Principal Laboratory Planner

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?

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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.

We are currently looking for a Principal Laboratory Planner to join our Education and Science practice. An exciting position for the right person, it involves leading laboratory programming and planning for a broad range of projects with a focus on physical science research environments including cleanrooms, vibration sensitive labs, quantum computing, engineering and beyond. This person will work together with designers, project architects, building engineers, and other design professionals as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team. We strive to distill some of the most technologically complex facility types into simple and elegant architecture that creates comprehensible places where people want to be.

Particularly, we are looking for a Principal Planner who can build consensus among groups, to move forward with new and innovative paradigms for research and teaching environments and associated office and support spaces. The ideal candidate should be abreast of current and future trends affecting clients and projects and have a deep interest and understanding of physical science research and environments. We believe in challenging convention to create new, innovative spaces for our research clients that reflect the astounding scientific breakthroughs they are aspiring to and achieving.

Project Performance

• Lead programming and planning efforts with project team and client.
• Be key contact for client's leadership team.
• Establish, track and maintain project programming and planning budget.
• Coordinate programming and planning efforts with other design and engineering disciplines.
• Effectively manage other planning staff.
• Work with 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 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 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 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 (i.e. Tradeline, SCUP, ISPE, etc.).
• Actively participate in company-sanctioned social media venues.

Preferred Qualifications

• Applicable planning experience with research and educational facilities.
• Programming, planning and designing 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 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.

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 $151984 - 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 ( We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.