Culture
Thoughtful design begins with how we treat one another. HED values the range of perspectives, backgrounds, and disciplines across our teams because they strengthen both the work and the workplace.
In practice, that means listening well. It means challenging ideas without diminishing people. That might look like a project team pausing mid-review because a junior designer sees a conflict others missed. On any given day, new ideas are tested and the work improves because room is made for people to speak up. That is how we make the work and each other better. No one succeeds here alone, and no one is expected to. We do it as a team.
Growth is part of our culture at HED and another one of our core values. It shows up in how you lead conversations, how you navigate complexity, and how you take ownership of outcomes. While roles evolve and titles change, what we feel is the true marker of development is seeing the expansion of trust places in you and the confidence you build in others.
We support licensure and certification along with investing in mentorship. Our employee resource groups provide forums for mentorship, support, and community. Your goals, skills, and interests help shape your path and the opportunities you take on.
Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI)
At HED, equity is practiced, not proclaimed. This conviction shapes how we hire, lead, and make decisions. Inclusion is built into the structure of the firm through transparent policies, equitable pay practices, inclusive benefits, and intentional opportunities for connection and advancement.
Our JEDI Council guides and challenges this ongoing work. We have made measurable progress in how we review compensation and open pathways for advancement. HED creates space for learning and dialogue that moves beyond awareness and toward action. And our leadership team recognizes where gaps remain and acts on them so equity is experienced, not just intended.
These convictions also inform how we work outside the firm. HED partners with Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises and supports other organizations advancing diversity in our industry. We offers paid volunteer time so our people can contribute to causes that matter to them.
Diverse teams make better decisions and produce stronger design. This belief shapes the culture HED has built and the future we intend to help create. And that’s something we’re proud of.
Commitment
Our team embeds social justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion into how we work every day. This is reflected in how we hire, lead, and make decisions. It shapes the experience of our teams and the environments we create together.
Our commitment is reinforced through accountability. HED is recognized by the International Living Future Institute as a JUST organization and named among the National Best and Brightest Companies to Work For. We are signatories of the AIA 2030 Commitment and the MEP 2040 Challenge, advancing sustainable, people-centered solutions across the built environment. These affiliations hold us to measurable standards and continuous improvement.
That same responsibility extends to the future of our profession.
HED | IDEAS (Intern Development for Architecture and Engineering Students)
We invest in future talent with intention. The IDEAS internship program immerses students in professional practice from day one. Interns contribute to active projects, work alongside architects and engineers, and engage in one-on-one mentorship that supports both technical growth and professional development.
Weekly workshops explore the business and leadership dimensions of the profession—areas often overlooked in academic settings but essential to long-term success.
Here, interns are not observers; they are hands-on participants. They collaborate, problem-solve, and grow right alongside us.
Community
The environments our teams design affect how people live, work, heal, and gather. Decisions made in our studios carry forward into classrooms, hospitals, homes, and public spaces. We take that responsibility seriously.
Design choices aren’t isolated or abstract. At HED, you’ll be asked to think about how factors like materials, budgets, and timelines influence who feels welcome, how space is used, and how long a building continues to serve its community.
Sustainability isn’t an add-on feature. It’s built into our thinking, from resilient design strategies to LEED-certified projects and measurable efficiency goals that extend a building’s impact well beyond its walls.
More than just our projects, HED embraces the humanitarian role of design through volunteerism, outreach, and partnerships that strengthen the communities where we live and work. Everyone at HED strives to lead with purpose, build with care, and contribute to a brighter future.
Benefits
We know life and careers don’t follow a single path. That’s why our benefits are designed to meet you where you are, with the understanding that people do their best work when they are supported as whole individuals. Each benefit reflects a commitment to stability, flexibility, and long-term well-being.
Here’s what you can count on:
Health & Wellness
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans for you and your family.
Time Off That Counts
At least three weeks of vacation, two weeks of sick time, plus paid holidays and family leave.
Flexibility That Works
Remote, hybrid, and in-office schedules that support how you work best.
Planning for Tomorrow
A 401(k) with company match and a student loan repayment benefit that contributes to your retirement savings when you make qualifying loan payments.
Professional Growth
Ongoing development through mentorship, training, certification support, and continuing education.
Family First
Leave policies that support caregiving for loved ones, including pets.
Opportunity to Give Back
Paid volunteer time to invest in causes and communities you care about.
Balance and Restoration
Resources and programs that support your full well-being, inside and outside the workplace.
