Architectural Designer

Thornton Tomasetti • San Diego, CA

10d • $78,000 - $92,000

About The Position

As an Architectural Designer in Thornton Tomasetti’s Protective Design & Security practice, you will support risk-based security planning and design that mitigates vulnerabilities and safeguards people and operations while balancing safety, security, usability, and design intent. You will contribute to layered security strategies that connect site planning, architecture, structural systems, electronic security, and operations across buildings, campuses, and mixed-use environments. With team support, you will work collaboratively across disciplines while developing technical, design, and project coordination skills.

The role offers opportunities to learn how security planning, physical security, and electronic security combine to create layered protection strategies. You will support performance-based solutions involving secure site planning, physical hardening, access control, surveillance, and detection, and learn how those measures integrate with security operations.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in architecture, urban design, planning, civil engineering, or a related field.
• Interest in risk-informed security strategy and design in the built environment.
• Strong graphic, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to obtain a U.S. security clearance.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree preferred.
• Familiarity with design, visualization, and documentation tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino/Grasshopper, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, ARC GIS, Unreal Engine, or similar platforms.

Responsibilities

• Support security planning, site planning, and secure design studies for new and existing facilities.
• Assist with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) reviews, site perimeter and lobby design concepts, access control planning, and circulation studies.
• Help prepare diagrams, technical narratives, presentations, and design documentation that communicate security measures clearly.
• Coordinate with architects, engineers, planners, and security specialists in a multidisciplinary team environment.
• Participate in on-site assessments, field surveys, and construction-phase activities.
• Learn the relationship between architectural design, physical security, electronic security, life safety, and building operations.
• Develop familiarity with Thornton Tomasetti’s culture, services, and collaborative working style while growing technical and professional skills.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability, and other voluntary benefits.
• Flexible Spending Accounts for medical and childcare.
• Paid Time Off, family leave for new parents, and volunteer time.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Commuter transit benefits where available.
• 401(k) retirement savings with company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments.
• Fitness reimbursement.
• Wellness, diversity/inclusion, and employee resource programs and initiatives.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level