Principal Laboratory Planner

HDR, Inc.; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. in Los Angeles seeks an experienced Senior Project Architect/PM to lead programming, planning, and coordination for complex research and educational facilities.

You will serve as the primary client liaison, oversee budgets, schedules, and quality deliverables, and mentor planning staff while engaging with multidisciplinary teams to fulfill project goals and regulatory requirements. This role requires travel and deep market knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Minimum 7 years of project management experience.
• Registered Architect.
• Experience on large-scale projects.
• Ability to lead a team on projects and make client presentations.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project).
• Extensive knowledge of the local and regional market.
• Strong team leadership, mentoring, organizational, and people skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Willingness to travel.
• Commitment to an employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead programming and planning efforts with the project team and client.
• Serve as the key contact for the client’s leadership team.
• Establish, track, and maintain the project programming and planning budget.
• Coordinate programming and planning efforts with other design and engineering disciplines.
• Direct preparation of program statements, planning documents, contract documents, and specifications for research, educational, and related spaces.
• Write technical specifications in compliance with standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate lab equipment, cabinetry, and casework and assist clients in the selection process.
• Mentor planning staff regularly, providing guidance for staff development and advancement.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Client presentations

Communication skills

Travel willingness

Team management

Industry knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

MS Office

Job description

Responsibilities

Project Performance

• Lead programming and planning efforts with the project team and client.
• Serve as the key contact for the client’s leadership team.
• Establish, track, and maintain the project programming and planning budget.
• Coordinate programming and planning efforts with other design and engineering disciplines.
• Effectively manage other planning staff.
• Work with the entire project team to meet project schedule, quality deliverables, budgets, and profit goals.
• Lead collection of project requirements such as goals and objectives, facility functions, room requirements, adjacencies, and blocking and stacking.
• Direct preparation of program statements, planning documents, contract documents, and specifications for research, educational, and related spaces.
• Write technical specifications in compliance with standards, best practices, and regulatory requirements.
• Evaluate lab equipment, cabinetry, and casework and assist clients in the selection process.

Program Development and Support

• Mentor planning staff regularly, providing guidance for staff development and advancement.
• Contribute to program‑specific content development such as benchmarking information, BIM library, master specifications, planning standards, etc.
• Participate in the quality control process through peer reviews, project charrettes, and daily mentoring.
• Participate in program and company training, recognition and awards programs.
• Develop and present presentations for in‑house education and training.

Business Development

• Establish and maintain client relationships.
• Participate in project capture planning in collaboration with the business development team.
• Contribute to the development of proposals and presentations.
• Be a difference‑maker in winning work at interviews.
• Contribute to program public relations efforts through speaking engagements, authoring technical papers, participation in professional organizations, etc.
• Create and present program expertise and capabilities to prospective clients.

Industry Expertise

• Be an industry thought leader and knowledge expert.
• Conduct technical presentations at national and international industry conferences and seminars.
• Publish technical articles in industry publications.
• Actively participate in client professional organizations and societies (e.g., Tradeline, SCUP, ISPE, etc.).
• Actively participate in company‑sanctioned social media venues.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Minimum 7 years of project management experience.
• Registered Architect.
• Experience on large‑scale projects.
• Ability 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.
• Willingness to travel.
• Commitment to being an active participant in our employee‑owned culture.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicable planning experience with research and educational facilities.
• Programming, planning and designing experience focused on physical science research environments including cleanrooms, vibration‑sensitive labs, quantum computing, engineering, and beyond.
• Demonstrated experience in client relationship development and related business development.
• Knowledge of applicable planning and design guidelines and codes.
• Commitment to sustainable design; LEED accreditation.
• Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office products and graphics software.

Additional Information

Location: Los Angeles, California.

In accordance with the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA) and other applicable legislation, we are committed to meeting the accessibility needs of persons with disabilities. Candidates with disabilities may request reasonable accommodation throughout the recruitment and selection process by contacting our Human Resources team.

All qualified applicants will receive employment consideration.