Northwest Highway-Bridge Design Practice Leader
Lochner, Seattle, WA, United States
Founded in 1944, Lochner is a trusted infrastructure services provider for aviation, surface transportation, and water clients, delivering high‑quality, forward‑looking solutions to complex challenges. Lochner’s vision is to become a Top 100 leader in the A/E industry by fostering an agile, engaged, and empowered workforce.
Your Impact
Under the direction of the West Region Highway/Bridge Design Practice Leader, you will lead the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Highway/Bridge design team, oversee client service and project delivery, manage design staff, resources, and budgets, and provide technical and project oversight. You will direct daily operations and financial outcomes and support the region’s growth strategy by developing and implementing business plans.
Responsibilities
Analyze all technical aspects of roadway/highway engineering, identify issues, and propose suitable solutions; evaluate complex design problems and recommend major design changes.
Review construction plans, design calculations, specifications, and cost estimates for completeness, accuracy, constructability, and compliance with local standards and best engineering practices.
Prepare project reports and feasibility studies, demonstrating strong report‑writing skills.
Lead meetings and interface with Lochner’s clients.
Develop project schedules, scopes, budgets, and apply fundamental project management capabilities.
Ensure quality assurance and control through the development and review of construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
Demonstrate leadership potential and soft skills; work well with staff at all levels.
Marketing & Business Development
Help develop the civil transportation vision and support business plans to drive regional growth, leveraging a strong understanding of the local marketplace and competitive landscape.
Collaborate with the Marketing Manager on local marketing and growth strategies, enforcing best practices and meeting business plan goals.
Represent the firm at client meetings, industry events, and other business functions; develop relationships with key local leaders and partnership opportunities.
Schedule periodic meetings with key client personnel in coordination with PMs, staff, and leadership.
Business Strategy & Implementation
Support the development of office‑level action plans that support the regional business plan.
Ensure compliance with company expectations for staff utilization; enforce corrective action plans when needed.
Resolve high‑level operational concerns promptly and take actionable steps to remediate impacts.
Assess and anticipate talent needs to address current and future gaps; support recruiting efforts to align with growth strategy.
Finance & Operations
Assist in ensuring the profitability of the Seattle office and associated projects.
Measure and monitor budget and operational performance, communicating key metrics regularly to leadership.
Operational Responsibility
Maintain a defined level of chargeability where possible and in agreement with regional leadership.
Work closely with other regional leaders and support teaming.
Maintain client communication to ensure satisfactory client experience, project production, and quality procedures.
Oversee succession plans and support the development of defined successors within the team.
Perform candid performance evaluations of direct reports and recommend salary increases for approval by leadership.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and corporate policies.
Facilitate effective communication within the region through regular meetings and written communications.
Results
Drive regional business growth to support Lochner’s nationwide strategies.
Refresh local strategy with an entrepreneurial approach to position the business for success.
Build technical and civil transportation capabilities to secure current business and penetrate new markets.
Stabilize the business and reinvigorate culture, engaging the team and focusing on sustainable growth through recruitment, retention, and professional development.
Demonstrated Leadership Capabilities
Strategic thinking
Driving results
Leading change
Leading people
Collaborating and influencing
Building people capability
Who You Are
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Professional Civil Engineering License required in Washington
Minimum of 15 years of diversified experience in civil engineering, specifically transportation infrastructure
Proven leadership of large, significant projects through effective team and budget management
Experience in planning, design, and construction of roads, highways, and bridges
Strategic and growth‑oriented leadership mindset
Track record of positioning and scaling a business and team for growth, ensuring effective governance at project and business levels
Strong relationship‑building skills; established local network of partners is ideal
Excellent written and verbal communication; adept at external business development, proposal writing, community engagement, and internal team collaboration
Commitment & Benefits
Competitive premiums for medical, dental, and vision
Paid time off and flexible holiday program
Company‑paid disability, including maternity leave, and life insurance
Health Savings Account with employer contribution
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical expenses and/or dependent care
Paid family leave
Retirement plan with employer match
Flexible work schedules (hybrid or remote when possible)
Wellness program for physical and mental health
Community outreach through Lochner Cares 501(c)(3)
Education and training assistance
Employee assistance program and discounts
Paid time off for charitable acts of service
Work Environment
The work environment is representative of the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities. Employees may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, outdoor weather conditions, and noise. The environment may be loud.
Physical Requirements
Employees must perform intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stooping, crawling, and lifting. Light equipment up to 20 pounds may need to be moved frequently. Employees must remain alert to field equipment, work near hazardous machinery, walk on uneven ground, and may encounter dust, gas, fumes, noise, temperature extremes, or heights.
Equal Opportunity & Employment Practices
Lochner is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. E‑employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. All applicants are required to undergo pre‑employment screening, including background checks and drug testing, as a condition of employment.
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Your Impact
Under the direction of the West Region Highway/Bridge Design Practice Leader, you will lead the Pacific Northwest (PNW) Highway/Bridge design team, oversee client service and project delivery, manage design staff, resources, and budgets, and provide technical and project oversight. You will direct daily operations and financial outcomes and support the region’s growth strategy by developing and implementing business plans.
Responsibilities
Analyze all technical aspects of roadway/highway engineering, identify issues, and propose suitable solutions; evaluate complex design problems and recommend major design changes.
Review construction plans, design calculations, specifications, and cost estimates for completeness, accuracy, constructability, and compliance with local standards and best engineering practices.
Prepare project reports and feasibility studies, demonstrating strong report‑writing skills.
Lead meetings and interface with Lochner’s clients.
Develop project schedules, scopes, budgets, and apply fundamental project management capabilities.
Ensure quality assurance and control through the development and review of construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates.
Demonstrate leadership potential and soft skills; work well with staff at all levels.
Marketing & Business Development
Help develop the civil transportation vision and support business plans to drive regional growth, leveraging a strong understanding of the local marketplace and competitive landscape.
Collaborate with the Marketing Manager on local marketing and growth strategies, enforcing best practices and meeting business plan goals.
Represent the firm at client meetings, industry events, and other business functions; develop relationships with key local leaders and partnership opportunities.
Schedule periodic meetings with key client personnel in coordination with PMs, staff, and leadership.
Business Strategy & Implementation
Support the development of office‑level action plans that support the regional business plan.
Ensure compliance with company expectations for staff utilization; enforce corrective action plans when needed.
Resolve high‑level operational concerns promptly and take actionable steps to remediate impacts.
Assess and anticipate talent needs to address current and future gaps; support recruiting efforts to align with growth strategy.
Finance & Operations
Assist in ensuring the profitability of the Seattle office and associated projects.
Measure and monitor budget and operational performance, communicating key metrics regularly to leadership.
Operational Responsibility
Maintain a defined level of chargeability where possible and in agreement with regional leadership.
Work closely with other regional leaders and support teaming.
Maintain client communication to ensure satisfactory client experience, project production, and quality procedures.
Oversee succession plans and support the development of defined successors within the team.
Perform candid performance evaluations of direct reports and recommend salary increases for approval by leadership.
Ensure compliance with applicable laws, regulations, and corporate policies.
Facilitate effective communication within the region through regular meetings and written communications.
Results
Drive regional business growth to support Lochner’s nationwide strategies.
Refresh local strategy with an entrepreneurial approach to position the business for success.
Build technical and civil transportation capabilities to secure current business and penetrate new markets.
Stabilize the business and reinvigorate culture, engaging the team and focusing on sustainable growth through recruitment, retention, and professional development.
Demonstrated Leadership Capabilities
Strategic thinking
Driving results
Leading change
Leading people
Collaborating and influencing
Building people capability
Who You Are
Bachelor of Science in Civil Engineering
Professional Civil Engineering License required in Washington
Minimum of 15 years of diversified experience in civil engineering, specifically transportation infrastructure
Proven leadership of large, significant projects through effective team and budget management
Experience in planning, design, and construction of roads, highways, and bridges
Strategic and growth‑oriented leadership mindset
Track record of positioning and scaling a business and team for growth, ensuring effective governance at project and business levels
Strong relationship‑building skills; established local network of partners is ideal
Excellent written and verbal communication; adept at external business development, proposal writing, community engagement, and internal team collaboration
Commitment & Benefits
Competitive premiums for medical, dental, and vision
Paid time off and flexible holiday program
Company‑paid disability, including maternity leave, and life insurance
Health Savings Account with employer contribution
Flexible Spending Accounts for medical expenses and/or dependent care
Paid family leave
Retirement plan with employer match
Flexible work schedules (hybrid or remote when possible)
Wellness program for physical and mental health
Community outreach through Lochner Cares 501(c)(3)
Education and training assistance
Employee assistance program and discounts
Paid time off for charitable acts of service
Work Environment
The work environment is representative of the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be provided for individuals with disabilities. Employees may be exposed to moving mechanical parts, outdoor weather conditions, and noise. The environment may be loud.
Physical Requirements
Employees must perform intermittent sitting, walking, standing, bending, squatting, climbing, kneeling, twisting, stooping, crawling, and lifting. Light equipment up to 20 pounds may need to be moved frequently. Employees must remain alert to field equipment, work near hazardous machinery, walk on uneven ground, and may encounter dust, gas, fumes, noise, temperature extremes, or heights.
Equal Opportunity & Employment Practices
Lochner is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse and inclusive workforce. E‑employment opportunities are provided to all employees and applicants regardless of race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other protected characteristic under federal, state, or local law. All applicants are required to undergo pre‑employment screening, including background checks and drug testing, as a condition of employment.
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