Senior Project Designer (healthcare)

Senior Project Designer – Healthcare Focus

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. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

At HDR, we design environments that support healing, advance medical innovation, and improve lives. As a Senior Project Designer in our San Francisco architecture studio, you'll be part of a collaborative team shaping the future of healthcare — creating patient-centered spaces, advanced clinical facilities, and transformative campuses that redefine how care is delivered.

Our San Francisco team is at the forefront of healthcare design, with recent projects that include:

• A new academic medical center integrating teaching, research, and advanced patient care in one cohesive campus.
• Next-generation outpatient and specialty care centers designed to improve access, experience, and outcomes.
• Major hospital renovations and replacements that modernize aging infrastructure while elevating patient experience.
• Behavioral health and wellness environments that bring dignity, safety, and therapeutic design principles to care spaces.

What You'll Do:

• Take a leading role in designing innovative healthcare environments, collaborating with the Design Principal and multidisciplinary teams from concept through construction.
• Explore and develop creative design solutions that balance aesthetics, functionality, and healing-centered principles.
• Create presentation materials and actively participate in client meetings, internal critiques, and agency reviews to gain project approvals.
• Ensure design solutions align with code, cost, and clinical requirements, supporting operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.
• Coordinate design efforts with architects, engineers, planners, and healthcare specialists throughout all phases of the project.
• Facilitate design workshops and charrettes, integrating user feedback and clinical workflows into the design process.
• Oversee and guide the design team's work, ensuring deliverables meet high standards and deadlines.
• Review architectural documents to identify and resolve design and interdisciplinary conflicts.
• Contribute to specifications and documentation to maintain design intent through construction.
• Support construction administration activities, ensuring that the built environment reflects the original design vision.
• Mentor junior designers and help shape the creative culture of our healthcare design practice.
• Perform other duties as needed.

What We're Looking For:

• Master's degree in Architecture (or equivalent experience).
• Registered Architect preferred.
• Evidence of a good design understanding e.g. a good design portfolio.
• Proven experience designing healthcare facilities — hospitals, outpatient centers, clinics, or medical research environments.
• Interest or experience in evidence-based and sustainable design (LEED experience strongly preferred).
• Proficiency in design and visualization tools such as Photoshop, Illustrator, Rhino, Enscape, V-Ray, Grasshopper, Lumion, SketchUp, and 3ds Max.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture or closely related field.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project Schedule).
• Excellent written and communication skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in use of Autodesk Revit and familiarity with related tools and process.
• Demonstrated graphic presentation skills.
• Strong knowledge of codes and good planning skills.
• Attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture.

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. 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. Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. The expected compensation range for this position is $118,846.00 - $169,780.00 annually depending upon skills, experience, education and geographical location.

Primary Location: United States-California-San Francisco

Industry: Architecture

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Gen Architecture

Job Posting: Oct 28, 2025

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.