Senior Landscape Architect and Planner

Olson Kundig is a design practice founded on the ideas that buildings can serve as a   bridge between nature, culture and people, and that inspiring surroundings have a positive effect on people ’ s lives. The firm ’ s work can be found across the globe, with projects as wide-ranging as huts to high rises, homes - often for art collectors - to academic, cultural and civic projects, museums and exhibition design, places of worship, creative production, urban design, and interior design. 

We are seeking a Senior Landscape Architect and Planner to lead the design and delivery of impactful, design-driven landscape and planning projects. In this role, you’ll shape environments that integrate architecture, ecology, and human experience - working alongside interdisciplinary teams to bring complex ideas to life.

You’ll join a collaborative, design-focused firm with opportunities to contribute to globally recognized work and mentor emerging talent.

Primary Responsibilities

• Design, Planning and Coordination:
  • Lead the design and planning of landscape projects from concept through documentation, integrating functionality, aesthetics, and sustainability. Develop and communicate design ideas through drawings, presentations, and stakeholder engagement, while collaborating across disciplines on both public and private projects.
• Project Management:
  • Oversee multiple projects from proposal through completion, managing scope, schedule, and budget while coordinating with clients and project teams to ensure high-quality, well-integrated design and delivery.
• Technical Leadership, Expertise and Mentorship:
  • Provide technical leadership across landscape architecture projects, serving as a subject matter expert while collaborating with interdisciplinary teams, guiding design and documentation, mentoring staff, and contributing to project delivery, client communication, and firm-wide initiatives.
• Client Engagement:
  • Build and maintain strong client relationships, lead presentations of design concepts and project updates, and support business development efforts including proposals, RFQs, and contracts.
• Additional duties and projects:
  • As assigned or necessary.

Qualifications:

• Must Have:
  • Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree from an accredited college/university in landscape architecture, planning, or closely related field.
  • Experience: Minimum 10+ years of related professional experience or similar role with equivalent work experience.
  • Digital Literacy:
    • Intermediate proficiency in Revit (BIM), Grasshopper, 3D MAX, ArchiCAD, ArcGIS
    • Advanced proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint, Teams, Web Browser, ERP (Deltek), Tonic, Digital File Organization, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam Revu/Studio, Sketch-Up, Rhino 3D
  • Submit a portfolio demonstrating advanced design, technical, and drafting abilities.
  • Advanced proficiency with communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with clients and project teams.
  • Strong understanding of landscape construction principles, plant materials, and site engineering.
  • Ability to work at a variety of project scales from master planning to detail design.
• Nice to Have:
  • Licensure (LARE) or AICP certification (or in progress)
  • Experience working on High-End Residential, Hospitality (Hotels, F&B, and Resorts), and Workplace, as well as a variety of project scales from Master Planning to Detail design.
  • Membership in professional landscape architectural organizations such as ASLA, APA, IFLA, ULI, or similar.
  • Advanced knowledge of sustainability focused project assessments such as SITES, Living Building Challenge, LEED, and high-performance building.

What You Can Expect

• A collaborative, design-driven environment
• Opportunities to work on globally recognized, conceptually ambitious projects
• Mentorship and career development
• Competitive pay based on your skills and experience
• 100% fully paid health coverage for employees (medical, dental, vision), plus short-term disability and $50,000 in life insurance, starting the first of the month after you begin
• Partial coverage for eligible dependents (35% medical, 30% dental and vision)
• A 401(k)-retirement savings plan with 3% employer safe harbor contribution
• 8 paid holidays each year, available right away
• Paid Time Off (PTO) starting at 15 days per year, with increases over time up to 24 days
• Mentorship and opportunities for career growth
• Eligibility for an annual discretionary bonus

This role is based in Seattle, Washington with less than 15% travel expected.

Equal Opportunity & Pay Transparency
Olson Kundig is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ancestry, gender, age, religion, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender expression or identity, national origin, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by law. Applicants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations at any point in the employment process. 

 
In compliance with Washington State’s Equal Pay and Opportunities Act (RCW 49.58.110), Olson Kundig provides transparent compensation information in all job postings. For this position based in ​Seattle, Washington, the annual salary is between $​93,000​ and $116,000​.  Final salary decisions are made based upon the extent and relevance of the candidate’s experience, as well as internal equity and external market factors.

 

All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship and must already possess long-term work authorization.