Senior Urban Designer I

Job Description

Job Description

About Stratus

Stratus® is an integrated, multi-disciplinary engineering, architecture, interior design, and consulting firm. Consistently ranking among the Top 500 Design Firms in Engineering News-Record, the firm offers a deep bench of industry experts through a highly collaborative approach, delivering innovative solutions across the full project lifecycle. Operating coast to coast, Stratus® serves clients nationwide while maintaining a strategic commitment to supporting high-growth economies and building vibrant communities that foster the professional growth of its team. Serving public- and private-sector clients, the firm is dedicated to delivering the highest-quality service wherever projects take shape. Across the Civic, Commercial, Industrial, Transportation, Education, Water Resources, and Government sectors, we bring precision, insight, and purpose to every project, from targeted renovations to large-scale infrastructure. Stratus® designs spaces, systems, and solutions that perform, endure, and make an impact, delivering on our promise of Better Plans. Better Places.

The Role

The Senior Urban Designer I leads significant components of urban design projects, guiding concept development, design iteration, and the production of high-quality planning and design deliverables. This role synthesizes analytical research, urban systems, regulatory frameworks, and client priorities into impactful design solutions. The Senior Urban Designer I works closely with multidisciplinary teams, participates in client and stakeholder meetings, and supports community engagement efforts. The position provides mentorship to junior staff while supporting project managers in coordinating schedules, deliverables, and design strategy.

Responsibilities

• Lead major portions of urban design projects, including concept development, site and district framework planning, streetscape design, and public-realm strategy
• Translate complex site analysis, code requirements, and community feedback into coherent and innovative design recommendations
• Develop and refine advanced 2D and 3D models, including detailed massing studies, development scenarios, and public realm compositions
• Produce high-quality diagrams, renderings, maps, presentations, and reports that effectively communicate design intent to clients and stakeholders
• Prepare narrative and graphic content for planning documents, design guidelines, development frameworks, and master plans
• Participate in client meetings,presentingdesign options,summarizingfindings, and incorporating feedback into project iterations
• Support community engagement efforts, preparing materials, attending meetings, presenting design concepts, and summarizing public input
• Coordinate design tasks with architects, planners, landscape architects, and engineers, ensuring alignment between technical requirements and design outcomes
• Interpret zoning codes, development regulations, environmental constraints, and policy frameworks to inform design decisions
• Assistwith project planning and task coordination, supporting schedule development, deliverable planning, and resource allocation
• Mentor Urban Designer I–IV staff, offering guidance on software workflows, design approaches, analysis techniques, and graphic quality
• Conduct quality-control checks on drawings, diagrams, reports, and presentation materials for accuracy and design consistency

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Urban Planning, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in urban design or related disciplines
• Demonstrated experience leading portions of master plans, public realm designs, or large-scale design studies
• Strong portfolioshowcasingadvanced design, modeling, and presentation capabilities

Preferred

• Master’s degree in Urban Designor related discipline
• Experience with development guidelines, form-based codes, or public engagement processes
• Experience presenting to clients, community groups, or public agencies
• Familiarity with advanced visualization tools orrenderingworkflows

Why you’ll love Stratus

• A team-oriented environment that values transparency, creativity, and shared success
• Meaningful career paths, leadership opportunities, and space to specialize
• Learning&Development – Education and Professional Licensing
• We believe flexible, hybrid work supports the balance and well-being our team deserves
• Excellent Health Care Programs – Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Company-paid Life Insurance, Short-Term Disability, and Long-Term Disability
• Voluntary Life Insurance options for employees, spouses, and dependents
• 401k Retirement Plan with employer match
• Paid Holidays & Competitive PTO plans

Interested in learning more about Stratus, please visit

Equal Opportunity Statement

Stratus is an Equal Opportunity Employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, pregnancy-related conditions, and lactation), gender identity or expression (including transgender status), sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances. Stratus Team’s management Team is dedicated to this policy with respect to recruitment, hiring, placement, promotion, transfer, training, compensation, benefits, employee activities, access to facilities and programs, and general treatment during employment.