Health Planner Scholar

HDR’s Health Planning Scholar Program is a one‑year immersive program for recent graduates passionate about bettering the health and wellness of the people they design for. The program is open to candidates finishing graduate studies in architecture and health‑related programs. Scholars will work with HDR's expert planners and designers on projects around the globe and may travel. The position’s location will be matched to the candidate’s interest with an HDR office that offers the strongest mentoring opportunity.

Winners receive full‑time employment, attendance to a healthcare architecture conference, and the opportunity to continue their career at HDR after the program’s term.

• Understanding of healthcare trends.
• Provide planning, design, and coordination support on projects.
• Engage in problem solving, teamwork, critical thinking, mathematical reasoning, and visualization to create accurate and detailed drawings.
• Assist the lead Health Planner in preparing presentation drawings, diagrams, and narratives.
• Assist the coordination of all disciplines related to building design and health planning.
• Research, plan, design, and administer building projects for clients, applying knowledge of design construction procedures, zoning and building codes, and building materials.
• Perform other duties as needed.

• A minimum of 1 year experience in the A/E industry preferred.
• Master’s degree in Architecture.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or a closely related field.
• Must possess credentials to obtain future registration.
• Experience with Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Project).
• Desire to pursue growth opportunities and eventually obtain registration.
• Strong leadership, communication, and relationship‑management skills.
• Excellent analytical and problem‑solving skills.
• Proficient in Autodesk Revit and familiarity with related tools and processes.
• Demonstrated graphic presentation skills.
• Commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture.

• Resume
• Portfolio
• Essay Questions:
  • Required
    • Explain why you are interested in a career in healthcare architecture and how this opportunity will nurture and solidify your career in this profession.
    • Explain the importance of healthcare architecture in today’s society.
  • Applicant Chooses Two
    • What do you think the architecture industry will be like in the next 10 years?
    • Pick an experience from your own life and explain how it has influenced your development.
    • Describe how you have demonstrated leadership ability both in and out of school.
    • Why are you a good candidate to be a part of the Scholar Program?
• Video Response Questions: link will come after we receive your application. You will be asked
  • State your name, school, major, and intended graduation date.
  • What inspired you to focus on healthcare architecture?
  • What fascinates you most about the future possibilities in healthcare architecture?

• Applications Close:
  December 31, 2025
• Interviews:
  January 2026
• Candidate Selected/Notified:
  February 2026
• Employment begins after graduation, sometime in June–August 2026

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, arrests, and conviction records.