The Bridge Engineering Operations Lead is responsible for the operational leadership, performance, and growth of the bridge engineering practice. This role provides strategic oversight of project delivery, resource management, technical quality, financial performance, and team development across bridge and transportation infrastructure projects. The Operations Lead works closely with Transportation Engineering Practice Lead and Bridge Design Lead to ensure successful project delivery, achievement of business objectives, and development of a high-performing bridge engineering team. The position includes participation in business development and marketing efforts aimed at driving practice growth across key geographies based on the firm's strategic growth plans.

Working @ SLR

With us, there is no doubt you'll grow your subject-matter expertise and industry knowledge. We care about investing in our employees for the long-run, and if you ask our team, they'll tell you that's just one of the many benefits of working here. We want to be a place where you can experience career growth and satisfaction for many years.

Here's what else you'll enjoy as part of our team:

• Competitive total compensation package including medical, dental, orthodontia, vision, FSA/HSA, generous PTO accrual, 10 paid holidays, 401(k) retirement account with company matching program, company paid life insurance, short & long term disability insurance, and employee assistance program.
• The salary range for this position is $185,000-195,000. Final agreed upon compensation will be commensurate with individual education, professional designation, experience, internal parity, and location.
• Full-time, permanent role with opportunities for professional growth and advancement

Key Responsibilities:
Operations & Project Delivery

• Lead day-to-day operations of the bridge engineering practice.
• Monitor project performance, schedules, budgets, and resource utilization.
• Ensure consistent delivery of high-quality engineering services across all bridge projects.
• Identify and manage operational risks and implement corrective actions as needed.
• Support the Bridge Design Lead and project managers in resolving delivery challenges and escalating issues appropriately.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance operational efficiency and project delivery.

Resource Management

• Develop and manage workforce planning strategies to align staffing resources with project demands and competing project schedules.
• Coordinate resource assignments across offices, regions, and business units.
• Monitor staff utilization and workload balancing.
• Support recruitment planning, workforce forecasting, and succession planning.
• Collaborate with the Practice Lead to identify staffing gaps and skill development needs.

Financial Performance

• Support development and execution of annual business plans and growth objectives.
• Monitor project financial performance including revenue, profitability, backlog, utilization, and work-in-hand.
• Review project budgets, forecasts, and earned value metrics.
• Assist business unit leadership in achieving financial targets and operational KPIs.
• Identify opportunities to improve project delivery profitability and operational efficiency.
• Administer timely and accurate invoicing.

Technical Leadership & Quality

• Promote technical excellence and adherence to engineering standards and best
• practices.
• Support implementation of quality management systems and project reviews.
• Ensure compliance with client requirements, industry standards, and regulatory
• requirements.
• Facilitate knowledge sharing and technical collaboration across bridge engineering
• teams.
• Champion innovation and adoption of new technologies, tools, and delivery
• methods.

Client & Business Development Support

• Collaborate with client managers and business development teams to support
• growth initiatives.
• Participate in strategic pursuits, proposals, and client presentations.
• Help identify opportunities for expanding bridge engineering services within existing
• and new markets.
• Support development of key client relationships and strategic partnerships.

Leadership & People Development

• Provide leadership, coaching, and mentorship to bridge engineering staff and project managers.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, safety, inclusion, and continuous improvement.
• Support employee engagement, career development, and performance management processes.
• Develop future leaders through succession planning and mentoring programs.
• Promote a positive and high-performing team environment.

Health, Safety & Risk Management

• Champion organizational health, safety, and risk management practices.
• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, regulatory requirements, and professional standards.
• Participate in project risk reviews and operational governance activities.

Qualifications
Education

• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related discipline required.
• Master's degree preferred.

Certifications

• Connecticut Professional Engineer (PE) license required; additional state licensure preferred.

Experience

• 20+ years of progressive bridge engineering experience.
• Demonstrated success managing multidisciplinary bridge design and transportation infrastructure projects.
• Experience leading technical teams, project managers, and engineering professionals.
• Strong understanding of project delivery, financial management, and operational performance metrics.
• Experience supporting business development and client relationship management.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong bridge design and transportation infrastructure expertise.
• Leadership and organizational management skills.
• Project portfolio and resource management experience.
• Financial acumen including budgeting, forecasting, and project profitability management.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management capabilities.
• Strategic thinking with the ability to translate business goals into operational plans.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple offices and disciplines.
• Strong problem-solving, decision-making, and risk management skills.
• Commitment to safety, quality, and technical excellence.

Diversity, equity, and inclusion (DE&I) are at the core of who we are and want to be.