Urban Design, Planning & Landscape Architecture (UDPLA) Studio Lead
HDR, Pennington, NJ, United States
Overview 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. We foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, continually asking: What is our impact on the world? HDR believes architecture is about providing solutions to societal challenges and creating stronger, more vibrant communities. As part of our Architecture practice, you’ll contribute to the design and delivery of spaces and experiences that advance community well-being around the world. We bring together architects, planners, designers, and technical experts to solve complex design challenges with creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive meaningful change and help define the future of our communities.
In the Princeton UDPLA Studio, the Studio Lead manages a professional staff and collaborates with design and planning principals to market and deliver projects across civic, health, higher education, science & technology, transportation/transit, and water resources sectors. The Studio Lead promotes design excellence through effective team leadership, staffing management, and planned growth of the studio.
Responsibilities Take responsibility for studio operations and design production, including work planning, projections, quality, and technical excellence
Supervise, mentor and develop staff, including fostering morale, professional development, technical training, recruiting and retention
Develop strong internal and external client relationships; engage in business development and marketing efforts to win work
Function as project manager and/or project task lead on concurrent projects, championing design excellence and quality project delivery
Collaborate across urban design, landscape architecture and planning disciplines, and partner with other HDR disciplines to support business development and project delivery
Work with other UDPLA studio leads and the Regional Lead to support workshare, practice growth and implementation of key initiatives
Implement, monitor and support company policy, including QMS procedures and related audits and project reviews
Actively participate in design and community activities that further HDR’s brand
Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and/or master’s degree in landscape architecture, urban planning or urban design from an accredited university
10+ years of multidisciplinary design team experience with leadership in urban design, planning or landscape architecture on a range of project types and scales
Experience and passion for sustainable and regenerative design
Excellent verbal, written, presentation, client and team engagement skills
Strong team leadership, mentoring, motivational, organizational and time management skills
Experience in all design phases, including site analysis, site planning, grading and drainage, conceptual design, construction documentation and construction observation
Proficiency in AutoCAD / Civil3D, Land F/X, Revit and Adobe Creative Suite
Extensive knowledge of local and regional markets
Willingness and ability to travel for work
Preference for candidates currently practicing in the New Jersey market
Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Minimum of 7 years of experience
Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
Strong communication and listening skills
Ability to handle multiple assignments
Good leadership and organizational skills
Active participant in our employee-owned culture
What We Believe HDR is our company. 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. Benefits include 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 on skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.)
Compensation: $126,000 - $180,000
Location and Details Primary Location: United States - New Jersey - Pennington
Industry: Urban Design, Planning, Landscape Architecture
Schedule: Full-time
Employee Status: Regular
Business Class: Urban Design-Planning-Landscape Architecture
Job Posting: Apr 10, 2026
EEO Notice 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.
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In the Princeton UDPLA Studio, the Studio Lead manages a professional staff and collaborates with design and planning principals to market and deliver projects across civic, health, higher education, science & technology, transportation/transit, and water resources sectors. The Studio Lead promotes design excellence through effective team leadership, staffing management, and planned growth of the studio.
Responsibilities Take responsibility for studio operations and design production, including work planning, projections, quality, and technical excellence
Supervise, mentor and develop staff, including fostering morale, professional development, technical training, recruiting and retention
Develop strong internal and external client relationships; engage in business development and marketing efforts to win work
Function as project manager and/or project task lead on concurrent projects, championing design excellence and quality project delivery
Collaborate across urban design, landscape architecture and planning disciplines, and partner with other HDR disciplines to support business development and project delivery
Work with other UDPLA studio leads and the Regional Lead to support workshare, practice growth and implementation of key initiatives
Implement, monitor and support company policy, including QMS procedures and related audits and project reviews
Actively participate in design and community activities that further HDR’s brand
Preferred Qualifications Bachelor’s degree and/or master’s degree in landscape architecture, urban planning or urban design from an accredited university
10+ years of multidisciplinary design team experience with leadership in urban design, planning or landscape architecture on a range of project types and scales
Experience and passion for sustainable and regenerative design
Excellent verbal, written, presentation, client and team engagement skills
Strong team leadership, mentoring, motivational, organizational and time management skills
Experience in all design phases, including site analysis, site planning, grading and drainage, conceptual design, construction documentation and construction observation
Proficiency in AutoCAD / Civil3D, Land F/X, Revit and Adobe Creative Suite
Extensive knowledge of local and regional markets
Willingness and ability to travel for work
Preference for candidates currently practicing in the New Jersey market
Required Qualifications Bachelor’s degree or equivalent experience
Minimum of 7 years of experience
Professional registration, license or certification may be required based on role
Strong communication and listening skills
Ability to handle multiple assignments
Good leadership and organizational skills
Active participant in our employee-owned culture
What We Believe HDR is our company. 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. Benefits include 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 on skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.)
Compensation: $126,000 - $180,000
Location and Details Primary Location: United States - New Jersey - Pennington
Industry: Urban Design, Planning, Landscape Architecture
Schedule: Full-time
Employee Status: Regular
Business Class: Urban Design-Planning-Landscape Architecture
Job Posting: Apr 10, 2026
EEO Notice 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.
#J-18808-Ljbffr