Design Principal

HDR, Inc.; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 140,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. in Phoenix seeks a Design Principal to lead design excellence across projects, mentor teams, and collaborate with leadership to win new work. The role emphasizes entrepreneurial approach, sustainable design, and cross-disciplinary coordination.

The successful candidate will have 15+ years in architecture, 7+ years PM, registered architect, and strong client relations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture.
• 15 years related experience including leadership.
• Registered Architect and large-scale project leadership.
• Experience leading project teams and presenting to clients.

Responsibilities

• Champion design excellence for the local office/region.
• Partner with leadership to meet project goals.
• Participate in marketing pursuits and client interviews.
• Mentor and motivate team members.
• Lead design reviews and establish a design-curious culture.
• Support recruiting and HDR branding.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Presentation skills

Team collaboration

Client relationships

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Office

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.

he Phoenix office of HDR is in search of a Design Principal to join our growing team and continue the legacy of delivering creative design solutions that enhance the health and human condition for our clients and communities. HDR is home to world-class expertise, and the Principal will act as the key connection to these capabilities for our clients. A Design Principal upholds the highest standards of design excellence and innovation, with an entrepreneurial approach to an integrated practice of the firm's overall design strategy. Responsibilities include collaborating across disciplines, market sectors, and local and regional offices to deliver groundbreaking projects. The role involves leading project teams, promoting design excellence and engaging with client leadership and stakeholders, developing professional networks, pursuing new business opportunities, growing your craft, mentoring talent, and providing leadership to project teams and individuals. As Principal you will lead by example, inspire your team and actively promote our collaborative culture. The Design Principal at HDR will participate in the following:

• The primary responsibility of the Design Principal is to champion design excellence for the local office/region
• Partner with Office and Regional Leadership to support operational plans and processes that meet project excellence goals.
• Participate in strategic marketing pursuits, client interviews and presentations to Win New Projects/Clients.
• Serve as a Role Model and Mentor, positively motivating, challenging, inspiring and developing others to pursue Design Excellence.
• Schedule and sponsor Formal and Informal Design Reviews.
• Establish and support a Design Curious office culture that promote Design Excellence and HDR's brand.
• Promote HDR to potential candidates and assist with the interview process for new hires when appropriate.
• Lead Design, Technical and Management objectives with a commitment to the successful completion of multiple projects, in alignment with HDR's Design Philosophy.
• Advocate for Sustainable approaches and practices that promote healthy and regenerative environments and the well-being of occupants.
• Collaborate and Co-create ideas and concepts within a team, and across disciplines in the successful delivery of projects at all scales and complexity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience functioning as a lead designer on a variety of project scales and complexities.
• Experience in institutional clients in Healthcare, Civic, Education, Science, and Transportation Architecture ideal
• Proven record of winning project pursuits and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Experience and/or interest in integrating sustainable building design.
• Excellent leadership and mentoring skills.
• Ability to collaborate and integrate with existing team.
• Active member in industry associations
• Ability to communicate the designs we create through hand sketches, models (physical/virtual), and other media

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.

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.

#LI-JC8

Primary Location: United States-Arizona-Phoenix

Industry: Architecture

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Health ARC

Job Posting: Oct 9, 2026