Designer II

RIOS is an international design collective. We are actively in pursuit of wonder within the design of the built environment. We believe design is an act of optimism through which invention and ideas change the world. We practice interconnected design across architecture, placemaking, landscape architecture, and experience design to define design as a continuum.

We follow a process that begins with attunement, where program and context shape strong conceptual thinking to establish a holistically informed big idea through which we develop form, confirm function, and define experience. This serves as the foundation for exploring ecology, materiality, sustainability, and tectonic expression. We are known for bold solutions that are inclusive of the wider context and grounded in interdisciplinary collaboration, resulting in resilient, innovative, and meaningful design outcomes.

The Designer II role is responsible for contributing to project success through increasingly independent design, technical, and project delivery responsibilities. Designers at this level are trusted team members who manage portions of project work with growing autonomy, support interdisciplinary coordination, and contribute to the development of innovative, sustainable design solutions.


Essential Duties Include:

• Participate in all phases of project delivery through design development, visualization, documentation, sustainability integration, and technical execution.
• Independently manage assigned project tasks, including modeling, documentation, presentations, and project visualization with minimal oversight.
• Produce innovative design and technical work that aligns with project goals, schedule, budget, and quality standards.
• Produce coordinated and accurate documentation, models, and project deliverables while maintaining strong QA/QC practices.
• Lead research efforts, precedent studies, sustainability investigations, and early technical explorations with guidance from senior team members.
• Utilize collaboration, project management, and documentation tools effectively to support project success.
• Participate actively in interdisciplinary design reviews, project coordination meetings, and collaborative problem-solving efforts.
• Support project teams through advanced modeling, rendering, documentation, and presentation development.

All positions at RIOS are hybrid with three days in office.


Requirements

The ideal candidate will possess the following skills:

• Strong design sensibility and ability to translate concepts into thoughtful design solutions.
• Ability to work independently while contributing effectively to collaborative team environments.
• Strong organizational, time-management, and project coordination skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining quality, accuracy, and attention to detail.
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written, verbal, and visual communication skills.
• Commitment to sustainable, responsible, and inclusive design practices.
• Ability to mentor and support the professional growth of junior team members.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture or equivalent professional experience.
• 3+ years of professional experience in architecture or related project delivery roles.
• Experience coordinating with consultants and interdisciplinary project teams.
• Proficiency with software such as Revit, Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop), and other discipline-specific production and visualization tools.
• Experience with Lumion, Grasshopper, Dynamo, SignAgent, or similar advanced design technologies is preferred.

Benefits & Perks:
RIOS offers a variety of benefits that support work-life balance, professional growth and personal well-being. This includes a hybrid work environment, comprehensive healthcare benefits, 401k matching, PTO package, and reduced summer work hours.


Equal Opportunity Statement: RIOS is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. Additionally, pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance and the California Fair Chance Act , qualified candidates with arrests/ conviction records will not be excluded from consideration.