What are the responsibilities and job description for the Computational Design Specialist position at Populous?
Computational Design Specialist
Location: Kansas City
Who We Are:
We design places where people love to be together.
Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus: to draw people together around the things they love, through experiences that capture all the senses, amplifying the atmosphere of excitement and pure joy shared in human moments.
We’ve designed and delivered some of the world's most memorable civic, sports and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadia to ground-breaking live music venues. Populous is where architects and designers of all kinds create moments bigger than ourselves. We offer the best of both worlds: the resources and impact of the design giants and the tightly knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms.
What We Offer:
Professional & Personal Development Programs Summer Hours Hybrid Schedule On-Site Gym Paid Architect Licensure & Certifications Exams Wedding Pay Charitable Match Program Market Leading Wellness Health and Welfare Benefits.
Who We Are Looking For:
We are seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Computational Design Specialist to join our expanding Global Digital Team. As part of this dynamic team of computational and digital specialists, you will contribute to the development of industry-leading systems, workflows, tools, and products.
What Your Day Could Consist Of:
- Collaborate with project teams’ company-wide to understand their requirements, address design challenges, and optimize workflows using computational techniques and methods.
- Partner with project teams’ company-wide to apply computational techniques and methods that address design challenges and optimize workflows.
- Work within an agile development framework, focusing on the creation of scalable, repeatable, and widely applicable tools.
- Work as part of a global specialist team to deliver tailored solutions to Populous’ internal teams and external clients.
- Develop and implement innovative computational tools, custom applications, and workflows to automate tasks, enhance interoperability, facilitate design exploration, and optimize data management.
- Ensure workflows, tools, and processes are well-documented and maintained for consistent application and future use.
- Advocate for and share new tools, workflows, and best practices across Populous’ global studios.
- Keep abreast of emerging technologies, innovations, and best practices in computational design.
- Participate in internal and external publications, presentations, seminars, and talks to highlight advancements in innovation and research.
- Actively contribute to team discussions, workshops, and presentations to foster growth and development within the team.
- Perform other duties as required to support team and organizational goals.
Requirements For Success:
- Demonstrates outstanding communication skills and a team-oriented mindset, fostering effective collaboration across diverse teams.
- Highly self-motivated with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, deadline-driven environments.
- Proven expertise in innovative design thinking, collaborative problem-solving, architectural production, spatial and environmental design, story development, and delivering exceptional design solutions.
- Proficiency in rendering and 3D modeling software (e.g., 3DS Max, SketchUp, Maxwell Render) and computational tools, with a strong interest in programming (C# and Python).
- Exceptional sketching and freehand drawing skills, capable of producing impactful sketches to effectively communicate and present design concepts. Advanced proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign, is preferred.
- Familiarity with web development tools and frameworks is a plus
Essential Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture from an accredited program.
- A minimum of 3 years of relevant architectural experience in a professional setting.
Additional details:
- Travel will be required.
- Overtime may be necessary.
Populous offers a competitive salary and bonus packages. We strive to offer our staff the best benefits package in the industry, at the lowest cost to employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k, FSA/HSA, paid time off and continuing education benefits. Populous is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
No. 1 Most Innovative Company in Architecture by Fast Company
No. 1 Firm in Cultural on Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Cultural Facilities by BD C
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Convention Centers by BD C
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Performing Arts and Concert Venues by BD C
Find us here - https://populous.com/careers
Instagram: @WeArePopulous
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