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HDR
“Employee‑owned experts in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services.
Company Information
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Conpas Rating

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Overview

HDR is an employee-owned design firm specializing in engineering, architecture, environmental and construction services. We’re ranked No. 6 among the world’s design firms and we’re the largest healthcare design firm.

Groups

Number of Employees

10,001+

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Services Provided

Consulting

Capabilities
Industries
Serviced Businesses
Footprint
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Regions

Europe, North America, Oceania

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Countries

Australia, Canada, United Kingdom, United States Of America

Additional Information
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Year of foundation

1977

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Structure

Privately Held

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Industry

Professional Services

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About

About Us

More Than 100 Years of Making Great Things Possible

Founded in Omaha, Nebraska in 1917 by H.H. Henningson, we began by helping rural Midwest communities adapt to a changing world — bringing power and water treatment to the plains. Over more than a century, we've grown into a global firm with 14,000+ employees and 200+ offices across 15 countries. As a 100% employee-owned firm, every person at HDR has a stake in the quality of work we deliver and the communities we serve. We specialize in architecture, engineering, environmental, and construction services, and our multidisciplinary teams include scientists, economists, builders, analysts, and artists — all working together to solve complex, real-world challenges.

Who we are

Employee-Owners Who Push Boundaries

We are a firm of 14,000+ employee-owners who think globally and act locally. With more than 200 offices around the world, we bring together the right people for each client engagement — the right skills, the right expertise, the right experience — every time. Our people have fueled the firm's growth for over a century not through expansion for its own sake, but through a deep commitment to the communities we work in. We believe that the way we work adds meaning and value to the world, and that collaboration is always the best way forward.

What we do

Engineering, Architecture & Environmental Services Across 17 Markets

We deliver architecture, engineering, environmental sciences, program management, project delivery, planning and consulting, asset management, sustainability and resilience services — and more — across 17 market sectors worldwide. From iconic transportation infrastructure and cutting-edge health facilities to water systems and renewable energy projects, we bring an impressive breadth of technical and creative expertise to every engagement. Our multidisciplinary approach means we don't just design structures — we solve complex, interconnected challenges for clients who want to change their communities for the better.

Our Purpose

A Commitment to Meaningful Work

We believe that the way we work can add meaning and value to the world. That ideas inspire positive change. That coloring outside the lines can illuminate fresh perspectives. And that small details yield important realizations. Above all, we believe that collaboration is the best way forward — and that doing things right creates great things for communities, clients, and future generations.

Our Values

Five Principles That Guide Everything We Do

Live the network — we think global and act local, bringing together the right people with the right skills for every client engagement. Listen first — to find the best answer, we start by understanding the root of the problem. Hold ourselves accountable — we do the right things for the right reasons and take personal responsibility to see things through. Push boundaries — we strive to do things better and stretch further, in our work, our processes, and the careers we enable. Design smart — we tailor our approach to each situation, whether tried-and-tested or cutting-edge, delivering our best work every time.

Why working with us

The Firm That Owns What It Builds

As a 100% employee-owned firm, every HDR professional is personally invested in the outcome of your project. We rank No. 6 on Engineering News-Record's list of top firms, operate in 15+ countries, and have been pushing the boundaries of what's possible for over 109 years. Our multidisciplinary teams — spanning engineers, architects, scientists, economists, and builders — bring a depth and breadth of capability that few firms can match. And because we're employee-owned, our incentives are aligned with yours: to deliver excellent work and make a lasting difference.

Sustainability

Building a Sustainable, Resilient Future

As an employee-owned firm, we strive toward an inclusive, sustainable future — elevating our communities, industry, and professions through human-inspired technical and creative solutions. Making our projects and operations sustainable, resilient, and equitable is at the core of who we are. We have achieved a 22.4% reduction in emissions intensity per employee since 2019, operate on 100% renewable electricity in the UK, and maintain 75+ Sustainability Stewards Program teams across the firm. Our annual Sustainability Report aligns with the Global Reporting Initiative, reflecting our commitment to transparent, accountable progress.

Community & Impact

Rooted in the Communities We Serve

Community impact has been at the heart of HDR since our founder, H.H. Henningson, attended more than 4,000 city council meetings to serve rural towns across the Midwest. Today, that commitment lives on through the HDR Foundation, which channels our employees' energy and resources into meaningful philanthropic support for local communities around the globe. Through global philanthropic funds and a robust grant application process, our employee-owners continue to invest in the places they call home.

Inclusion & Diversity

Welcoming, Valued, Respected

At HDR, doing things right starts by creating meaningful experiences for our employees where they feel welcomed, valued, and respected. By creating an environment that values everyone's unique perspective while prioritizing collaboration and excellence, we attract and retain the industry's most talented professionals. This commitment to inclusion empowers us to do our best work — for our clients, our communities, and each other.

Awards & Accreditations

Recognized for Excellence Across Engineering, Architecture & Beyond

HDR is ranked No. 6 on Engineering News-Record's top firms list and has received extensive recognition from organizations including the American Council of Engineering Companies (ACEC), the American Institute of Steel Construction, the American Society of Civil Engineers, and the American Public Wor... See more

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