Overview In this Principal Laboratory Planner role, you lead programming and planning for physical science research environments, guiding interdisciplinary teams to deliver labs, cleanrooms, and related spaces. You work with clients' leadership to align goals with project scope, schedules, and budgets while advancing sustainable, innovative design. The role blends design leadership, technical planning, and business development to shape high-impact facilities for education and research. You will contribute to HDR's mission of shaping better communities through thoughtful, resilient spaces.
Responsibilities- Lead programming and planning efforts with the project team and client
- Serve as key contact for the client's leadership team
- Define and manage programming budget and schedule in collaboration with the team
- Coordinate programming with design and engineering disciplines
- Direct and mentor planning staff to deliver quality outputs
- Develop program requirements, adjacencies, and spatial relationships
- Prepare program statements, planning documents, and specifications for research and educational spaces
- Write technical specifications aligned with standards and regulatory requirements
- Evaluate lab equipment, cabinetry, and casework and support client selections
- Support program development including benchmarking, BIM library, and planning standards
- Contribute to quality control through peer reviews, charrettes, and mentoring
- Develop and present internal education and training content
- Establish and nurture client relationships and contribute to project captures
- Contribute to proposals, presentations, and program expertise for outreach
- Lead industry presentations and publications to establish thought leadership
- Be actively involved in professional organizations and external communications
- Foster consensus-building and innovative paradigms in research and teaching environments
Key requirements- Bachelor's degree in Architecture
- 15 years related experience
- Minimum 7 years project management experience
- Registered Architect
- Experience leading teams on large-scale projects
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project)
- Willingness to travel
- Strong leadership, mentoring, and communication skills
- Extensive knowledge of local and regional markets
- leadership
- communication
- team collaboration
- Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project)
- graphics software
- knowledge of design guidelines and codes
