Living Systems Design Engineer

Habitat Horticulture • Berkeley, CA

58d • Onsite

About The Position

Habitat Horticulture is a leader in living architecture. We create living walls, large-scale interior gardens, and planted façades that bring buildings and cities to life. Our work bridges design, engineering, and ecology, creating environments that connect people with nature and contribute to a healthier planet. We’re looking for a Living Systems Design Engineer who loves figuring out how things go together — someone with a technical mind, creative spirit, and hands-on approach to problem solving, with a keen eye for good design and material detail. The Living Systems Design Engineer helps translate design intent into buildable reality. You’ll work closely with architects, engineers, fabricators, and our internal design and installation teams to develop and refine the systems that allow living walls and greenery to integrate seamlessly into buildings and public spaces. This role is ideal for someone with experience in façade systems, architectural detailing, or mechanical/plumbing engineering who’s eager to apply that knowledge to green infrastructure and biophilic design. A strong design aesthetic and experience with interior design finishes are highly valued. A background in horticulture is a plus, but not required; attention to detail and craftsmanship matter most. This position is in-person at our Berkeley warehouse, working directly with our design, fabrication, and installation teams. We’re looking for someone highly dedicated, proactive, and hands-on, who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative, and creative environment.

Requirements

• Experience in technical design, façade systems, or architectural detailing, or extensive in-field experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, or related field preferred.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and/or Revit.
• Strong understanding of building envelopes, waterproofing, and structural coordination.
• Demonstrated ability to translate design concepts into fabrication-ready details.
• Strong design aesthetic with sensitivity to proportion, materials, and finish quality.
• Hands-on experience with mockups, fabrication, or construction environments.
• Clear communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
• Availability to work full-time, in-person at our Berkeley warehouse.

Nice To Haves

• A strong design aesthetic and experience with interior design finishes are highly valued.
• A background in horticulture is a plus, but not required; attention to detail and craftsmanship matter most.

Responsibilities

• Develop technical drawings, 3D models, and fabrication details for living walls, planters, and green façade systems.
• Design mounting, structural, and drainage interfaces for integrating Habitat Horticulture systems into a variety of architectural envelopes.
• Collaborate with architects, engineers, and contractors to ensure constructability, performance, and design integrity.
• Contribute to mockups, testing, and prototype fabrication to evaluate new systems and materials.
• Support R&D efforts for evolving products, helping refine details for manufacturing and installation.
• Assist with quantity takeoffs, submittal packages, and as-built documentation.
• Participate in field visits and coordination meetings to help resolve technical challenges during installation.
• Maintain and improve internal CAD standards, detail libraries, and documentation practices.

Benefits

• Contribute to landmark projects that merge architecture, ecology, and design.
• Collaborate with a passionate, multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers, and horticulturists.
• Be part of a mission-driven company advancing living architecture and green infrastructure.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Number of Employees: 11-50 employees