Design Principal

HDR, Inc.; Miami (FL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Design Principal in the Miami office to champion design excellence across the region and guide projects from concept through completion. You will lead innovative design solutions for healthcare, science and higher-education initiatives, while mentoring other designers.

The role requires an established design reputation, client presentation skills, and collaboration with office management and discipline leaders. HDR emphasizes sustainability and community impact.

Qualifications

• Lead designer on a range of project scales and complexities.
• Experience on healthcare, science or higher education projects.
• Experience in sustainable and regenerative design.
• Understanding of building physics and low-carbon materials.

Responsibilities

• Champion design excellence for the local office/region.
• Guide initial design concepts from pursuit to project completion.
• Mentor and develop junior design staff.
• Collaborate with office management and discipline leaders on projects.

Skills

Lead designer on complex projects

Healthcare/Science/Higher Ed exp

Sustainable design

Building physics / low-carbon

PMP certification

Team leadership

Client presentations

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Office

Microsoft Project

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.

The Miami office of HDR is in search of a Design Principal to join our growing practice and continue the legacy of providing our clients and communities with creative design solutions that improve the health and human condition of those they serve. HDR is a leader in innovative planning and design, client service and thought leadership on projects locally and throughout the region.

The primary responsibility of the Design Principal is to champion design excellence for the local office/region. This individual must be capable of developing highly innovative, creative, integrated and effective design solutions. Must have an established design reputation evident through design awards, publications, education or other venues, and positive client references. Has the ability to guide initial design concepts and ideas from pursuit and selection through successful project completion on multiple projects. Capable of meeting design excellence goals while meeting management goals and project budgets. Must have the proven 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.

Will be a key design leader at HDR who must have the vision and attitude to lead design efforts from multiple offices, while effectively partnering with office management, project management, and AEP discipline leaders on all efforts. Must be capable of identifying, attracting and retaining key design staff, and will be responsible for targeting and developing strategies for hiring senior and junior design talent. Must be active in local, national or international professional design related organizations.

Will share HDR’s desire to drive compliance with our 3 Pillars: Towards a Regenerative Future, Community Well-Being and Transforming Project Delivery on all projects. Actively work towards meeting HDR sustainable initiatives, elevate sustainable design literacy and ensure that an integrated design process is occurring on all projects. Responsible for spearheading AIA 2030 reporting for their design projects through HDR’s 100% energy modeling initiative. Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience functioning as a lead designer on a variety of project scales and complexities.
• Experience on healthcare, science or higher education related projects.
• Experience in sustainable and /or regenerative design.
• Experience and understanding of basic building physics, low carbon materials and high-performance design strategies.
• PMP certification
• Experience in sustainable and /or regenerative design
• Experience and understanding of basic building physics, low carbon materials and high-performance design strategies

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
• Desire to work towards the integration of holistic sustainable processes into design projects at early design stages
• 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.

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.

Primary Location

United States-Florida-Miami

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

Job Posting

Oct 28, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We are an Affrayative Action and Equal Opportunity Employee.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.