Principal, Education and Science

We believe architecture is more than designing buildings, it’s about providing solutions to societal challenges and creating stronger, more vibrant communities. As part of our Architecture practice at HDR, you’ll contribute to the design and delivery of spaces and experiences that advance community well-being around the world. From healing environments and learning spaces to research labs and civic landmarks and infrastructure, your work will directly influence how individuals experience the world around them. We bring together architects, planners, designers, and technical experts to solve complex design challenges with creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. From championing design excellence with an emphasis on resilience and sustainability to pioneering innovative building technologies, your contributions will leave a lasting impact on the built environment. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive meaningful change and help define the future of our communities.

We design spaces that change how people think, discover, and create and we're looking for a Principal to help lead that work in the Southwest.

Our Education and Science practice shapes research labs, academic institutions, and corporate life science environments for the world's most ambitious clients. We're ranked #1 in Science and Technology and have earned 11 Lab of the Year awards — not by playing it safe, but by pairing deep technical rigor with bold, human-centered design.

You'll join a collaborative, interdisciplinary team of architects, engineers, and designers who believe the built environment can fundamentally shift human behavior. That belief drives everything we do, from the first client conversation to ribbon cutting.

What you'll own:

Setting strategic direction for the Education and Science sector across the region
Building and sustaining a high-value client portfolio through genuine, lasting relationships
Leading pursuits from pre-positioning through close and owning the results
Directing project teams with the confidence of someone who's done it before

What you bring:

Proven experience winning and delivering complex Education and Science projects
The drive to grow a market, not just manage one
A reputation clients remember and competitors notice
What We're Looking For:

You have experience working across science and education with biotech, pharma, and academic clients and an understanding of what these environments need to succeed. You have built client relationships to prove it.

Beyond the portfolio, you bring sharp business development instincts, a genuine commitment to sustainable design, and the flexibility to show up where the work is.

Most importantly, you thrive in a culture of ownership. HDR is not a limited partnership or publicly held company. We are 100% employee-owned, and we're looking for someone who takes that seriously.

If you're drawn to work that shapes how the next generation learns and how discoveries get made, we'd love to connect.

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Keywords: Principal, Education and Science, higher education, biotech, pharma, corporate science, architecture, architect

Preferred Qualifications

Experience on large-scale science and higher education projects.
Experience with biotech, pharma, or corporate science clients.
Experience with general higher education academic buildings and programs.
Extensive knowledge and experience within the local and regional science and education market.
Proven business development experience in education and science consulting industry.
Working knowledge of Revit.
Willing to travel.
Experience and/or interest in sustainable design/LEED.

Required Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Architecture
15 years related experience
A minimum 7 years project management experience
Registered Architect
Must have experience on large-scale projects
Must be able to lead a team on projects and make client presentations
Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project)
Extensive knowledge and experience within the local and regional market
Strong team leadership, mentoring, motivational/organizational and people skills
Excellent written and verbal communication skills
Must be willing to travel
An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture is a must

What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.