Principal Landscape Architect

Fashion Institute of Design & Merchandising; Des Moines (IA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Principal Landscape Architect to lead site and public realm design across diverse markets, working with a team of designers to deliver high-impact spaces. The role emphasizes design excellence, collaboration, and client relationships in a dynamic, employee-owned culture.

Ideal candidates bring 15+ years of experience, licensure in relevant states, and proven leadership in multi-disciplinary teams, with proficiency in CAD/BIM tools and advanced rendering software.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in landscape architecture or related field.
• 15 years of landscape architecture experience.
• At least 7 years of project management experience.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD/Civil 3D, LandFX, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong client relationships and business development ability.
• Ability to lead multi-disciplinary design teams.

Responsibilities

• Advocate for design excellence and lead site/public realm design through all project phases.
• Develop and manage client relationships; engage in business development.
• Lead site-design-focused pursuits including scope, schedule and fee; manage projects through all phases.
• Mentor junior staff to grow design and implementation skills.
• Create illustrative concept drawings using 3D/2D tools and renderings.
• Coordinate zoning approvals, public engagement, design reviews and programming.
• Collaborate with urban designers, landscape architects, engineers and planners.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client management

Communication

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

Tools

AutoCAD

Civil 3D

LandFX

Adobe Creative Suite

Revit

Rhino

Lumion

Enscape

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 Urban Design, Planning & Landscape 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

Position Description

The Principal Landscape Architect works with a diverse range of clients and design partners to create vibrant places ranging from urban parks, plazas and streetscapes within a variety of market sectors, including civic, health, science and technology, education, and transit / transportation. The successful candidate will augment and collaborate with a growing team of designers in the following capacity:

In the role of Principal Landscape Architect, we’ll count on you to:

• Advocate for design excellence in every project. Lead and develop site and public realm design through all phases of projects, from master planning and concept development through construction documentation and construction observation
• Lead and support development of strong client relationships; engage in business development and marketing efforts to win work
• Lead the pursuits of site-design-focused projects; develop the project proposal including scope, schedule and fee; lead and manage project through all phases
• Mentor early career professionals and others to further their growth in design and implementation, client management, and their influence in the design culture within the studio
• Create and direct others to develop illustrative concept drawings using 3D and 2D digital illustration tools, free hand drawing, and digital color renderings
• Lead zoning and site plan approvals, public engagement, design charrettes, development programming, design review and implementation
• Coordinate workload to ensure deadlines are met, reviewing documents for areas of conflict with other disciplines, writing and editing site design specifications
• Collaborate with urban designers, landscape architects, architects, planners, engineers and other disciplines on commercial and institutionally scaled planning and design projects
• Provide excellent communication, time management, graphic and organizational skills
• Perform other duties as needed

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum of 15 years experience working as a landscape architect
• Professional Landscape Architect licensed in Iowa and Nebraska
• Master’s degree in Urban Design, Landscape Architecture or related field
• Experience and passion for sustainable and/or regenerative design
• Experience with the full range of planning and design phases including site analysis, community and site planning, conceptual development, construction documentation and observation
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively within multi-disciplinary design teams
• Significant experience leading a design team through construction document preparation, with attention to design quality and technical detailing
• Proven initiative and experience developing client relationships, including pursuit strategy and proposal content
• Experience identifying, attracting and maintaining key staff. Capable of strategically growing and retaining a team with strong talent.
• Professional and community involvement: engaged in key industry and community organizations such as ASLA, APA, AIA, ULI and others that may be relevant locally
• Excellent communication, time management, graphic and organizational skills
• Experience with AutoCAD / Civil 3D, Land F/X, and Adobe Creative Suite
• Experience directing others to apply digital rendering and production tools, including Revit + Environment, Rhino, Lumion, VRAY, Enscape, Twinmotion, etc.
• Willingness to travel for project work and internal collaboration with the HDR urban design, planning and landscape architecture practice

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field or an equivalent combination of education and related professional experience
• 15 years related experience
• A minimum of 7 years project management experience
• Proficient with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• 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.

Schedule

Full-time

Employee Status

Regular

BusinessClass : Urban Design-Planning-Landscape Architecture

Job Posting

Aug 26, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity.

We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.