Digital Production Area Lead

About the role

At HDR, 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? Each role makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. 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. As the Digital Production Area Lead for the Transportation Business Group, your primary focus will be leading CAD‑based plan production for transportation projects. You will help teams efficiently develop consistent, accurate, and high‑quality plan sets using CAD and related digital production tools. In partnership with Digital Delivery and Digital Design leaders, you will maintain production standards, guide project setup and execution, coordinate plan production across offices and disciplines, and introduce practical workflow improvements. You will also lead and develop production staff through clear expectations, training, and access to the right resources. Primary Location: United States‑Missouri‑Kansas City. Other Locations: United States‑Missouri‑St Louis, United States‑Missouri‑Springfield.

Responsibilities

• Lead CAD-based plan production for transportation projects, from initial setup and work planning through final plan delivery and closeout.
• Partner with project managers, engineers, designers, and other disciplines to establish folder structures, CAD standards, sheet organization, production schedules, submittals, and project-specific plan production workflows.
• Manage CAD plan production across offices and disciplines, including work sharing, team coordination, file management, drawing development, design updates, plotting, and review of supporting 2D and 3D design information.
• Develop, maintain, and apply production standards, templates, supporting resources, CAD management plans, and BIM execution plans in coordination with Digital Delivery leadership.
• Review area project drawings and CAD files for accuracy, standards compliance, discipline coordination, and consistency; support QA/QC planning and regular project audits.
• Advise project leaders on design software, digital delivery practices, and workflow improvements that strengthen quality, efficiency, and client outcomes.
• Supervise, mentor, train, and recruit CAD and production professionals; connect staff and offices with training, guidance, and communication resources.

Required Qualifications

• Technical degree or a combination of education and related industry experience
• A minimum of 5 years related industry experience
• Advanced skillset of 3D design software and document management infrastructure