Principal, Interiors

HDR, Inc.; New York (NY); On-site; USD 162,000 - 219,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Retirement plan

Job summary

HDR, Inc. in New York seeks a Principal, Interiors to lead cross-disciplinary teams and deliver design solutions in health, education, and civic spaces. You will connect HDR’s capabilities with clients, guiding project teams through complex interiors projects.

The role requires 15+ years of design leadership, licensure, and a passion for sustainable, community-focused design. NYC location, full-time, with employee-ownership culture.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture (from an accredited school) or closely related field.
• Active Interior Design Certificate holder or Registered Architect in the country you reside.
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in relevant design firm environment.
• Must be able to lead a team on projects, develop presentations and present to clients.
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs.
• Extensive knowledge and experience within the local and regional market.
• Strong team leadership, collaboration, mentoring, motivational/organizational, and people skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Partner with Interiors and Office Leadership to support operational plans and processes that meet project excellence goals.
• Lead and cultivate a high-performance, team-driven culture by providing strong, intentional Leadership
• Participate in strategic marketing pursuits, client interviews and presentations to Win New Projects/Clients
• Advocate for improvement and maintenance of project excellence.
• 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 Office Environments and cultures 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
• Display Technical Knowledge related to creation and completion of documents and details across all phases of a project.
• Advocate for Sustainable approaches and practices that promote healthy 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.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Presentations

Team collaboration

People skills

Business development

Education

Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture (accredited)

Active Interior Design Certificate holder or Registered Architect

Sustainability credentials/certifications

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

Revit

Rhino

Enscape

Bluebeam

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.

HDR is seeking a Principal, Interiors 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 Principal upholds the highest standards of design excellence and innovation, with an entrepreneurial approach to Interiors and Architecture as an integrated component 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.

Principal, Interiors at HDR will participate in the following:

1. Partner with Interiors and Office Leadership to support operational plans and processes that meet project excellence goals.
2. Lead and cultivate a high-performance, team-driven culture by providing strong, intentional Leadership.
3. Participate in strategic marketing pursuits, client interviews and presentations to Win New Projects/Clients.
4. Advocate for improvement and maintenance of project excellence.
5. Serve as a Role Model and Mentor, positively motivating, challenging, inspiring and developing others to pursue Design Excellence.
6. Schedule and sponsor Formal and Informal Design Reviews.
7. Establish and support Office Environments and cultures that promote Design Excellence and HDR's brand.
8. Promote HDR to potential candidates and assist with the interview process for new hires when appropriate.
9. Lead Design, Technical and Management objectives with a commitment to the successful completion of multiple projects, in alignment with HDR's Design Philosophy.
10. Display Technical Knowledge related to creation and completion of documents and details across all phases of a project.
11. Advocate for Sustainable approaches and practices that promote healthy environments and the well-being of occupants.
12. 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

• Professional Registration/Licensure at the local level
• Active member in industry associations
• Sustainability Credentials/Accreditations/Certificates in the country you reside
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, Revit, Rhino, Enscape, Bluebeam
• Stronger consideration will be given to candidates with Health, Science, Higher Education and/or Civic experience
• Preference given to local candidates

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Interior Design, Interior Architecture, Architecture (from an accredited school) or closely related field
• Active Interior Design Certificate holder or Registered Architect in the country you reside
• A minimum of 15 years of experience in relevant design firm environment
• Must be able to lead a team on projects, develop presentations and present to clients
• Experience with Microsoft Office programs
• Extensive knowledge and experience within the local and regional market
• Strong team leadership, collaboration, mentoring, motivational/organizational, and people skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

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.) {New York City}: $162,000 - $219,000

*LI-MJ1

Primary Location: United States-New York-New York

Industry: Interiors

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Interiors

Job Posting: Jan 21, 2026