Area Transit 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.

We are looking for an Area Transit Digital Design Lead to join our Transportation Business Group in our Charlotte or Raleigh, NC office. In this role, you will lead the area's transit and rail digital design and delivery / BIM / 3D modeling initiatives and influence global BIM management standards on transit and rail projects. Your success requires a keen understanding of both the technical and human aspects of digital design and delivery as well as experience working in an open, collaborative work environment with multidisciplinary transportation teams and HDR Transportation Digital Delivery Leadership.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Digital Delivery Leadership

* Serve as the BIM/Model manager for specific transit and/or rail projects, establishing the digital delivery plan and working with different discipline BIM and design leads to support model-based project delivery and fulfill the BIM requirements of the project, incorporating both horizontal and vertical design and BIM workflows and models.

* Provide guidance to the area on managing the entire digital life cycle for transit projects, including risk assessment, planning, scope, fee development, and execution, including support to construction phase implementation, working in coordination with national HDR Transportation Digital Delivery staff.

* Facilitating 3D model quality control reviews for projects with model deliverables.

2. Digital Strategy, Standards & Client Alignment

* Guide the area on managing the full digital lifecycle including project setup, periodic project model reviews, and quality, risk and compliance management.

* Serve as a point of contact for area transit digital design delivery strategy via monthly recurring meetings with HDR Digital Delivery Leadership and the National Transit Digital Delivery Lead.

* Establish protocols and monitor relationships with clients' BIM/CAD/digital delivery teams, working collaboratively to define and fulfill project requirements.

* Manage setup and ongoing updates of client-specific digital design and delivery standards and workspaces.

3. Financial & Business Development Support

* Review and provide guidance on the financial aspects of transit digital design and delivery, including budgeting and fee development, scope, and schedule, while ensuring alignment with project teams.

* Assisting in marketing HDR's Digital Design and Delivery services, working with area HDR Business Development Leads.

4. Digital Delivery Capability Building/Training

* Support consistent training, standardized workflows, and best practices in transit digital design production efforts, with a focus on nurturing local area talent and enabling regional workshare efforts.

Preferred Qualifications:

Education & Core Experience

* Bachelor's degree in civil engineering, engineering technology, or a related field

* Minimum of 10 years of experience in transit design projects

* 5 years of experience as a BIM / Model Manager, with a focus on major multidisciplinary transportation projects

Digital Delivery Tools & Platforms (Horizontal + Vertical)

* Advanced 3D modeling and Digital Design & Delivery / BIM capabilities with Bentley OpenRail/Roads

* Familiarity of various design authoring 3D platforms that are utilized on large multidisciplinary transit projects, and their interoperability, including both vertical (such as Revit) and horizontal BIM platforms

Coordination, CDEs & Standards (Governance)

* Proficiency in BIM management and coordination tools such as Navisworks, BIM360, Bentley Infrastructure Cloud / iTwins, Synchro, and Assemble, supporting BIM uses like clash detection, 4D construction phasing, model health assessments, extended reality, and digital twins and digital asset management.

* Ability to manage CAD standards and workspaces in Common Data Environments (e.g., ProjectWise, Autodesk Construction Cloud), with familiarity with ISO-19650 standard

* Experience developing BIM execution or digital delivery plans

Advanced / Emerging Capabilities

* Certified Professional in Bentley OpenRoads Designer, with experience integrating GIS into BIM workflows and publishing 3D models to GIS

* Understanding of reality capture methods and integration of existing conditions data into design workflows

* Awareness of current and future artificial intelligence (AI) applications in the AEC industry and BIM / CAD, including potential benefits and risks

* Experience performing quality control reviews of design criteria using a 3D model

Leadership, Client Partnership & Industry Presence

* Exceptional training, support, and oversight capabilities, particularly in staff development

* Experience in client-facing technical coordination (BIM / CAD needs)

* Demonstrated ability to collaborate with client managers, project managers, discipline leads, technical directors, business group directors, and operations staff

* Strong management and financial oversight skills, with a proven ability to manage project scopes and budgets

* Ability to flex and support freight rail projects as Digital Design Lead

* Participation in ACEC and ASCE related local committees and meetings related to digital design and delivery and BIM / 3D Modeling, local candidates are preferred

* Commitment to company values, teamwork, and ethical responsibility, with active participation in an employee-owned culture

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