Project Urban Designer

Project Urban Designer

WATG is the world's preeminent destination and hospitality design firm. We are employee-owned, home to more than 500 professionals globally, located remotely and in our offices in Atlantic City, California, Dallas, New York, Honolulu, London, Singapore, and Shanghai.

Our approach to design applies a hospitality ethos to the development of all shapes and sizes. From initial feasibility studies to finishing touches, we operate globally as an integrated, multidisciplinary practice. Along with our interior design studio, Wimberly Interiors, we specialize in hospitality, gaming + entertainment, urban + mixed-use, and high-end residential design.

We were founded in Honolulu in 1945, and the spirit of the islands taught us to focus on community strength, self-reliance, and sustainability – which we still prioritize today. We passionately believe that culture and heritage are the roots that lead to long-term resilience. We stay true to our values of designing spaces that respect, protect, and enhance the natural magic of their surroundings while delivering long-term value for our clients and their communities.

WATG is hiring a Project Urban Designer for our office in Tustin. This role requires in-person collaboration, with the option to work remotely only on Friday.

The Project Urban Designer collaborates with architects, landscape architects, consultants, and other project members to plan, design, coordinate, and present ideas for a variety of project disciplines, including hospitality, residential, mixed-use, entertainment, and support facilities. These projects occur in various natural, rural, suburban, and urban settings – from islands to mountains to deserts across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. The Project Urban Designer is responsible for research, analysis, design concept ideation and development, interface and coordination with external clients and consultants, as well as internal project teams across the service lines.

Responsibilities include:

• Works closely with senior leaders of the team, including the Project Director, Senior Project Urban Designer, Senior Project Planner, and the Project Manager, in developing creative physical planning concepts on a wide range of master planning project types, including large-scale master-planned development, mixed-use and infill development, resort and hospitality destination master plans, community and neighborhood-scale master planning, and vision master planning
• Conducts site analysis and project research
• Assists with project visioning, land use planning, site planning and programming, footprint layouts, and calculations
• Analyzes, synthesizes, and documents project planning and urban design processes
• Prepares high-quality 2D planning and urban design diagrams and illustrations
• Understands basic architectural design and prepares 3D project base, massing models
• Coordinates and manages project CGI production
• Able to do written reports and deliverable summaries
• Collaborates in writing and compiling a variety of document types, including planning reports, technical memoranda, design narratives, project approach, and design guidelines
• Interfaces with clients, sub-consultants, and other professionals during all stages of project development
• Directs the work and manages the production of planning concepts of other members of the team

Qualifications include:

• Bachelor's degree in urban design, landscape architecture, or architecture
• Relevant urban planning certification preferred
• 7 to 10+ years of experience in urban design, architecture, and/or landscape architecture practices
• Proficient in MS Office, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and SketchUp required
• Proficiency in Rhino, Enscape, and other rendering software desired
• Knowledge of Grasshopper, Ladybug, and other sustainability analysis software and mapping tools desired
• Knowledge of ArcGIS and GIS analysis desired
• Knowledge of Midjourney and other latest AI tools, approved by WATG for project work desired
• Ability to apply technology and software applications creatively to support planning solutions desired
• Working knowledge and experience with land use planning, residential, retail, hospitality, commercial and mixed-use development typologies
• Technical experience with physical design and planning, including site planning and programming, building layout, development yields, and massing modelling
• Solid graphic skills, including hand-sketching ability, visualization renderings (desired), plans, and document layout
• Working knowledge of urban planning, environmental planning, sustainable design, and planning
• Highly effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills

*Please include a copy of your resume and portfolio to be considered for this position.

Salary range: $75,000.00 to $110,000.00 per year. Job type: Full-time.

WATG is an Equal Opportunity Employer.