Senior Designer

SENIOR DESIGNER

SWA’s Houston office is seeking a SENIOR DESIGNER to join our award-winning team of landscape architects, architects, urban designers, and planners. Its an exciting time to be engaged in the design of cities and communities, and our Houston office is on the forefront of rethinking how designers can tackle the issues of resilience, equity and climate change … while infusing them with beauty and craft.

Our work is global in scale, but grounded in Houston’s communities and ecosystems where we are reinventing the urban fabric of our home town. We engage with public agencies, philanthropic foundations, world-class developers and are active in Houston’s design community. Our projects are largely approached in a prime consultant capacity, giving us the opportunity to create meaningful relationships with our clients while shaping the design response.

If selected to join our team, you will work closely with the Principal group as a team member, design leader, and technical resource on a variety of project types, particularly our fast-paced, ambitious projects in some of the world’s largest rapidly urbanizing locations. Creativity and clarity of design thinking are required, paired with the ability to give form to the projects that you lead. Design presentation and client management skills are essential. This is a unique opportunity to help shape cities and communities where we work, while engaging with a team of world-class designers in Houston and across our US offices.

At SWA, we do a lot of hand drawing to quickly communicate ideas, while utilizing the latest software to build graphic narratives. Computer graphic fluency required for this position includes: 3D modeling and rendering, illustrative plan development, analysis and design diagramming, presentation layout. Demonstrated experience with technical documentation, coordination with consultants, experience with project and client management, and clear verbal and written communication skills are indispensable.

WHY SWA HOUSTON?

• Hone your design leadership skills while helping to grow our global studio.
• We have access to some of the world’s most interesting project opportunities, both nationally and internationally.
• Houston and Harris County are going through rapid urban transformations and our design thinking is in high demand across the region.
• We are an idea-driven studio, great design aspirations guide all aspects of our work.
• You will be empowered to shape projects and conversations through your leadership and ideas with our design team, community, and clients.
• Our team is offered a flexible work approach, where access to exciting design work is balanced with consideration for individual lifestyle needs.
• We offer an opportunity to cross-pollinate with some of the most interesting and recognized national and international voices in design.
• Location: Houston/Harris County is the most ethnically diverse county in the United States and has become a major destination in the national culinary scene. Houston is home to the second largest theater district in the US, world-class museums, professional sports, big nature - and it is all located within our affordable “city of neighborhoods”.
• Unparalleled benefits package unique to SWA, which includes employee stock contributions, profit sharing, and other wealth-building benefits.

PREFERRED REQUIREMENTS:

• Accredited degree in landscape architecture, architecture, urban design or related field of study;
• 7 or more years of experience in a design-focused firm;
• Strong problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills;
• Attention to detail and organization;
• Strong communication skills (written and verbal);
• Effective time management skills;
• Positive attitude and sense of accountability;
• Staff mentorship skills;
• Preferred computer graphics and design communication qualifications:

o Design Communication Software (Adobe Creative Cloud)

o 3D Modeling Software (Rhino, SketchUp, Revit, Lumion, Enscape)

o Parametric Scripts (Rhino Grasshopper)

o Technical Drawing Software (AutoCAD, Revit)

o GIS

To apply for this position, please submit a resume, portfolio of the work you are most proud of, and a cover letter outlining your approach to design, the type of projects that most motivate you, and the design topics that you hope to tackle in your work. This is an exciting opportunity to take the next step in your professional development – we hope you can bring your talent and great energy to our team!