Project Management Principal (Architecture)

HDR; Arlington (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Project Management Principal in Arlington, VA to lead multiple large-scale initiatives. The role demands significant project management experience, skills in risk mitigation, and strong leadership capabilities to mentor junior staff.

In this full-time position, you will be responsible for managing teams and ensuring project goals are met efficiently. Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Architecture and a commitment to sustainable design.

Qualifications

• 10+ years project management experience.
• Registered Architect with extensive local market knowledge.
• Strong team leadership and mentoring skills.

Responsibilities

• Oversee multiple large-scale projects, ensuring alignment with objectives.
• Mentor junior project managers and manage project staff effectively.
• Develop strategies to mitigate project risks and track financials.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Risk Management

Sustainable design

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project)

Job description

Overview

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 work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

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.

The HDR Architecture business group is seeking a Project Management Principal in their Arlington, VA studio. The ideal candidate will need to exhibit strong leadership, strategic vision, and a proven ability to oversee large-scale initiatives. This role involves managing multiple projects and staff, collaborating with various stakeholders, and ensuring that project goals are met efficiently and effectively. This position requires a proactive, results-driven professional who can lead teams, engage with stakeholders, and drive continuous improvement across the project management function.

Responsibilities

• People
• Direct supervisory responsibility of senior project managers
• Provide expert guidance and leadership to project managers, teams, and cross-functional stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle, including planning, execution, and closure
• Coordinate staffing and workload through entire project life cycle, and ensure completion of deliverables on schedule
• Supervise large project staffs and act as mentor for less-experienced Project Managers
• Mentor and provide career development guidance to junior project managers and staff
• Develop and enforce best practices, standards, and processes for project management, contributing to the continuous improvement of project delivery capabilities
• Actively participate in the development of project management strategies, methodologies, and tools to enhance efficiency and consistency in project delivery
• Facilitate post-project evaluations and lessons learned sessions to ensure knowledge sharing and the ongoing improvement of future projects
• Implement QA/QC procedures

• Performance
• Lead and manage a portfolio of high-value and complex projects from initiation through to successful delivery, ensuring alignment with business objectives and stakeholder expectations
• Identify, analyze, and mitigate project risks, working with the team to develop strategies to address challenges and minimize impact on project timelines and outcomes
• Track financial aspects of projects, and coordinate and adjust work effort with team to ensure that work is completed within parameters of agreed-to budget and schedule
• Work with the Accounting, Operational and Business leadership for periodic project reviews

• Pursuits
• Establish client relations and be involved with marketing, contractual, design and production meetings
• Maintain strong relationships with key business leaders, stakeholders, and vendors to drive successful project outcomes and long-term partnerships

Preferred Qualifications

• A minimum 10+ years project management experience
• Experience in the areas of federal, healthcare, and civic project types a plus
• Experience and/or interest in sustainable design/LEED
• PMP certification
• Preference given to local candidates

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.

Primary Location: United States-Virginia-Arlington Industry: Architecture Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Gen Architecture Job Posting: Jun 11, 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.