Senior Visualization Specialist

Senior Visualization Specialist

CDM Smith is seeking a visionary, technically skilled Senior Visualization Specialist to help shape how transportation projects are understood and experienced. In this role, you will transform complex engineering, planning, CAD/BIM, and GIS data into compelling visual stories — photorealistic renderings, animations, interactive experiences, and real‑time environments — that inform decision‑making, strengthen stakeholder engagement, and elevate strategic pursuits. You’ll collaborate closely with transportation engineers, planners, designers, and marketing teams across project types ranging from complete streets and transit corridors to highways, bridges, and NEPA/environmental permitting, ensuring visuals are technically accurate, aligned with design intent, and delivered on schedule.

This is a rare opportunity to join a dedicated Transportation Visualization Practice at its launch — shaping the workflows, tools, and standards the team will build on for years to come. As our first specialized visualization hire, you’ll operate with full autonomy from day one, contributing to live projects while mentoring junior staff and helping advance the practice through workflow development and R&D.

The role spans the full deliverable spectrum today, with interactive models, VR/AR experiences, and real‑time walkthroughs on the near horizon. If you’re energized by building something new and defining what comes next, this is that opportunity.

Location:

Oregon, Portland.

• Group: TNG
• Employment type:
  
  Regular

• Bachelor’s degree.
• 5 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

• 5 years of professional experience in 3D visualization, with a preference for AEC or transportation contexts.
• Demonstrated ability to deliver photorealistic visuals from complex CAD/GIS/BIM inputs, with proven experience building and maintaining scalable CAD and GIS visualization workflows.
• Familiarity with DOTs, transit agencies, regional planning agencies, and municipal stakeholders is a plus — as is comfort navigating the technical and communication demands of public‑sector transportation projects.
• Experience mentoring junior staff or contributing to team workflow development is preferred; we’re looking for someone who is as invested in growing the people around them as they are in the quality of their own work.

• Advanced proficiency in 3ds Max and a production renderer such as V‑Ray, plus Adobe Creative Suite, and strong command of one or more real‑time rendering platforms including Unreal Engine, Twinmotion, or Vantage. Experience with scripting and automation (Python, MAXScript, or similar) is highly valued.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Ability to understand complex technical, professional and business materials.

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.