Design Technology Innovation Specialist

Description

Location:
Seattle, Spokane, Columbus, Los Angeles

Salary Ranges:
Seattle/Los Angeles - $104,/yr, Spokane/Columbus - $95,/yr

Full Time

Exempt

Overview / Summary:

We are seeking a forward-thinking and technically skilled Design Technology Innovation Specialist to elevate our design process through technology innovation and software development. Working closely with firm leadership and our Data and Innovation team, this role designs and develops creative solutions that bridge computational design, process automation, and architectural production. The position will also actively explore new technologies—including AI and immersive media—and support their thoughtful integration into design workflows and firmwide innovation initiatives.

Ideal candidates are excited by experimentation, motivated by real-world problem-solving, and passionate about pushing our architectural practice forward.

Key Responsibilities:

• Data and Innovation Team Collaboration:
Work with firmwide and studio leadership and cross-functional studio and corporate resources to identify, prioritize and pursue use cases for technology innovation, exploration and adoption. Coordinate with data analysts to utilize design and project data in design solutions and with IT to ensure smooth integration of new technology solutions into production operations. Engage with project teams to obtain feedback, iterate on solutions and support adoption.

• Data and AI Use Case Design and Development:
Translate prioritized data and innovation use cases into prototype applications, tools, and workflows across design, production and corporate use cases. Develop data and AI-driven solutions to automate workflows and provide data-driven insights. Iterate on use cases to drive value and scale solutions to production.

• R&D and Emerging Technology Exploration:
Explore and prototype emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (e.g., generative AI, machine learning, visual recognition), computer vision, and smart automation for architectural applications. Stay current on emerging technologies and trends in digital design, architecture, and advocate for relevant applications within the firm. Contribute to R&D initiatives focused on evaluating and integrating new platforms (e.g., AI-based design assistance, video-to-3D, speech-to-model, etc.)

Support exploratory R&D projects and hackathons to identify and test new ideas and communicate findings and recommendations to leadership and the innovation portfolio. Participate in training sessions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing forums to foster digital fluency and innovation culture across the firm.

• Generative and Computational Design:
Develop and implement computational design strategies to augment the creative process. Use procedural node-based programming (Grasshopper, Dynamo, etc.), algorithmic and generative design techniques to produce innovative design options and solve complex geometry challenges. Integrate computational, generative, and parametric workflows into concept and solution development.

• Design and Visualization Workflow Optimization:
Drive the development of tools to support generative design, automation, and production efficiency (such as custom scripts, plug-ins, and computational tools to generate design iterations or check model compliance automatically). Enhance BIM and Revit workflows through automation and customization, particularly in support of efficiency, optimization and quality of production and project delivery. Develop workflows and tools that leverage video production, motion graphics, or real-time rendering for design storytelling and internal communication.

Document workflows and develop guides and resources to support tool adoption and knowledge sharing.

• Custom Software Development:
Drive the development of software to create custom solutions, plugins, scripts and applications that streamline our design and delivery processes and establish new capabilities. Translate architects’ needs into technical designs and solutions; develop, test and refine these tools for studio use.

Requirements

Preferred Qualifications & Skills:

• Education and Experience: Professional…