years of controls design experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm.
• Ability to manage, lead and mentor team members.
• Preference given to local candidates.
• Experience designing complex and large‑scale healthcare, laboratory, and/or mission‑critical data center facilities.
• Experience with both industrial control systems (ICS) and commercial Building Automation Systems desired.

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
• A minimum of 7 years experience.
• Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role.
• Strong communication and listening skills.
• Ability to handle multiple assignments.
• Good leadership and organizational skills.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in our employee‑owned culture is a must.

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 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. 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.

United States – New Jersey – Pennington

Full‑time

Regular

Mar 6, 2026

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