Principal Project Manager - Hydraulic Modeling

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?

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

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.

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.

HDR is looking for a Hydraulic Modeling Principal Project Manager to join our North Carolina Water Business Group. The successful candidate will be involved with all aspects of our Water Business Group program. This position will collaborate with and leverage HDR staff across the company and teaming partners to develop solutions for our clients. The primary duties of this position include pursuing, planning, managing, and delivering all aspects of utility management projects. They will also be expected to:

• Actively lead our growing North Carolina modeling services.
• Collaborate with HDR technical leaders, operations leaders, market sector directors, project managers, and project teams to deliver world class quality modeling services.
• Actively engage with the local project teams and assist in Go/No-Go discussions, project risk assessments, SOQs, proposals, interviews, and negotiations as required.
• Participate in client relationship management, client presentations, conference presentations, and interviews.
• Participate in scope, schedule, and budget development for projects.
• Provide project delivery support including planning, contract administration and management, technical consulting, and subcontract management.
• Actively participate in AWWA or WEF and NC One Water.
• Mentor and develop other employees.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license in North Carolina
• MS in Civil or Environmental Engineering or related field
• Minimum of 15 years of progressive experience in utility hydraulic modeling and infrastructure engineering design
• Knowledge and experience with wastewater collection system and/or water distribution system hydraulic modeling software
• Willing to learn and grow technical and professional skills to meet client and market needs
• Must have excellent communication skills and thrive working in a team environment
• Prior experience leading teams, managing projects, assisting with project budgeting
• Proficiency in ArcGIS Pro, mapping and analysis
• Experience working for a public, municipal, or investor-owned water and/or wastewater utility, public works department, or engineering consulting firm is beneficial
• Local candidates are preferred

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• 15 years related experience
• A minimum 7 years project management experience
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• MS Office and MS Project experience is required (Access experience would be plus)
• Demonstrated leadership, business development and strategic planning skills
• 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.

Primary Location: United States-North Carolina-Raleigh Other Locations: United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-North Carolina-Wilmington, United States-North Carolina-Asheville Industry: Water Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Utility Management Services Job Posting: May 21, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.