Health Planner Scholar

Health Planning Scholar Program

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 work with HDR’s expert planners and designers on projects around the globe, with travel opportunities and full‑time employment upon completion.

• Understand 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 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, building codes, and building materials.
• Perform other duties as needed.

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

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or 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 related tools and processes.
• Demonstrated graphic presentation skills.
• Active participant of employee‑owned culture.

• Resume
• Portfolio
• Essay Questions (see below)
• Video Response Questions (link after application)

Essay Questions:

• Required:
  • Explain why you are interested in a career in healthcare architecture and how this opportunity will nurture and solidify your career.
  • 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:

• State your name, school, major, and intended graduation date.
• What inspired you to focus on healthcare architecture?
• What fascinates you most about future possibilities in healthcare architecture?

• Applications Close:
  December 31, 2025
• Interviews:
  January 2026
• Candidate Selected/Notified:
  February 2026
• Employment Begins after graduation (June–August 2026)

Expected compensation range varies by skills, experience, education and geographical location. Example ranges:

• California – San Diego & San Francisco: $58,674‑$99,060
• Chicago: $58,674‑$83,820
• Boston: $64,008‑$91,440
• Minneapolis: $56,007‑$80,010
• Pennington: $61,341‑$87,630
• New York City: $66,675‑$95,250
• Seattle: $64,008‑$91,440

• United States – New York, New York
• United States – California, Los Angeles
• United States – California, San Francisco
• United States – North Carolina, Charlotte
• United States – Minnesota, Minneapolis
• United States – Washington, Seattle
• United States – Massachusetts, Boston
• United States – Nebraska, Omaha
• United States – Texas, Dallas
• United States – California, San Diego
• United States – Texas, Houston
• United States – New Jersey, Pennington
• United States – Illinois, Chicago

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer, and we consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest, and conviction records.