Associate Architect Jobs in Renton, WA (NOW HIRING)

At ESA, we believe great design and meaningful environmental stewardship go hand in hand. We are driven by a mission to restore habitats, reconnect communities with natural systems, and shape resilient landscapes for future generations. As a 100% employee-owned firm, every team member has a voice-and a stake-in our success, fostering a culture grounded in collaboration, equity, and shared purpose.

We are seeking a Landscape Architect/Landscape Restoration Specialist to help advance this work in the Pacific Northwest-someone who is passionate about ecological design, committed to elevating the health of natural and built environments, and eager to contribute to projects that create lasting environmental impact. This role emphasizes habitat restoration, mitigation site design, ecological improvements, and construction-phase services, while also valuing experience in urban and waterfront settings, parks and trails, and public access design. The ideal location for this role is Seattle, WA. The ideal candidate shall be able to work a hybrid schedule from our Seattle, WA office.  

• You are an experienced practitioner with deep expertise in restoration and mitigation design, irrigation, and you excel at coordinating with multidisciplinary teams of designers, biologists, engineers, planners, and environmental scientists.
• You understand how to translate technical data into implementable design solutions and are comfortable overseeing project management, design documentation, and construction implementation. 
• You bring curiosity, integrity, and a collaborative spirit, and you are motivated by work that blends ecological science with thoughtful, resilient design.
• You have 5+ years of professional experience in landscape architecture, ecological restoration, natural resources design, or related environmental design fields with significant experience in habitat restoration and mitigation projects, including one or more of the following:
  • Wetland, riparian, or shoreline restoration
  • Stream, floodplain, or estuarine enhancement
  • Upland revegetation and native plant design
  • Habitat mitigation planning or monitoring design support
• Demonstrated experience producing construction drawings, specifications, and cost estimates for restoration and natural resource-based projects.
• Proven capabilities in designing temporary and permanent irrigation for restoration and mitigation planting sites.
• Construction observation/administration experience, including field oversight, submittal review, contractor coordination, and quality control.
• Proficiency in:
  • AutoCAD or Civil 3D
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • Microsoft Office
  • Project management software
• Ability to lead or support project management tasks including schedule coordination, scope development, deliverable tracking, and client communication.
• Strong graphic, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work in the field, including walking on uneven terrain, carrying up to 25 lbs, and conducting site visits in varying weather conditions.
• Ability to work in a hybrid arrangement from the Seattle (preferred) or the Portland office.
• Licensed Landscape Architect in Washington and/or Oregon is preferred but not required.
• Experience collaborating closely with biologists, engineers, hydrologists, and permitting specialists on restoration and mitigation projects.
• Expertise with native plant communities, ecological planting design, and performance-based restoration outcomes.
• Experience integrating technical information (geotechnical, hydrological, habitat analyses, etc.) into design.
• Experience with traditional landscape architecture projects such as:
  • Parks, trails, and multi-use pathways
  • Urban and waterfront public spaces
  • Open space and recreation planning
  • Playscapes and community amenities
• Advanced visualization and rendering skills (e.g., Rhino, Lumion, SketchUp, or comparable 3D software).
• Experience leading client presentations, stakeholder workshops, or community engagement.
• Business development experience including drafting proposals, scopes, and fee estimates.

(Please submit a cover letter outlining your interest and relevant restoration experience along with a design portfolio (upload both in the cover letter section of the application).

• Develop design concepts and detailed plans for wetland, riparian, floodplain, estuarine, and upland habitat restoration.
• Prepare impact calculations and plans, mitigation plans, restoration planting plans, grading plans, habitat improvement details, and performance-support documentation.
• Integrate biological, hydrological, and engineering data into multidisciplinary design efforts.

• Develop construction drawings, specifications, cost estimates, and technical reports.
• Provide construction-phase support through field observation, RFI responses, punch lists, submittal review and response, and coordination with contractors and clients.

• Manage tasks or projects including budgets, schedules, deliverables, and team coordination.
• Review project accounting and assist with invoicing.
• Oversee and guide early-career staff, providing mentorship, technical review, and career development support.

• Participate in proposal development.
• Assist with interview preparation, marketing efforts, and client outreach.

Our Landscape Architecture team brings design and science together to shape places that honor both people and ecology. We work in some of the Pacific Northwest's most sensitive and inspiring landscapes-coasts, rivers, floodplains, and urban open spaces-where creativity, technical rigor, and interdisciplinary problem solving are essential. We are a supportive, integrated group that values collaboration, diverse perspectives, and the shared mission of advancing resilient, nature-based design.

Go to this link to read more about our landscape architecture work: https://esassoc.com/services/landscape-architecture/