What are the key responsibilities for a Trenchless Engineer at HDR?

The Trenchless Engineer at HDR is responsible for supporting engineering and design practices for trenchless services. This includes conducting analyses, managing projects, overseeing field operations, preparing documentation, and interfacing with clients and project teams. A Professional Engineer license is required for reviewing and sealing project deliverables.

What qualifications are essential for the Trenchless Engineer role at HDR?

Essential qualifications include a Bachelor's degree, a Professional Engineer (PE) license, and at least 10 years of professional experience in consulting/engineering, preferably with trenchless methods like Horizontal Directional Drilling, microtunneling, or Direct Pipe®. Proficiency with Microsoft Office is also required, with experience in specific geotechnical software being a plus.

Does HDR offer opportunities for professional growth in this Trenchless Engineer position?

Yes, the Trenchless Engineer role at HDR offers significant opportunity for professional growth and development. You will work with a national team, contribute to diverse projects, and potentially take on project management responsibilities, all within an employee-owned culture that values development.

What is the expected travel for a Trenchless Engineer at HDR?

Travel is required for this position, with the frequency and duration depending on project needs. Extensive travel may be necessary at times to support field-based assignments, including site reconnaissance and oversight of trenchless pipeline installations.

How does HDR foster an inclusive work environment for its Trenchless Engineers?

HDR is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all employees are valued and empowered. This is supported through employee ownership, organizational trust, and various Employee Network Groups designed to foster a sense of belonging and encourage contribution from all individuals.

What kind of software experience is beneficial for an HDR Trenchless Engineer?

While experience with Microsoft Office is required, additional beneficial software includes AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation, GeoStudio/Ensoft for slope stability and settlement analysis, and Bentley's gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog for geotechnical data management. Knowledge of available software models for trenchless pipeline design is also important.

What is the salary range for the Trenchless Engineer position at HDR?

The targeted salary range for this Trenchless Engineer position is $125,000 to $150,000 per year, depending on factors such as skills, experience, education, and geographical location.

Trenchless Engineer

HDR · Oakland, CA

On site
Full-time
$150,000 / year
Oakland, CA

Job highlights

Support trenchless engineering, design, and construction.
Analyze hydraulic fracture and inadvertent returns.
Manage trenchless project execution and client interaction.
Perform field-based assignments and site oversight.
Review, stamp, and seal project deliverables.

About the role

About HDR

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.

Job Summary

HDR is looking for a Trenchless Engineer to join our national Trenchless Services team. This role will provide significant opportunity for professional growth and development. The Trenchless Engineer will report to the Trenchless Services Engineering Lead, having primary responsibilities supporting the execution of design and field services associated with trenchless services: engineering, design and construction applications.

The Trenchless Engineer will contribute to the Trenchless Program by utilizing their experience and expertise to support engineering and design practices, including hydraulic fracture and inadvertent returns analyses, front end information collection initiatives, such as geotechnical investigation programs and survey coordination for incorporation into critical engineering and design decisions and constructability evaluations, evaluating feasibility of trenchless design and construction, and making recommendations for mitigation as needed throughout the lifecycle of trenchless projects (planning through construction). Data management, quality control of design and construction data, planning, and risk management for supporting all trenchless initiatives are also included in the primary responsibilities for this role. The Trenchless Engineer will manage the execution of the full Trenchless suite of services for all-inclusive projects or as a component to a larger project that includes Trenchless installations. As a licensed Professional Engineer, they will be expected to review, stamp and seal Trenchless project related deliverables. The Trenchless Engineer will also be expected to interface with clients and take on a project management role on Trenchless projects as assigned. They will travel as-needed to support field-based assignments, with the frequency and duration of travel depending on workload; extensive travel may be required at any given time. Field-based responsibilities will include site reconnaissance and oversight of trenchless pipeline installations. While in the field, the Trenchless Engineer will monitor and report on daily activities, and present field data in a timely manner with a high level of quality. While performing the field-based tasks, the Trenchless Engineer will be required to communicate regularly with all members of the Trenchless Services Team as required for the projects at hand.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

Perform desktop route selection and evaluate feasibility for design and construction of trenchless crossings.
Carry out site reconnaissance visits.
Develop a subsurface investigation program for determination of feasibility of construction for various trenchless installation methods.
Evaluate surface and subsurface conditions based on collected data and information to determine feasibility of trenchless construction and preferred construction technique.
Interface with the Team’s various discipline leads and production staff (e.g., geotechnical, CAD, etc.) and communicate frequently to support development of trenchless design deliverables.
Communicate regularly with clients regarding project status and technical discussions related to trenchless construction applications.
Estimate quantities of materials used and disposed of for trenchless pipeline installations.
Estimate installation loading and stress for trenchless pipeline installations.
Assess the application of trenchless technologies (Horizontal Directional Drilling, microtunneling, tunneling, Direct Pipe®, etc.) and participate in the definition and selection of preferred method(s).
Perform calculations to determine carrier pipe and coating specifications.
Define workspace requirements for applicable construction equipment at trenchless crossing locations.
Prepare and/or review pertinent project documentation including: project design/construction specifications, bid packages, drawings, design reports, engineering assessments, and data sets.
Build knowledge and use available software models for trenchless pipeline design.
Interface with project team members outside of the Trenchless Team and other company functions throughout project execution on multidisciplinary projects.
Develop permit application documents and drawings.
Be aware of and understand the applicable industry standards and governing codes relevant to the various market sectors for which the Trenchless Team performs work (e.g., Oil and Gas, Water/Wastewater, Power, etc.).
Ensure that documents, calculations, reports are developed in compliance with the governing project legislation and standardization.
Prepare field engineering and as-built documents.
Concur in the definition/updating of department standards and procedures as well as ensure adequate feedback/lessons learned from projects.
Focus on successful project execution, applying HDR’s PMO processes and in alignment with client project delivery goals.
Establish and execute workflow delivery that will be applied for all projects including Trenchless engineering, design, subcontracted services, and construction applications.
Procure, manage, and coordinate with subconsultants providing various services to Trenchless projects.
Perform construction oversight and/or observation in the field, monitoring and reporting on daily construction activities, identifying problematic conditions and providing recommendations.

Preferred Qualifications

Minimum 10 years of professional experience, including experience in consulting/engineering, and preferably with Horizontal Directional Drilling, microtunneling, and/or Direct Pipe®.
Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.
Experience in AutoCAD Civil 3D.
Experience in remote work environment.
Experience in design and knowledge in trenchless construction methods.
Team oriented with strong desire to be accountable and reliable for contributions.
Strong writing and computer skills, including proven experience in Microsoft Word and Excel.
Ability to handle multiple assignments, managing time and prioritizing tasks appropriately and independently to meet deadlines.
Self-motivated and ability to work autonomously, while remaining in frequent communication with the rest of the team who are located in other offices around the country.
Accountability for time and work ethic.
Excellent interpersonal and customer service skills.
Travel is required; frequency and duration will be dependent on project needs and may be extensive at times.
This position is subject to a pre-employment drug test.

Required Qualifications

Bachelor's degree
Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
Previous experience with Microsoft Office applications, MicroStation or other software as appropriate
Experience with GeoStudio/Ensoft slope stability, settlement, seepage and deep foundation response software, as appropriate
Experience with Bentley suite of geotechnical data management and visualization software (gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog)
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, 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. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) The targeted salary range for this position (based on experience and location) is $125,000 - $150,000. Primary Location: United States-Georgia-Atlanta Other Locations: United States-Texas-Round Rock, United States-North Carolina-Charlotte, United States-Pennsylvania-Bethlehem, United States-Oregon-Salem, United States-Maryland-Baltimore, United States-Montana-Missoula, United States-Texas-Houston, United States-California-Irvine, United States-Wisconsin-Madison, United States-New York-Buffalo, United States-Washington-Tacoma, United States-Nevada-Reno, United States-Colorado-Fort Collins, United States-California-Folsom, United States-Oregon-Portland, United States-Montana-Bozeman, United States-Colorado-Durango, United States-Washington-Seattle, United States-Nevada-Las Vegas, United States-Montana-Billings, United States-Texas-Dallas, United States-Montana-Helena, United States-Washington-Spokane, United States-Virginia-Arlington, United States-Washington-Pasco, United States-Texas-Austin, United States-California-Claremont, United States-Massachusetts-Boston, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-Oregon-Bend, United States-Missouri-St Louis, United States-Arizona-Tucson, United States-Arkansas-Little Rock, United States-Pennsylvania-Mechanicsburg, United States-Washington-Olympia, United States-Washington-Vancouver, United States-Colorado-Colorado Springs, United States-Wisconsin-Milwaukee, United States-Hawaii-Honolulu, United States-Maryland-Fulton, United States-Arizona-Phoenix, United States-Kentucky-Louisville, United States-South Carolina-Greenville, United States-Illinois-Rosemont, United States-California-Walnut Creek, United States-Tennessee-Memphis, United States-Montana-Kalispell, United States-Virginia-Richmond, United States-Washington-Gig Harbor, United States-Rhode Island-Providence, United States-Ohio-Cleveland, United States-Florida-Tampa, United States-Florida-West Palm Beach, United States-Ohio-Columbus, United States-Tennessee-Chattanooga, United States-Kentucky-Lexington, United States-Kansas-Olathe, United States-Georgia-Pooler, United States-Washington-Bellevue, United States-Missouri-Kansas City, United States-North Carolina-Wilmington, United States-Tennessee-Nashville, United States-California-San Jose, United States-New Jersey-Newark, United States-Florida-Pensacola, United States-New Mexico-Albuquerque, United States-New York-White Plains, United States-Minnesota-St. Paul, United States-California-San Francisco, United States-South Carolina-Charleston, United States-Virginia-Roanoke, United States-South Carolina-Columbia, United States-Virginia-Vienna, United States-Florida-Orlando, United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-Pennsylvania-Pittsburgh, United States-New York-Syracuse, United States-California-San Diego, United States-Virginia-Norfolk, United States-Pennsylvania-Philadelphia, United States-Virginia-Glen Allen, United States-California-Riverside, United States-Nebraska-Lincoln, United States-Montana-Butte, United States-Florida-Miami, United States-Nebraska-Omaha, United States-New Jersey-Pennington, United States-California-Sacramento, United States-Connecticut-Rocky Hill, United States-New York-New York, United States-Michigan-Ann Arbor, United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-Virginia-Alexandria, United States-Michigan-Detroit, United States-North Dakota-Bismarck, United States-Maine-Portland, United States-California-Oakland, United States-North Dakota-Fargo, United States-New Jersey-Woodcliff Lake, United States-Florida-Jacksonville, United States-Illinois-Chicago, United States-California-Los Angeles, United States-Idaho-Boise, United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-Texas-San Antonio, United States-West Virginia-Charleston, United States-Connecticut-Hartford Industry: Industrial Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Industrial Services Job Posting: Sep 18, 2025

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Key skills/competency

Trenchless Engineering
Trenchless Services
Horizontal Directional Drilling
Microtunneling
Tunneling
Direct Pipe
Geotechnical Engineering
Project Management
Design and Construction
Civil Engineering

Skills & topics

Trenchless Engineer
Trenchless Engineering
Horizontal Directional Drilling
Microtunneling
Tunneling
Direct Pipe
Civil Engineering
Geotechnical Engineering
Project Management
Construction
Design
Engineering
PE License
Consulting
Infrastructure

How to get hired

Tailor your resume: Highlight your PE license, 10+ years of experience, and specific trenchless method expertise (HDD, microtunneling, Direct Pipe).
Showcase technical skills: Emphasize experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D, GeoStudio/Ensoft, and Bentley geotechnical software.
Demonstrate project management: Detail your experience managing projects, clients, and subconsultants, and mention PMP certification if applicable.
Emphasize cultural fit: Articulate your commitment to employee ownership, inclusion, and collaboration.
Prepare for interviews: Be ready to discuss your experience with trenchless technologies, field oversight, and problem-solving.

Technical preparation

Master trenchless technologies like HDD, microtunneling, Direct Pipe.,Become proficient with AutoCAD Civil 3D and geotechnical software.,Understand hydraulic fracture and inadvertent returns analysis.,Develop skills in pipeline design and construction specifications.

Behavioral questions

Describe a complex trenchless project you managed.,How do you handle conflicting client or team demands?,Share an example of a challenging field situation resolved.,How do you contribute to an inclusive team environment?

Frequently asked questions

What are the key responsibilities for a Trenchless Engineer at HDR?: The Trenchless Engineer at HDR is responsible for supporting engineering and design practices for trenchless services. This includes conducting analyses, managing projects, overseeing field operations, preparing documentation, and interfacing with clients and project teams. A Professional Engineer license is required for reviewing and sealing project deliverables.
What qualifications are essential for the Trenchless Engineer role at HDR?: Essential qualifications include a Bachelor's degree, a Professional Engineer (PE) license, and at least 10 years of professional experience in consulting/engineering, preferably with trenchless methods like Horizontal Directional Drilling, microtunneling, or Direct Pipe®. Proficiency with Microsoft Office is also required, with experience in specific geotechnical software being a plus.
Does HDR offer opportunities for professional growth in this Trenchless Engineer position?: Yes, the Trenchless Engineer role at HDR offers significant opportunity for professional growth and development. You will work with a national team, contribute to diverse projects, and potentially take on project management responsibilities, all within an employee-owned culture that values development.
What is the expected travel for a Trenchless Engineer at HDR?: Travel is required for this position, with the frequency and duration depending on project needs. Extensive travel may be necessary at times to support field-based assignments, including site reconnaissance and oversight of trenchless pipeline installations.
How does HDR foster an inclusive work environment for its Trenchless Engineers?: HDR is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where all employees are valued and empowered. This is supported through employee ownership, organizational trust, and various Employee Network Groups designed to foster a sense of belonging and encourage contribution from all individuals.
What kind of software experience is beneficial for an HDR Trenchless Engineer?: While experience with Microsoft Office is required, additional beneficial software includes AutoCAD Civil 3D, MicroStation, GeoStudio/Ensoft for slope stability and settlement analysis, and Bentley's gINT/OpenGround/LeapFrog for geotechnical data management. Knowledge of available software models for trenchless pipeline design is also important.

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