Lead Computational Designer

Job Title

Lead Computational Designer

CDM Smith seeks a Lead Computational Designer to join our Digital Engineering Solutions team. The role drives the firm’s digital transformation in design automation, computational design strategies, and BIM technologies, delivering strategic guidance, technological vision, and solution development. The position requires demonstrated excellence in computational design, extensive experience with AEC design technologies, and a proven ability to frame problems, craft solutions, and champion implementation.

The senior member will also engage in research and development, provide strategic oversight to AEC practices, and incubate innovative ideas across the company.

• Lead and oversee projects on the cutting edge of BIM & computation, solving design and process challenges using BIM applications and computational design modeling plug-ins such as Autodesk Revit/Civil3D and Dynamo, Rhino and Grasshopper, Bentley applications and Generative Components, and other digital tools and code languages such as Python/C#.
• Develop and implement advanced computational solutions to complex architecture, engineering, and environmental science problems via visual programming.
• Provide strategic direction and technical leadership to the team and across the organization.
• Mentor and develop junior and mid-level team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and innovation.
• Collaborate as part of a multidisciplinary team across a global practice, building and maintaining excellent interpersonal relationships.
• Lead and drive initiatives and efforts, leveraging BIM, CAD, and computational design expertise.
• Stay at the forefront of the latest developments and advancements, including new technologies & best practices and new tools & software applications impacting digital design.
• Develop and maintain documentation, standards, best practices, and workflows for design technology hardware/software in use across the business.
• Present to internal and external audiences, representing CDM Smith at industry events and conferences.
• Perform miscellaneous tasks associated with senior member of the Digital Engineering Solutions team as required.

• Bachelor's degree.
• 8 years of related experience.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a college degree.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required.

• Expert knowledge and proven ability in the area of AEC design automation/computational design highly preferred.
• Extensive experience with visual scripting tools like Dynamo, Grasshopper, and Generative Components.
• Proficient in Python and C#, with experience creating custom tools and integrating with Autodesk Platform Services (APS) and other APIs considered an asset.
• Proficiency in Dev Ops practices, Git Hub, Azure, and/or other development infrastructure, along with knowledge of project management and agile development processes considered assets.

• Inquisitive with a desire to ask questions to gain a deeper understanding of business issues.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills with the ability to communicate well with technical and non-technical audiences.
• Innovative and able to apply critical thinking skills to generate new solutions/ideas that create value and improve processes.
• Detail-oriented with the ability to lead and execute highly complex or specialized projects.
• Leverages expert-level analytical thinking to proactively identify, assess, and solve sophisticated digital design challenges across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent understanding of business metrics and ability to align company goals and objectives with computational design strategies and initiatives.
• Demonstrates strong awareness and knowledge of data governance principles, digital design integrity and data management protocols.

CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.