Grace Baird Named HDR Overhead Contact Systems Practice Lead

Grace Baird, P.E., has joined HDR as a practice lead specializing in overhead contact systems.

In her new role, Baird will leverage her diverse rail project knowledge and expertise to support HDR’s rail and transit systems clients across the globe, applying her experience in electrification to the planning and design of trolley and light rail systems and associated infrastructure.

“I’m thrilled to have Grace on our team,” said HDR Rail and Transit Systems Director Rick Schmedes. “Her leadership and experience with project interfaces, systems engineering, package and project management will be pivotal in applying the latest technologies and industry standards on our rail projects.”

Based in San Francisco, Baird has more than 18 years of experience in the design of direct current and alternating current overhead contact systems. She has experience designing wire profiles, layout plans, cross sections, hanger lengths and allocations for transit systems both in the United Kingdom and United States. In the U.K., she was the OCS contractor’s responsible engineer for a section of the Greater West project, electrifying the rail network between London and Wales, and a section of the Transpennine Route Upgrade, electrifying the railway between Manchester and Leeds. 

Since returning to the U.S. in 2022, she has been involved in the Caltrain Electrification project, the California High-Speed Rail Authority Central Valley Stations project and the Bay Area Rapid Transit Silicon Valley Phase 2 tunnel. In her new role at HDR, she has provided OCS oversight and design on the Green Line Operating and Maintenance Facility in Minnesota and the Omaha Streetcar project in Nebraska.

Baird is also a leader in the transit and rail industry as the secretary for the American Railway Engineering and Maintenance-of-Way Association’s Committee 33, setting guidelines and practices for electrification systems throughout North America.

“I’m excited to help expand the reach of HDR’s growing rail and transit systems practice,” Baird said. “I’m looking forward to merging my skills with in-house resources to fully design and integrate an electrified railway, helping clients and the OCS team deliver valuable transportation infrastructure solutions.”