Senior Urban Designer/Master Planner

Grimshaw is a global architecture and design studio of ideas and invention, driven by a desire to connect people to each other and the world around us. We recognize the urgency of the challenges that face our planet, and our duty to deliver architecture and design best suited for a flourishing future. Our studios are founded on analysis and exploration. We relish the challenges inherent across a wide range of work, engaging our expertise and agility to deliver lasting, meaningful design that brings value and joy to clients and users. At Grimshaw, we encourage creativity, collaboration and innovation. We want our staff to be fulfilled by their time with us as we know the key to our continuing success is working with and engaging the most talented people we can find.

We are currently seeking Senior Architects and Urban Designers to join our New York studio for a range of master planning projects. The ideal candidate has experience leading planning projects, is a great designer, highly motivated, well organized and thoughtful. The candidate will have good communication skills, enjoys working collaboratively with others, and is reliable, trustworthy and detail-oriented.  

Position overview:

A successful candidate will support project leaders on a range of master planning projects, including mixed-use, commercial, transit, cultural and others. The roles will cover urban research and analysis, complex planning studies, placemaking concepts, program test-fits, sustainability strategies, conceptual design studies and development framework/guideline implementation plans. Deliverables vary but can include preparation of illustrated reports with diagrams and plans, open space strategies, systems/sustainability overlays, street-level studies and massing test-fits, as well stakeholder engagement strategies and technical support to project team members.

What you will do:

• Work collaboratively with all team members to cultivate placemaking, develop planning concepts and resolve technical challenges through diagrams, program studies, 3D modeling and data visualization.

• Urban design: illustrating urban design, master planning, placemaking and architecture concepts; explanation and analysis of site history and legislative/stakeholder context, as well as a project's requirements to develop master planning framework guidelines. Review drawings for design projects, with an understanding of the relationship between the proposal and the site context and planning framework.

• Architecture: illustrating concepts around different types of architecture with an emphasis on sustainable design, explanation and analysis of a project's requirements to develop project briefs, massing strategies and guidelines. Contribute to the design of projects at different phases

• Strong understanding of the conceptual design and space planning of various building types including commercial, retail, cultural and transit hubs.

• Participate in managing client relationships and engage with Grimshaw’s other design and engineering consultants

• Implement quality control procedures to assure documents and design standards are met, and that regional and jurisdictional planning and site design requirements are addressed

• Exhibit passion and strive for design excellence

• Help contribute to the life of the studio: studio-wide initiatives and challenges, design and sustainability culture, and the broader social and wellness culture at Grimshaw.

Qualifications and Skills: 

• At least 5+ years’ relevant professional experience
• Strong design sensibilities and demonstrable spatial thinking
• Accredited degree in architecture or urban design
• Proficiency in Rhino and Revit is prioritized
• 3D and CAD proficiency and strong graphic skills
• Time management and prioritization skills
• Meticulous attention to detail
• Ability to communicate clear design ideas and direction quickly

 Desired Experience:

• Experience of working collaboratively in mid to large sized teams and projects is prioritized
• Experience of designing net-zero carbon projects
• Experience in mixed-use master planning including Workplace, Transit, Cultural and Research/Technology sectors strongly prioritized
• Experience in Higher Education, Sports and other sectors also valuable

Grimshaw is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, alienage or citizenship status, age, disability or handicap, sex, gender identity, marital status, familial status, veteran status, sexual orientation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state or local laws. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues.

Salary Range: $70,000 - $120,000

Applications will not be considered without a portfolio and work samples