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Principal Project Manager

HDR, Inc.
life insurance, parental leave, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement
United States, California, Sacramento
Feb 09, 2026

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 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.

HDR is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Project Manager to join our growing Northern California Transportation Business Group. The ideal candidate will have experience working with transportation agencies and local municipalities in the Northern California area, delivering a variety of infrastructure improvement projects especially in the Planning and Project Approval and Environmental Document approval phases of project development.

The successful candidate must demonstrate a strong understanding of transportation projects within the highway, transit, ports, and rail market sectors, and technical expertise regarding California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) processes, and environmental procedures related to CEQA and NEPA approvals. Candidate must be able to work closely with our team and clients and offer strategic guidance regarding the review and completion of compliance requirements for large and complex transportation projects. This is a seller/doer position and requires an individual with a strong character of self-motivation, technical capability, and team leadership.

Responsibilities include development and review of technical work products (environmental documents and technical studies), project management, marketing and business development, and client management. Technical work product input will include the preparation, planning, development, and/or analysis/review of technical studies that meet requirements of Caltrans' Standard Environmental Reference; CEQA and NEPA documents; federal and state permit applications; and similar reports/documents. Work will be accomplished independently and through coordinating or supervising small to large technical and professional teams from local and regional offices. Project Management will include establishing the sequencing of environmental tasks/projects, from financial management of the project through successful completion (managing scope, schedule and budget) of the project using HDR's technology, standards, and project delivery practices. Candidate may be responsible for task management, staff management, and mentoring of junior and mid-level environmental planning staff.

In the role of Principal Project Manager, we'll count on you to:
  • Direct and coordinate work of single or multidiscipline teams throughout the project's lifecycle (from development & initiation to close-out)

  • Responsible for any project assignment regardless of size, visibility, number of disciplines, technical complexity or number of staff.

  • Produce and coordinate several projects concurrently.

  • Establish client relations and be involved with marketing, contractual, design and production meetings.

  • Conduct work sessions for deliverable development in conjunction with other staff and stakeholders.

  • Coordinate staffing and workload through entire project life cycle, and ensure completion of deliverables on schedule.

  • Track financial aspects of projects, and coordinate and adjust work effort with team to ensure that work is completed within parameters of agreed-to budget and schedule.

  • Work with the Accounting, Operational and Business leadership for periodic project reviews.

  • Implement QA/QC procedures.

  • Supervise staff of large projects and act as mentor for less-experienced Project Managers

  • Ensure all work is planned, organized, controlled, and evaluated through proactive project management system.

  • This position is subject to a governmental background check.

  • Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in environmental planning, Environmental Science, Civil, or closely related field

  • Master's degree

  • At least 15 years of experience in environmental planning process and development of environmental compliance documents of which at least 3 years directly managing transportation. Ideal candidate will have specific experience with California Department of Transportation processes.

  • Demonstrated knowledge of CEQA, NEPA and the Caltrans Standard Environmental Reference and other environmental processes in California

  • Experience leading environmental tasks as part of other small, medium, and large/complex engineering and planning projects

  • Demonstrated leadership, collaboration, and staff management skills with experience in managing staff at all levels

  • Strong conceptual, planning, organizational, problem-solving and research skills

  • Self-starter with ability to work independently and as part of a team

  • PMP certification

  • Participation with industry organizations

Required Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in related field
  • 15 years related experience
  • A minimum of 7 years project management experience
  • Proficient with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software
  • Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) 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.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $154,000.00 - $220,000.00 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.
Primary Location : United States-California-Sacramento
Other Locations : United States-California-Folsom
Industry : Highway + Road
Schedule : Full-time
Employee Status : Regular
BusinessClass : Environmental Sci and Planning
Job Posting : Feb 9, 2026
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