Principal Laboratory Planner

HDR; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 151,984 - 217,120; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid time away and parental leave

Retirement savings plan with employer match

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

A leading architecture firm is seeking a Principal Laboratory Planner to lead programming and planning for advanced research environments. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and at least 15 years of related experience, including 7 years in project management. Responsibilities include managing project budgets, ensuring alignment with client needs, and mentoring staff. This position offers a comprehensive benefits package and requires excellent communication skills. The firm values an inclusive culture and is committed to employee well-being.

Qualifications

• 15 years related experience in design and planning.
• A minimum of 7 years project management experience.
• Registered Architect with experience on large-scale projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead programming and planning efforts with project team and client.
• Serve as the key contact for the client’s leadership team.
• Establish and maintain project programming budgets.

Skills

Project Management

Client Relationship Development

Team Leadership

Technical Writing

Sustainable Design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Office

Job description

HDR is committed to an inclusive culture where each of us is valued and empowered to bring our authentic selves and ideas to work every day. Our employee-owners aim to make a positive impact on communities around the world.

Overview

We believe architecture is about providing solutions to societal challenges and creating stronger, more vibrant communities. As part of HDR’s Architecture practice, you’ll contribute to the design and delivery of spaces and experiences that advance community well-being. From healing environments and learning spaces to research labs and civic landmarks, your work will influence how people experience the built world. We bring together architects, planners, designers, and technical experts to solve complex design challenges with creativity, curiosity, and collaboration.

This role focuses on leading laboratory programming and planning for physical science research environments, including cleanrooms, vibration-sensitive labs, quantum computing, and engineering projects. You will work with designers, project architects, building engineers, and other design professionals as part of an interdisciplinary team.

We are seeking a Principal Laboratory Planner to join our Education and Science practice. The right candidate will build consensus across groups to move forward with innovative paradigms for research and teaching environments and related office and support spaces. The ideal candidate stays current with trends affecting clients and projects and demonstrates a deep interest in physical science research and environments.

Responsibilities

Project Performance

• Lead programming and planning efforts with project team and client.
• Serve as the key contact for the client’s leadership team.
• Establish, track and maintain project programming and planning budgets.
• Coordinate programming and planning efforts with other design and engineering disciplines.
• Effectively manage other planning staff.
• Collaborate with the 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, 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 Quality Control 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 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 through speaking engagements, authoring technical papers, and participation in professional organizations.
• 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.
• Participate in client professional organizations and societies (e.g., Tradeline, SCUP, ISPE).
• Participate in company-sanctioned social media venues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicable planning experience with research and educational facilities.
• Programming, planning and design focus in 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.

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 in 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 ranges: Los Angeles $151,984 - 217,120; San Diego $145,376 - 207,680; San Francisco $171,808 - 245,440; Seattle $158,592 - 226,560; Chicago $145,376 - 207,680; Denver $145,376 - 207,680; New York $165,200 - 236,000; Vancouver $172,095 - 245,850

Primary Location: United States-California-Los Angeles

Other Locations: United States-California-San Francisco, United States-New York-New York, United States-Georgia-Atlanta, United States-Minnesota-Minneapolis, United States-Washington-Seattle, Canada-British Columbia-Vancouver, United States-Texas-Dallas, United States-Colorado-Denver, United States-California-San Diego, United States-Texas-Houston, Canada-Ontario-Toronto, United States-Illinois-Chicago

Industry: Architecture

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: EdSci Planning

Job Posting: Mar 10, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.