Urban Designer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

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There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

AECOM's Urbanism + Planning practice is actively seeking a creative and enthusiastic Urban Designer for our growing Urban Design Studio based in our Arlington, VA or Washington DC office (preference based on candidate's choice). The Urban Designer will serve on multi-disciplinary urban design and planning projects across the East Coast, from transit-oriented development (TOD) master plans, large scale mixed-use master plans, downtown revitalization, and public realm design projects. As part of a highly collaborative team of urban designers, planners, landscape architects, engineers, and economists, the urban designer will have the opportunity to have a high impact on transformational placemaking projects across the region for municipal, state, and private sector clients.

Responsibilities

• Work independently under the guidance of studio leadership to prepare planning and urban design deliverables, including conceptual studies, draft designs, and final presentation materials for TOD, mixed-use master plans, site planning, downtown redevelopment, and public realm projects.
• Apply strong conceptual design skills, generate planning and design ideas, and exercise sound professional judgment on projects involving complex urban sites across a range of scales and diverse social, environmental, and geographic contexts.
• Prepare design drawings, diagrams, maps, renderings, presentations, and project documentation that clearly communicate planning concepts and urban design vision for TOD, residential, office, retail, mixed-use, and public realm projects, while applying knowledge of building systems, planning regulations, and urban design principles in accordance with project specifications, established design standards, and verbal and written direction using industry-standard digital and traditional design tools.
• Lead research and analysis of urban context, including zoning, land use, site history, geography, mobility networks, urban character, natural resources, and development programs. Prepare precedent studies, building massing, and other planning and design studies to inform project outcomes.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate planning, urban design, architecture, landscape, and infrastructure considerations throughout project development.
• Apply knowledge of planning and urban design principles, building typologies, spatial requirements, zoning and land use regulations, project phasing, and implementation strategies to support design decisions.
• Lead discrete tasks and coordinate with other consultants throughout the planning and design process to ensure technical coordination and interdisciplinary alignment.
• Prepare for and participate in marketing activities and client outreach meetings to bring visibility to AECOM's Urbanism + Planning practice.  

***Design portfolio must be submitted by applicant in order to be considered for opportunity.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Urban Design, Planning, Architecture, or Landscape Architecture with minimum of 4 years of professional experience.
• Experience with mapping, drafting, and rendering software including AutoCAD, Rhino, GIS, and Enscape.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, and InDesign), and Microsoft Office.
• Experience producing written narrative and graphics for reports and presentations, and presenting to internal and external audiences. 

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Urban Design, Planning, Architecture, or Landscape Architecture with 6+ years of professional experience.
• Experience with Lumion.
• Urban design and digital graphic skills, including authorship and production of 2D and 3D site plans, sections, elevations, building massing studies, diagrams, renderings, maps, and presentation graphics.
• Experience with large-scale mixed-use master planning, TOD, infrastructure-integrated planning, and downtown district planning in a collaborative, fast-paced professional environment.
• Experience designing and evaluating urban design concepts, planning strategies, and policy objectives through collaboration with public agencies, elected officials, clients, and community stakeholders.
• Positive, proactive approach to teamwork and problem-solving.
• Strong organizational skills with exceptional attention to detail.
• Excellent time management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities and deadlines.
• AICP certification or active pursuit of certification preferred.

• Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position.
• Relocation Support is not available for this role.

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients' complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle - from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you'll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you've always envisioned. Here, you'll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community-where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.