Area Highways Digital Design Lead

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. 

We believe transportation is more than movement—it's the foundation of connected, thriving communities. As part of HDR's Transportation Business Group, you'll help shape the systems that move people and goods safely, efficiently, and sustainably. From designing resilient highways and iconic bridges to advancing transit, passenger and freight rail, aviation, federal transportation ports and marine infrastructure, your work will directly support economic vitality, public safety, sustainable and resilient communities and quality of life. We bring together planners, engineers, architects, construction management staff, environmental, strategic communications, economists, management consultants and specialists across disciplines to solve complex mobility challenges with innovation, technical excellence, and a deep understanding of community needs. Whether you're modernizing aging infrastructure or pioneering next-generation transportation solutions, your contributions will help define the future of mobility. This isn't just a job—it's a chance to lead progress, drive meaningful impact, and leave a legacy of smarter, more connected transportation networks. We are all employee-owners at HDR, which is the foundation of our collaborative culture that connects employees around the world.

Area Highways Digital Design Lead: Primary Responsibilities

The Nebraska/Iowa Highways Digital Design Lead serves as the driving force for enhancing HDR's Highways Digital Design & Delivery capabilities. Tasked with leading the areas Digital Design & Delivery/BIM/3D Modeling initiatives specific to highways and local roads projects, this role requires a keen understanding of both the technical and human aspects of Digital Design & Delivery. Collaborative work with area-level multidisciplinary design and construction inspection transportation teams, the Highways Business Class, and the Digital Delivery & Data Acquisition Cross Sector is imperative.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide guidance to the area on managing highway project digital delivery production efforts, including risk assessment, planning, scope, fee development, and execution, working in coordination with regional TBG Digital Delivery staff.
• Support digital delivery and digital workflows across the entire project life cycle, including planning, design, construction and digital as-builts as needed to meet client requirements. 
• Serve as a point of contact for area level highway Digital Design & Delivery needs and strategy, with the Digital Delivery & Data Acquisition Cross Sector and the Highways Business Class Digital Delivery Lead through monthly recurring meetings.
• Provide support to area TBG staff in providing consistent training, standardized workflows, and best practices in Highways Digital Design production efforts, with a focus on nurturing local talent and capabilities and enabling regional workshare efforts. 
• Establish protocols and monitor HDR relationships with clients' technical BIM/CAD/Digital Delivery teams, working collaboratively to define and fulfill project BIM requirements.
• Manage setup and ongoing updates of client specific Digital Design & Delivery standards and workspaces.
• Review and provide guidance to the financial aspects of Highway Digital Design & Delivery, including budgeting and scope, while ensuring alignment with project teams.
• Assisting in marketing HDR's Digital Design & Delivery services, working with area TBG Business Development leads. 
• Provide guidance in project setup of Digital Design & Delivery projects and perform periodic reviews of the work of highway model managers and related disciplines on highways projects, ensuring quality and compliance, and acting as the model manager for specific projects.
• Facilitating 3D model quality control reviews for projects with Model as Legal Deliverables.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Minimum of 8 years of experience in highway design projects.
• At least 5 years of experience as a BIM/Model Manager, with a focus on major multidisciplinary transportation projects.
• Advanced 3D modeling and Digital Design & Delivery/BIM capabilities with OpenRoads Designer or Civil3D.
• Good understanding of various Digital Design & Delivery and modeling software for highways project. 
• Demonstrable understanding of design criteria and methodologies essential for Digital Design & Delivery in highway projects, especially as it pertains to Iowa and Nebraska DOT requirements.
• Exceptional training, support, and oversight capabilities, particularly in staff development.
• Experience in client-facing roles, coordinating technical BIM/CAD project and program needs.
• Demonstrated ability to work cooperatively with client managers, project managers, discipline leads, technical directors, business group directors, and operations staff.
• Bentley accreditation certificates for OpenRoads Designer or ORD Premier Scholar status or Autodesk equivalent.
• Experience performing 3D clash detection.
• Strong management and financial oversight skills, with a proven ability to manage Digital Design & Delivery related project scopes and budgets.
• Experience performing quality control reviews of design criteria using a 3D model.
• Participation in local/regional industry organizations such as ACEC and ASCE, for committees and meetings related to Digital Design & Delivery and BIM/3D Modeling.

• Technical degree or a combination of education and relevant experience
• A minimum of 10 years related industry experience
• Advanced skillset of 3D design software and document management infrastructure.
• Advanced skillset of 3D Coordination tools
• Competency of Microsoft Office products and communication tools
• Advanced understanding of engineering or architectural concepts
• Knowledge of industry standards and practices, along with discipline codes and specifications
• Excellent communication skills, attention to detail and organizational traits are essential
• Leadership and mentoring skillsets required

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.