Principal, Education and Science

HDR, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 152,000 - 217,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Competitive benefits

Tuition reimbursement

Paid time off

Job summary

HDR, Inc. is seeking a Principal for the Education and Science sector in the Southwest. You will guide strategy, grow a regional client portfolio, and lead complex projects from pursuit to delivery.

You will manage multidisciplinary teams and cultivate relationships with biotech, pharma, and higher education clients, under HDR's employee-owned culture. Ideal candidates have extensive experience in science and education projects, strong business development instincts, and a commitment to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture is required.
• 15 years related experience with PM leadership.
• Registered Architect and able to lead client presentations.
• Experience on large-scale Education and Science projects.
• Knowledge of local/regional market and business development.

Responsibilities

• Set strategic direction for Education and Science sector in the region.
• Build and sustain high-value client portfolio through relationships.
• Lead pursuits from pre-positioning through close and own results.
• Direct project teams with tested leadership.

Skills

Team leadership

Client relationship building

Business development

Communication

Willing to travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

Revit

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.

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 managing 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.

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.

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.) {Pay Transparency Location1}: $152,000 - $217,000

Primary Location: United States-California-Los Angeles

Other Locations: United States-California-San Diego

Industry: Architecture

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: EdSciSport ARC

Job Posting: Sep 3, 2026

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