Architecture Design Principal/Studio Lead

HDR; Boston (MA); On-site; USD 190,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Medical/dental/vision benefits

Retirement plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time away

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Design Principal / Design Studio Lead in Boston to raise design dialogue and excellence across our practice. You will lead design teams, mentor junior designers, and coordinate with cross-office leaders to meet ambitious goals and budgets.

The role rewards proven leadership and client relationship skills within our employee-owned culture. You’ll work on projects across sectors and help advance sustainable design while collaborating with architects, planners and technical staff

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Architecture or closely related field.
• 15+ years experience functioning as a lead designer on multiple scales.
• Professional architectural registration.
• Experience with institutional clients in Healthcare, Civic, Education, Science and Transportation Architecture.
• Proven track record of winning project pursuits and strong client relationships.
• Experience and/or interest in integrating sustainable building design.
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Must be capable of leading a team and presenting to clients.
• Collaborates well with existing teams.
• Preference for candidates in the greater Boston area.

Responsibilities

• Develop highly innovative, integrated design solutions.
• Guide concepts from pursuit through completion on multiple projects.
• Set design excellence goals while managing budgets.
• Mentor and train junior design staff and AE teams.
• Lead design efforts across multiple offices and collaborate with project management.
• Attract and retain key design staff and develop internal talent.
• Active participation in professional design organizations.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Project management

Team collaboration

Education

Master’s degree in Architecture

Bachelor’s degree in related field

Tools

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

Scheduling software

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: 'https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

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 are currently searching for a Design Principal / Design Studio Lead for our Boston office who will raise the floor and ceiling of our design capabilities through leadership of design dialogue, culture, and design excellence across our practice. In the role of Design Principal, we'll count on you to:

• Develop highly innovative, creative, integrated and effective design solutions.
• Bring an established design portfolio and reputation evident through design awards, publications, education or other venues, and positive client references.
• Guide initial design concepts and ideas from pursuit and selection through successful project completion on multiple projects.
• Set and support teams to meet design excellence goals while considering management goals and project budgets.
• Have experience and take initiative to teach and train other designers and interdisciplinary AE project teams in the essentials of design excellence and in the critical tenets of HDR’s Design Philosophy.
• Effective in mentoring and developing junior design staff, challenging, inspiring and/or motivating others to join in the constant pursuit of design excellence.
• Be a key design leader at HDR with the vision and attitude to lead design efforts, including collaborating across multiple offices, while effectively partnering with project management and key leaders on all efforts.
• Identify, attract and retain key design staff, identifying and developing skills of internal design talent as well.
• Must be active in local, national and/or international professional design related organizations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Architecture or closely related field.
• 15+ years experience functioning as a lead designer on a variety of project scales and complexities.
• Professional architectural registration.
• Experience in institutional clients in Healthcare, Civic, Education, Science, and Transportation Architecture
• Proven track record of winning project pursuits and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Experience and/or interest in integrating sustainable building design.
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills.
• Excellent writing and communication skills.
• Must be capable of leading a team and making client presentations.
• Ability to collaborate and integrate with existing team.
• Preference given to candidates currently residing in the greater Boston area
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and related professional experience
• 15 years related experience
• A minimum of 7 years project management experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• 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.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.

The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {Boston}: $190,000- $225,000 Primary Location:United States-Massachusetts-Boston Industry:Architecture Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Gen Architecture Job Posting:Aug 29, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Aff... and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.