Transmission Line Engineer Team Lead

HDR•Columbia, SC

About The Position

HDR is seeking a Transmission Line Engineer Team Lead to provide technical leadership, design oversight, and project coordination for transmission line engineering projects serving utility and EPC clients. The role requires a licensed Professional Engineer who can independently seal engineering deliverables, lead engineers and designers, and ensure work meets regulatory, code, and client requirements. The Team Lead serves as Engineer of Record for transmission line design packages, overseeing design development, technical decisions, quality reviews, project execution, interdisciplinary coordination, specifications, and construction support. The role also includes mentoring and training team members, coordinating with project managers and clients, and upholding licensure, ethical, safety, and quality responsibilities. HDR describes its employee-owned culture as collaborative and inclusive, where employees are encouraged to contribute their perspectives and ideas.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree or equivalent experience.
At least 7 years of experience.
Professional registration, license, or certification may be required based on the role; this position specifically requires a licensed Professional Engineer able to independently seal engineering deliverables.
Strong communication and listening skills.
Ability to handle multiple assignments.
Good leadership and organizational skills.
Commitment to active participation in HDR's employee-owned culture.

Nice To Haves

Familiarity with PLS-CADD, PLS-POLE, or similar transmission line design software.
Knowledge of NESC, ASCE, and IEEE codes and standards.
At least 6 years of experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector.
Previous experience with an engineering consulting firm.
Local candidates are preferred.

Responsibilities

Serve as Engineer of Record for transmission line design packages and review, approve, and seal engineering drawings, calculations, and specifications.
Lead transmission line design development, ensuring compliance with client requirements, NESC, ASCE, IEEE, applicable regulations, and industry practices.
Oversee schematic design, detailed engineering, and contract document preparation.
Evaluate and resolve complex technical issues and coordinate solutions across disciplines.
Ensure engineering decisions reflect sound professional judgment and protect public health, safety, and welfare.
Lead, mentor, and develop junior and mid-level engineers, including guidance on technical practices, engineering judgment, and career development.
Provide structured training on transmission line design principles, tools, and standards.
Conduct formal QA/QC reviews of deliverables prepared by engineers, designers, project coordinators, and BIM technicians.
Promote engineering excellence, consistency, and continuous improvement across the team.
Coordinate power and transmission line design team activities through all project phases.
Balance workload to meet deliverable schedules, quality standards, and project budgets.
Participate in project planning, scoping, and scheduling with the Project Manager.
Conduct on-site working sessions and field reviews as needed.
Monitor design progress and identify risks, resource needs, and schedule impacts.
Review multidisciplinary project documents, identify conflicts, and coordinate resolutions across civil, structural, electrical, environmental, and permitting teams.
Collaborate across disciplines to prepare addenda, respond to RFIs, develop change orders, and incorporate approved revisions into project documents.
Write, edit, and maintain technical specifications for transmission line materials, construction, and performance.
Support construction contract administration, including submittal reviews, field change evaluations, and contractor technical inquiries.
Support project closeout, ensuring as-built documentation is accurate and lessons learned are captured.
Ensure deliverables meet internal QA/QC standards, licensure responsibilities, and client expectations.
Support client communications regarding technical matters, design progress, and project decisions.
Uphold the ethical and professional responsibilities of a Licensed Professional Engineer.
Foster safety, accountability, collaboration, and operational excellence.