Transportation Engineering Manager

Serve as the Principal-in-Charge and primary client service manager for key accounts in Central Illinois, cultivating deep, trust-based relationships with IDOT Bureau Chiefs, District Engineers, County Engineers, and Municipal officials.

Lead the entire proposal lifecycle for the region's most significant pursuits, from making strategic "Go/No-Go" decisions to developing winning technical strategies and leading interview preparations.

Actively represent the firm at a leadership level in key industry organizations (e.g., ACEC-IL, ISPE) to enhance brand visibility, influence policy, and cultivate new business opportunities.

Proactively identify, track, and pursue new project opportunities, with a specific focus on expanding work with IDOT Central Office and regional municipalities.

Provide ultimate technical oversight for the successful delivery of transportation projects (Phase I and Phase II), ensuring compliance with scope, schedule, budget, and IDOT/Federal standards.

Establish and enforce rigorous QA/QC procedures and engineering standards to ensure consistent, exceptional, and defensible project delivery.

Serve as the escalation point for complex technical challenges or contractual disputes, protecting the firm's interests while ensuring ultimate client satisfaction.

Handle all facets of contract administration, including scoping, negotiation, execution, change orders, and closeout.

Lead, manage, and mentor a team of engineers and administrative staff, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance culture that mirrors HLR's values.

Oversee the recruitment and onboarding of new talent to grow the Springfield team, while conducting performance reviews and setting professional development goals for existing staff.

Champion professional growth by creating mentorship opportunities and facilitating knowledge sharing regarding IDOT policies and engineering best practices.

Manage workloads among department staff to ensure talents and time are adequately distributed to meet deadlines.

Desired Skills and Experiences

Deep familiarity with IDOT Phase I and Phase II procedures, the BDE Manual, and the specific nuances of working with IDOT Central Bureau and District 6.

Strong financial literacy with a track record of managing departmental P&L, improving profitability, and driving sustainable revenue growth.

Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to represent the firm effectively in client interviews, contract negotiations, and public hearings.

Proficiency with industry-standard software, including MicroStation, OpenRoads Designer, and project management tools (e.g., Deltek Vision/Vantagepoint).

Understanding of state and federal funding sources (MFT, ITEP, Rebuild Illinois) applicable to Central Illinois municipalities.

Qualifications

Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering from an ABET-accredited university.

Current registration as a Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) in the State of Illinois is required.

A minimum of 12-15 years of progressive experience in transportation/civil engineering, with at least 5 years in a leadership role managing projects, teams, and financials.

Driver's License: Valid Driver's license with a good driving record

. Physical Abilities

Ability to sit or stand for extended periods of time while working in an office environment.

Ability to occasionally visit active construction sites or project corridors, which may involve walking on uneven terrain and exposure to various weather conditions.

Ability to travel to client offices, project sites, and industry events throughout Illinois.

If all of this sounds like the perfect fit for your, please feel free to submit your application through the application link. The application process should only take about 3-5 minutes. Thank you and we hope to hear from you!!