Senior Consultant - Smart Design

Want to shape spaces where digital infrastructure and urban life move as one? Your expertise in smart‑city planning might make you the perfect smart city design expert on our team.

Here at Buro Happold, expect the exceptional.

From the projects you will work on to the clients we work with. From career-defining opportunities to an inclusive and diverse practice where we all contribute to a more equitable world. From our reputation to our relationships. Wherever your Buro Happold career takes you, it’ll be anything but ordinary.

Buro Happold has a clear strategic plan, a strong learning culture and an entrepreneurial mindset that will allow you to thrive.

You’ll be part of something bigger than us all where sustainability, equity, social and performance outcomes matter. All of Buro Happold is committed to doing the right thing, even when that’s the hardest thing. This is a genuine opportunity to make impact – and leave real legacy.

We are seeking an experienced smart city design expert to lead the planning and design of integrated, data‑driven urban environments that leverage digital technologies to improve quality of life, sustainability, and operational efficiency. The role focuses on shaping smart city strategies, designing connected infrastructure and services, and translating technology concepts into practical, people‑centric solutions for districts, cities and large mixed use developments.

The Smart City Design Expert will collaborate closely with urban planners, engineers, technologists and public and private stakeholders to deliver holistic smart city visions and implementation roadmaps.

As a smart‑city design senior consultant, you will take a leading role in conceptualizing, developing and delivering innovative smart city solutions. Your responsibilities will include:

• Develop smart city strategies, frameworks and concept masterplans that integrate mobility, energy, utilities, public realm and digital services.
• Define smart city use cases and service portfolios (e.g., smart mobility, smart buildings, digital public services, safety and security, environmental monitoring).
• Lead the design of smart infrastructure layers, including connectivity, IoT, data platforms and integration with urban systems and assets.
• Translate user needs and stakeholder priorities into requirements for smart city solutions, platforms and services.
• Prepare smart city design guidelines, standards and reference architectures to ensure scalability, interoperability and security.
• Work with technical teams to evaluate and select technologies, partners and platforms aligned with the overall smart city vision.
• Develop implementation roadmaps, investment plans and phasing strategies for smart city programmes and projects.
• Support stakeholder engagement, workshops and co‑creation sessions with government entities, developers, operators and communities.
• Contribute to bids and proposals, providing smart city content, methodologies and thought‑leadership material.

• Minimum 5 years of experience in smart city design, digital urban planning or related roles in consulting, government, real estate or technology.
• Strong understanding of smart city domains such as mobility, energy, utilities, public safety, environment and digital citizen services.
• Experience working with IoT, urban data platforms, GIS and digital twin concepts in the context of cities or large developments.
• Proven ability to translate strategic visions into concrete requirements, use cases and design documentation.
• Familiarity with international best practices, standards and frameworks for smart cities and digital infrastructure.
• Excellent analytical, conceptual thinking and problem‑solving skills, with the ability to balance innovation with practicality.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including experience preparing reports, presentations and client‑facing materials.

The role is suitable for candidates with a strong digital and design background. We would welcome applications from those with degrees in:

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering
• Urban Planning
• or a related discipline (or…