Area Transportation Planning Business Class Leader

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.

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. 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.

About the role

The Area Transportation Planning Business Class Lead will collaborate with section managers, project managers, local and national subject matter experts, business development, and marketing teams to support the growth and development of our multimodal transportation planning practice. The ideal candidate will possess strong leadership skills to oversee the transportation planning practice in the Southern California region while providing guidance and mentorship to junior, mid-level, and senior planners and engineers.

Responsibilities

• Manage a group consisting of transportation planners, engineers, and related professionals, in close coordination with the Area Transportation Leadership.
• Take responsibility for the coordination, mentoring, and development of area transportation planning staff and production of quality deliverables to meet client needs and market drivers.
• Serve as a key member of the Transportation Planning Business Class and be responsible for the management of staff, business development, pursuit, and management of major transportation planning projects.
• Engage in high-profile project pursuits involving extensive client interactions in coordination with the Area Business Development Leader.
• Plan, direct, and monitor all aspects of large multi-disciplinary transportation planning projects, including but not limited to long-range visioning, strategic and tactical planning, policy and systems planning, data analytics and modeling, multimodal and intermodal planning, and project development. Project types may include program management contracts, long-range transportation plans, master plans, corridor studies, transit projects, freight plans, rail plans, intermodal/multimodal studies, traffic operational studies, managed lane studies, interchange justifications, and emerging mobility plans.
• Lead scope development and execution in conjunction with appropriate technical professionals in multiple transportation disciplines.
• Actively drive open communication of current/projected production needs and collaborate with management to influence staffing and expertise levels. Coordinate project staffing and workload management of the area transportation planning group.
• Participate in and provide input to the Annual Budgeting and Strategic Planning process in collaboration with Area, Regional, National, and Global leadership.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Planning, Engineering, Architecture, or a closely related field.
• 10 years of experience in transportation planning or a related field.
• Committed to quality, improvement, and HDR values.
• Maintains a professional or engineering registration and has related technical experience.
• Experienced in development and management of diverse teams.
• Works cooperatively with other area business class leaders, operations managers, technical directors, and marketing managers on business class efforts.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's and master's degree in Planning, Engineering, or a closely related field (preferred).
• Professional registration such as AICP, PE, PTOE, PTP, or PMP (preferred).
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Understanding of multimodal planning principles including auto, transit, rail, and non-motorized modes.
• Positive attitude and ability to work independently or as part of a team.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and personnel.
• Solid business development skills; demonstrated ability to relate well to clients; and demonstrated presentation skills.
• Expertise in freight planning, aviation planning, or multimodal planning (preferred).
• Actively engaged in professional organizations such as ACEC, ITE, WTS, COMTO, or similar organizations (preferred).

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package promoting employee ownership, health, performance, and success, including 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.
• Eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) to foster a sense of belonging and support.

Pay

The expected compensation range for this position is $163,000 - $243,000 and depends upon skills, experience, education, and geographical location.

Schedule

Full-time, regular position.

Primary location: United States-California-Los Angeles. Other locations: United States-California-Irvine, United States-California-Riverside, United States-California-Rancho Cucamonga.