Transportation Team Lead

GHD’s Design & Delivery Organization (DDO) is seeking a Transportation Team Leader & Senior Transportation Engineer to lead and grow our Southern California transportation design and delivery team members. This role combines technical leadership, people leadership, and project delivery responsibility, supporting complex transportation projects while advancing DDO standards, delivery excellence, and employee development. 

This position will be based in one of GHD’s Southern California offices (Irvine & San Diego) and will partner closely with regional leadership, project managers, and other business groups across the West Region. 

• Provide direct people leadership for Southern California transportation delivery employees, including coaching, mentoring, and technical development. 
• Build, grow, and retain a high-performing delivery team aligned with GHD’s values and delivery expectations. 
• Support workload planning, resource coordination, and team utilization in collaboration with GHD’s DDO and regional leadership. 
• Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and safety-focused team culture. 

• Serve as Senior Technical Lead for complex on and off system transportation design projects, including locally administered, Caltrans/federally funded and design-build projects. 
• Lead and oversee project delivery from pursuit through construction, ensuring scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives are met. 
• Apply sound engineering judgment and commercial acumen to proactively identify risks, resolve issues, and deliver projects to brief and budget. 
• Support and implement GHD delivery standards, processes, and best practices across Southern California transportation projects. 
• Manage and coordinate subconsultants and multi-discipline teams. 

• Support business development activities, including pursuits, proposals, and client relationship management. 
• Strengthen and expand relationships with Caltrans, local agencies, and other key transportation clients across Southern California. 
• Partner with practice and market leaders to position GHD for new work and long-term client success. 

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil Engineering or related field (Master’s degree a plus). 

• 12+ years of progressive experience in transportation engineering, with a strong background in planning, design, and project delivery. 
• Registered Professional Civil Engineer in the State of California (PE) REQUIRED 
• Proven success providing technical mentorship and people leadership to large internal teams.  
• Demonstrated experience leading teams in the delivery of complex transportation projects within California, including Caltrans or federally funded projects. 
• Strong working knowledge of relevant standards and guidelines, including Caltrans manuals and applicable industry codes. 
• Proficiency with design and analysis software such as AutoCAD, Civil 3D, and MicroStation. 
• A passion for developing people and strengthening technical capabilities within a delivery-focused organization. 
• Demonstrated excellence across the full project life cycle, from pursuits and feasibility through design and delivery. 
• Strong professional judgment and commercial awareness. 
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, collaborative environment. 

GHD is an employee-owned, global professional services firm committed to solving complex challenges in transportation, water, energy, and the built environment. We offer a collaborative and inclusive culture grounded in our core values of Safety, Teamwork, Respect, and Integrity, along with competitive compensation, flexible work arrangements, and ongoing professional development through the GHD Business School. 

Salary Range $123,000-$205,000 based on experience

#LI-KM1