Computational Designer

Computational Designer

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? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. We are seeking a skilled Computational Designer to join our team. The successful candidate will be proficient in the architectural design process and adept at integrating computational design techniques across different stages of projects. The ideal candidate will be expected to lead project efforts relating to computational design as an integral member of the Data-Driven Design team at HDR. This role will support HDR globally in advancing design technologies and promoting next-generation design excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

• Craft and deploy innovative computational design strategies, tools, and workflows to augment the architectural design process at diverse stages.
• Engage clients by showcasing the benefits of computational design solutions customized to meet unique needs and solve specific challenges.
• Develop and deploy custom scripts, plug-ins, and data pipelines to accelerate design exploration and automated performance analysis.
• Build and maintain reusable parametric models that support every project phase, from concept through construction documentation.
• Lead and manage multi-disciplinary teams, ensuring clear coordination and timely delivery of computational deliverables.
• Work closely with internal teams to integrate computational design solutions into project workflows for seamless implementation and adoption.
• Embed client-focused data and automated analytics into planning and design decisions to elevate project quality.
• Conduct original research, publish findings in peer-reviewed venues, and present insights at industry conferences to advance thought leadership.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field.
• Expert proficiency in at least two of the following: Grasshopper/Rhino, Revit + Dynamo, Python, C#, JavaScript, or similar scripting languages.
• Demonstrated experience integrating data-driven analyses (geometry optimization, environmental simulation, or generative workflows) into real-world projects.
• Strong visual-communication skills—conveying complex ideas through clear diagrams, dashboards, and presentations.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a service-oriented mindset.
• Experience coordinating with BIM managers and technical leads on large, multi-office projects.
• Familiarity with database-driven design approaches (e.g., SQL, Excel-based data pipelines, Power BI).
• Knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence within the architectural design realm.
• Familiarity with Building Information Modeling (BIM) and related technologies.
• Contributions to open-source projects or published research in computational design or associated areas.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or closely related field.
• Proficient in Rhino and at least one visual programming tool (Grasshopper or Dynamo), familiar with Revit fundamentals.
• Strong ability to interpret drawings and understand basic design/construction terminology.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and visual-communication skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication with non-technical design staff.
• Strong desire and commitment to being an active participant in our employee-owned culture.

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 is to create 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.