Senior Urban Designer

HDR•Denver, CO

12d•Onsite

About The Position

HDR is seeking an energetic, team-oriented Senior Urban Designer to join its interdisciplinary architecture studio in Denver, Colorado. The role supports design and planning work for diverse public- and private-sector clients on projects such as transit-oriented developments, urban mobility corridors, redevelopment districts, campuses, waterfronts, and sustainable mixed-use communities. The successful candidate will collaborate with local designers and teams across HDR’s matrix organization, provide design leadership, contribute to studio culture, and support business development. The position combines urban design leadership, project collaboration, visual communication, staff mentoring, and relationship-building with clients, partners, industry peers, and internal teams.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning or a closely related field.
At least 10 years of experience in environmental consulting, with a successful track record in marketing, urban design project management, staff management, client satisfaction, and business development, and familiarity with local clients and markets; an advanced degree may offset years of experience.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office programs.
Extensive graphics and report-document production experience.
Experience with GIS.
Strong leadership skills and ability to manage in a team environment.
Public speaking ability and strong verbal and written communication skills.
Highly motivated self-starter.
May require ability to travel.
Commitment to active participation in HDR’s employee-owned culture.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in urban design or a related field from an accredited university; candidates with both bachelor’s and master’s degrees may receive elevated consideration.
AICP certification desired.
Proficiency with AutoCAD, SketchUp, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, and rendering software such as RiNo, Grasshopper, Lumion, Enscape, and VRay, including the ability to direct others in using digital tools for urban design solutions, visual communication, and storytelling.
Revit skills.
Hand-sketching and drawing skills.
Strong design and critical-thinking skills, including ideation, concept iteration, and exploration through multiple platforms.
Strong design rigor and clear visual communication.
Exceptional visual storytelling and communication skills, including creating compelling narratives and persuasive visual presentations for clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

Lead and support the urban design discipline across a variety of project types for public- and private-sector clients.
Work on multiple projects simultaneously and collaborate with architects, engineers, and other disciplines.
Lead the development of design thinking and concepts in project work and studio culture.
Create concept and detailed drawings using 2D and 3D digital illustration tools, freehand drawing, and rendering.
Communicate design and planning concepts clearly in writing and spoken presentations.
Leverage project-team members’ computer and hand-graphics skills to support design, visual communication, and storytelling.
Champion urban design as a unifying framework that strengthens planning, engineering, and architectural work through collaboration, creativity, and systems-based thinking.
Mentor and develop urban designers to deliver high-quality design solutions.
Retain professional licensure and continue professional development, as appropriate.
Build and maintain relationships across HDR to connect people, expertise, and ideas across disciplines and geographies, identify opportunities, strengthen teams, and support pursuits and business development.
Build and strengthen relationships with clients, partners, and industry peers; use urban design expertise and understanding of client needs to identify opportunities, shape pursuit strategies, differentiate HDR’s capabilities, and position the firm for new work.