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Placemaking Design Jobs (NOW HIRING)

From sketching ideas to refining design narratives, you will be a key contributor in shaping the public realm, leading design visioning, guiding physical form studies, and supporting placemaking ...

About Jones Worley Jones Worley is a nationally recognized experiential graphic design firm specializing in signage, wayfinding, placemaking, and environmental branding. We partner with architects ...

Urban Planner III

Atlanta, GA · On-site

$77K - $118K/yr

From sketching ideas to refining design narratives, you will be a key contributor in shaping the public realm, leading design visioning, guiding physical form studies, and supporting placemaking ...

From sketching ideas to refining design narratives, you will be a key contributor in shaping the public realm, leading design visioning, guiding physical form studies, and supporting placemaking ...

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Placemaking Design information

See salary details

$42K

$114.5K

$201.5K

How much do placemaking design jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for placemaking design in the United States is $114,491.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $83,500.00 and $144,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Placemaking Design vs Urban Designer?

AspectPlacemaking DesignUrban Designer
CredentialsDesign degrees, certifications in placemaking or landscape architectureUrban planning or design degrees, certifications in urban planning
Work EnvironmentPublic spaces, community projects, parks, plazasCity-wide planning, infrastructure, zoning
Industry UsageCommunity-focused projects, local government, landscape firmsMunicipalities, urban planning agencies, architecture firms

Placemaking Design focuses on creating vibrant, community-centered public spaces, emphasizing aesthetics and user experience. Urban Designers work on broader city planning, infrastructure, and zoning to shape urban environments. While both roles aim to improve urban life, Placemaking Design is more community and design-oriented, whereas Urban Design involves comprehensive city planning and development strategies.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Placemaking Designer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Placemaking Designer, you need expertise in urban design, landscape architecture, and community engagement, often supported by a relevant degree. Familiarity with design software like AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, and GIS tools is typically required. Strong collaboration, creative problem-solving, and effective communication skills help you engage stakeholders and translate community needs into impactful spaces. These skills are crucial for creating vibrant, inclusive environments that foster social interaction and improve quality of life.

What is placemaking design?

Placemaking design is a collaborative approach to planning and designing public spaces that focuses on creating vibrant, engaging, and accessible environments for people. It involves understanding the needs and aspirations of a community and integrating them into the design of parks, plazas, streetscapes, and other shared spaces. The goal is to foster a strong sense of place, encourage social interaction, and improve the overall quality of life in a neighborhood or city.

How does a placemaking designer typically collaborate with local communities and stakeholders during a project?

Placemaking designers often work closely with local residents, business owners, and municipal agencies to ensure that public spaces reflect the unique needs and identities of the community. This collaboration usually involves organizing workshops, conducting surveys, and holding public forums to gather input and feedback throughout the design process. Engaging stakeholders early and often helps build trust and results in more successful, inclusive, and sustainable spaces. The designer acts as both a facilitator and an advocate, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and integrated into the final design.
What cities are hiring for Placemaking Design jobs? Cities with the most Placemaking Design job openings:
What states have the most Placemaking Design jobs? States with the most job openings for Placemaking Design jobs include:
Infographic showing various Placemaking Design job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $114,491 per year, or $55 per hour.

Project Architect (Technical) - Themed Entertainment & Attraction Design

Cuningham

Orlando, FL

$100K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 3 days ago


Job description

 

At Cuningham, we believe great architecture does more than shape buildings; it creates experiences. Our Themed Entertainment team partners with clients to design immersive attractions, destination experiences, and hospitality environments that captivate guests and bring stories to life. Guided by our purpose to design a better world with deep respect for the real one, we foster curiosity, collaboration, and craftsmanship to create extraordinary places globally. 

We're seeking a Project Architect that has familiarity and technical fluency with themed entertainment and attractions to lead the development and coordination of complex, experience-driven projects. In this role, you'll partner with creative and multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative design solutions while ensuring projects are thoughtfully detailed, well-coordinated, code compliant, and successfully delivered from concept through construction.

Direct themed entertainment and attraction design experience is required.  

What you will be doing:
  • Lead the architectural design process across all project phases
  • Develop and document creative, technically sound design solutions aligned with project goals and governing codes
  • Lead medium to large-scale project scopes and support teams with varying experience levels
  • Collaborate closely with clients, creatives, consultants, contractors, and internal project teams
  • Coordinate multidisciplinary efforts to achieve the best design outcomes
  • Lead technical coordination, code review, QA/QC processes, and construction documentation
  • Support envelope design validation and technical detailing
  • Participate in construction administration activities, site observations, and issue resolution
  • Help identify project risks and communicate proactively with project leadership
  • Participate in project pursuits, proposals, interviews, and presentations
  • Mentor and support the growth of team members through thoughtful leadership and collaboration
  • Maintain responsible control over technical submissions and signed/sealed documents where required
What we look for:
  • Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture or related field
  • Licensed Architect preferred; candidates not yet licensed may be considered for a Team Leader title based on experience and qualifications
  • 8-15 years of professional architectural experience, with significant exposure to themed entertainment, hospitality, experiential design, attraction design, retail entertainment, cultural projects, or immersive environments
  • Strong understanding of story-driven design and how architecture supports guest experience, emotional engagement, operational flow, and immersive placemaking (expanded guest experience and placemaking
  • Experience collaborating closely with creative directors, show set designers, producers, and technical disciplines to translate narrative concepts into buildable environment
  • Proven ability to lead projects through all phases of design and delivery, including concept development, design documentation, consultant coordination, QA/QC, permitting, and construction administration Strong technical knowledge of building systems, constructability, envelope detailing, consultant coordination, and code compliance
  • Experience coordinating with specialty vendors, fabricators, scenic elements, lighting, media integration, and show systems preferred
  • Proficiency in Revit/BIM 360, Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, and MS Office; working knowledge of Rhino, Enscape, and Lumion preferred
  • Strong communication, presentation, and team leadership skills with the ability to work effectively in highly collaborative, multidisciplinary environments
  • Experience mentoring junior staff and contributing to a positive, design-driven office culture
  • Ability to manage multiple fast-paced projects while maintaining high design quality and attention to detail
  • Passion for themed entertainment, immersive storytelling, guest experience, and experiential design innovation
$100,000 - $145,000 a year
Compensation provided is based on our national range which varies by work location and may also depend on accreditation, experience and responsibilities.  Our talent management team can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process.
Compensation range updated 1/18/2026.
Benefits: Cuningham offers a variety of benefits to employees including health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, 401k retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off.

Why Cuningham? 

At Cuningham, we believe the best work happens when people are supported, challenged, and connected. Whether collaborating across teams, engaging with our communities, or shaping meaningful design solutions, we bring pragmatic creativity and disciplined execution to every project - and we support each other through it all. 

We nurture an equitable work environment where curiosity is celebrated, craft is valued, and growth is prioritized. Alongside a team that brings low-ego expertise and active leadership day-to-day, you'll work on complex, high-stakes projects that demand bold thinking and disciplined delivery.  

_________________________________________________________________________________ 

Cuningham is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the strength diversity brings to the workplace when combined with equity and justice. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status. 

We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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