About Us

At HDR, we specialize in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. While we are most well-known for adding beauty and structure to communities through high-performance buildings and smart infrastructure, we provide much more than that. We create an unshakable foundation for progress because our multidisciplinary teams also include scientists, economists, builders, analysts and artists. That's why we believe diversity is our greatest strength. HDR is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace and an affirmative action employer.

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We believe that the way we work can add meaning and value to the world. That ideas inspire positive change. That coloring outside the lines can illuminate fresh perspectives. And that small details yield important realizations. Above all, we believe that collaboration is the best way forward, even during times of separation.

We are currently searching for a Principal to join our Pennington team focused on planning and designing exciting spaces for colleges and universities and corporate life science. Places that inspire students to learn, researchers to discover; spaces that promote curiosity and allow communities to thrive. The successful candidate will work together with architects, engineers, and other design professionals as part of a collaborative interdisciplinary team. We are an employee-owned, expertise-driven practice that balances deep technical knowledge with the highest degree of creativity which results in award-wining design.

We design facilities that support life-changing scientific advances and that foster discovery. We believe that at the root of all good design is an understanding of human behavior, and how the physical environment can affect these behaviors.

We are consistently ranked #1 in Science and Technology and have been recognized by the industry's Lab of the Year program 11 times for designing facilities in which world-class scientists can discover cures for insidious diseases, create new sources of clean energy, protect our resources, and improve public health-enriching people's lives around the world. Seamlessly integrating our science and education expertise, we are leading the transformation of learning environments at the world's top academic institutions to better prepare the next generation's leaders.

Primary Responsibilities

In the role of Principal for our Education, Science and Community (EdSciCom) practice, you will help establish and guide the overall direction of this sector in the local New Jersey market and elsewhere in the northeast and mid-Atlantic region. The successful candidate must possess the drive, experience and charisma needed to secure a robust client base and to solidify an unrivaled reputation for the core team throughout the northeast region.

The role includes a variety of duties ranging from annual planning to closing on pursuits and directing project teams. Critical to this role is a proven history and commitment to developing and nurturing strong relationships with multiple clients in the EdSciCom sector. Beginning with pre-positioning activities and continuing through (and beyond) the life of project execution, these relationships will be essential to creating opportunities and maintaining HDR's position for future work.

Responsibilities include:

• Leadership and visioning for the EdSciCom sector.
• Developing capture plans and initiating relationships with key clients.
• Maintaining an active and visible presence in the EdSciCom sector, allocating time in proportion to annual fee goals for the local region.
• Helping develop qualifications and proposals for EdSciCom pursuits.
• Leading pursuit go/no-go and strategy discussions.
• Directing interview strategies and implementation.
• Preparing and negotiating project contracts.
• Serving as Principal-in-Charge on projects as appropriate.
• Working closely with local leadership to maintain project oversight throughout execution, including conformance to client expectations for technical/quality, financial performance, and schedule adherence.
• Providing mentorship and guidance to staff in support of career development.

In collaboration with EdSciCom subject matter experts, and independently when appropriate, developing abstracts and presentations for industry conferences, seminars, workshops, and other similar events promoting program messages, research, project outcomes, lessons learned, trends, etc. related to facility design.

Project types include learning / teaching environments and research and development facilities for academic, institutional, and corporate sector clients. Projects can include buildings for the life sciences, physical sciences, biocontainment, animal research, public health, and related support facilities. Project opportunities are largely within the northeast and mid-Atlantic region but may extend to neighboring states and potentially abroad due to personal relationships, particular expertise, project needs, etc.

*LI-SA1

• Bachelors Degree in Architecture, Engineering or closely related field.
• 15 years related experience.
• A minimum 7 years project management experience.
• Registered Architect or Professional Engineer.
• Must have experience on large-scale education or science projects.
• Experience and/or interest in sustainable design/LEED.
• 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 education and science market.
• Proven business development experience in education and science consulting industry.
• 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.

Why HDR

At HDR, we know work isn't only about who you work for; it's also about what you do and how you do it. Led by the strength of our values and a culture shaped by employee ownership, we network with each other, build on each other's contributions, and collaborate together to make great things possible. When you join HDR, we give you license to do the same. We help you take charge of your career, giving you multiple growth opportunities along the way.