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Contract Urban Designer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Perkins & Will

Senior Urban Designer

Boston, MA

$110K - $118K/yr

As a Senior Urban Designer , you will be responsible for leading all phases of the design process ... contract development process. * Participate in marketing opportunities and begins to develop ...

Perkins and Will

Senior Urban Designer

Boston, MA · On-site

$110K - $118K/yr

As a Senior Urban Designer , you will be responsible for leading all phases of the design process ... contract development process. * Participate in marketing opportunities and begins to develop ...

IQ Fiber

OSP Designer

Clearwater, FL · On-site

This role communicates with field and contract personnel to manage design changes, finalize as ... This role also supports and mentors other designers, contributing to quality and consistency across ...

IQ Fiber

OSP Designer

Clearwater, FL · On-site

This role communicates with field and contract personnel to manage design changes, finalize as ... This role also supports and mentors other designers, contributing to quality and consistency across ...

City of San Marino

Urban Forester

San Marino, CA

$6.5K - $7.9K/mo

... designed to optimize the health, beauty and safety of all city-owned, public trees, plants and ... Manage the tree maintenance contracts. Review tree removal and planting permits for approval ...

Casey Trees

Urban Forestry Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

Reviews all residential and large parcel tree planting designs and work orders to ensure adherence ... Manages contracts with outside parties and ensures compliance with Casey Trees' planting best ...

Casey Trees

Urban Forestry Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

Reviews all residential and large parcel tree planting designs and work orders to ensure adherence ... Manages contracts with outside parties and ensures compliance with Casey Trees' planting best ...

CASEY TREES

Urban Forestry Manager

Washington, DC · On-site

$95K - $110K/yr

Reviews all residential and large parcel tree planting designs and work orders to ensure adherence ... Manages contracts with outside parties and ensures compliance with Casey Trees' planting best ...

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All JobsContract Urban Designer Jobs

Contract Urban Designer information

See salary details

$53.5K

$72.7K

$89K

How much do contract urban designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for contract urban designer in the United States is $72,746.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,000.00 and $80,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a contract urban designer?

To excel as a Contract Urban Designer, you need a solid background in urban planning, design principles, and site analysis, often supported by a relevant degree such as urban design, architecture, or landscape architecture. Familiarity with technical tools like GIS, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and 3D modeling software, as well as knowledge of local planning regulations, is typically required. Strong communication, problem-solving, and project management skills help you collaborate with stakeholders and adapt to varying project scopes. These skills ensure that urban design solutions are both innovative and practical, meeting client needs and regulatory standards on diverse projects.

What is a contract urban designer?

A Contract Urban Designer is a professional who is hired on a temporary or project basis to plan and design urban spaces, such as neighborhoods, parks, city centers, and public infrastructure. They work with local governments, developers, and architects to create functional, attractive, and sustainable urban environments. Their responsibilities may include site analysis, developing design concepts, preparing visual presentations, and ensuring that projects comply with zoning and environmental regulations. Contract Urban Designers typically bring specialized expertise to specific projects and may work independently or as part of a multidisciplinary team.

What are common challenges faced by contract urban designers, and how can they be managed?

Contract urban designers often encounter challenges such as adapting quickly to new teams, understanding diverse local regulations, and managing tight project deadlines. To effectively manage these, it's important to establish clear communication with stakeholders, proactively seek out relevant planning documents, and stay organized through project management tools. Flexibility and a willingness to learn about each community's unique needs are key to succeeding in contract roles, as is building a strong professional network for support and collaboration.
More about Contract Urban Designer jobs
What cities are hiring for Contract Urban Designer jobs? Cities with the most Contract Urban Designer job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Urban Designer jobs? The most popular types of Urban Designer jobs are:
What states have the most Contract Urban Designer jobs? States with the most job openings for Contract Urban Designer jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Contract Urban Designer jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Contract Urban Designer jobs are:
Contract Urban Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Contract Urban Designer job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 11% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $72,746 per year, or $35 per hour.

Senior Urban Designer

Perkins & Will

Boston, MA

$110K - $118K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago

Job description

As a Senior Urban Designer, you will be responsible for leading all phases of the design process with a high level of proficiency and expertise while adhering to firm and project goals and standards of excellence in design, execution, and living design.

You will manage project teams, foster collaboration, and demonstrate strong and effective communication and direction which inspires high team performance, design ideas, and successful project delivery.

You will:

  • Define, monitor, and maintain control of the scope of work and services for the project including project schedule and work plan both to direct the project team and the client team.
  • Lead efforts in developing, validating, and negotiating project scope and fee, budget, and scope of services during the marketing and contract development process.
  • Participate in marketing opportunities and begins to develop successful client experiences.
  • Be responsible for meeting or exceeding the financial goals established for the project and providing timely and appropriate information to Project Accountant to initiate invoicing.
  • Coordinate with other local governments and recommends approval or denials of proposals.
  • Meet with public officials and the public regarding development plans and land use.
  • Educate civic leaders and the public about the details of the projects scheduled for their communities.
  • Interpret gathered data and research.
  • Analyze sites, programs, and other key project elements through quantitative and qualitative means.
  • Develop analytical and design drawings throughout the design process using analog (through sketching and physical modeling) and digital means (through digital analyses, sketching, and modeling).
  • Collaborate with client and/or public to create strategic planning options.
  • Strategize, outline, mockup, and develop design documentation including creates and interprets maps and diagrams, master plan reports, design guidelines, and client-ready presentation materials.
  • Coordinate all aspects of project deliverables.
  • Review, evaluate, and integrate zoning and policy requirements into project design.
  • Develop strategies for key urban frameworks and systems including but not limited to circulation, open space, buildings, and infrastructure.
  • Perform advanced development calculations according to specified standards and proposed development controls.
  • Lead project-related client and public discussions and presentations.
  • Monitor the performance of the project team and approach to ensure our quality standards and design goals are being met.
  • Mentor staff.
  • Exercise creative judgment in all aspects of the design process.
  • Participate actively within collaborative team settings such as: casual team interactions, design charettes, reviews, and pin-ups.
  • Keep open communication within the team.
  • Communicate ideas and thoughts in a way that inspires others.
  • Effectively coordinate with other design partners and consultants.
Typical Years of Requisite Experience: 8-10+ years
Professional Licensure: Not required, but professional licensure is strongly preferred.

High-level Summary of Critical, Baseline Technical Skills and Certifications

Proficiencies:

  • Site and design research
  • Site analytics
  • Planning and zoning code analytics
  • Concept and detailed design studies
  • Production of drawings and deliverables
  • Hand-drawn and digital sketching
  • Computational analysis

Software:

  • Functional knowledge of 2D/3D production software (Revit, Rhino)
  • Functional knowledge of digital sketching/diagramming software (Illustrator)
  • Functional knowledge of analytical tools (ArcGIS, Grasshopper)
  • Functional knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint)
  • Functional knowledge of visualization tools (Enscape, VRay)
  • Functional knowledge of physical modeling making
  • Functional knowledge of presentation tools (InDesign, PowerPoint)

Licensure/Certifications/Education:

  • Bachelor’s degree in urban design, landscape, architecture, or related discipline required
  • AICP certification
  • LEED GA within 6 months of hire
  • Professional Accreditation in one area of Living Design that interests you: LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, Passive House Institute Certified Passive House Consultant/Designer CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation

Salary Range Information 

We foster a culture that is diverse and inclusive and strive for pay practices that are fair, and competitive and reflect our commitment to pay equity. Our compensation decisions include but are not limited to a candidate’s qualifications including skill sets, education, experience and training, licensure and certifications credentials if applicable, and business-related factors. This practice extends to all employees, including performance considerations for merit increases, job promotions, and transfer opportunities. We additionally review our pay practices, conduct pay equity audits, and ensure our managers are trained in our pay practices on an annual basis. At the time of posting this job advertisement, the annual pay salary range for this position in Boston is between $114,500 and $168,300.

 Justice, Equity, Diversity & Inclusion  

At Perkins&Will we believe that inclusion spurs creativity and that innovation is born from an engaged culture of diverse people + ideas.By moving beyond barriers and stereotypes of gender, race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, medical condition, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status; we are committed to building an organization that reflects the diversity of the communities and clients we serve. 

"Design has the power to inspire joy, uplift lives, and strengthen the spirit of community." 

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement 

Perkins&Will has established and adopted an Equal Employment Opportunity Employment policy (“EEO”), which is part of the Company’s Human Resources Policy. The purpose of this EEO policy is to ensure that all employment decisions are made on a non-discriminatory basis, and without regard to sex, race, color, age, national origin, religion, disability, genetic information, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, gender reassignment, citizenship, pregnancy or maternity, veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable national, federal, state, or local law. In some cases, local laws and regulations may provide greater protections than those outlined here and employees will be covered by the laws of their local jurisdiction.

 

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