Urban Planner jobs in Santa Ana, CA

ABOUT WATG

WATG is the world’s preeminent destination and hospitality design firm. We are employee-owned, 77 years young and home to nearly 400 creative, globe-trotting professionals located remotely and in our offices in California, New York, Honolulu, London, Singapore, and Shanghai.

We are known for our ‘people and planet first’ approach to design, applying a hospitality ethos to developments of all shapes and sizes. From initial feasibility studies to the finishing touches, we operate as an integrated, multidisciplinary practice globally.  Along with our interior design studio, Wimberly Interiors, we specialize in hospitality, gaming entertainment, urban mixed-use, and high-end residential design.

Independent to this day, we passionately believe that culture and heritage are the roots that lead to long-term resilience for all businesses. We were founded in Honolulu in 1945 and the spirit of the islands taught us to focus on community strength, self-reliance, and sustainability – which we still prioritize today. We stay true to our values of designing spaces that respect, protect and enhance the natural magic of their surroundings while delivering long-term value for our clients and their communities.  

WATG is hiring a Project Urban Designer for our office in Tustin, Orange County, CA.

ROLE

The Project Urban Designer collaborates with architects, landscape architects, consultants, and other project members to plan, design, coordinate and present ideas for a variety of project disciplines, including hospitality, residential, mixed-use, entertainment and support facilities. These projects occur in various natural, rural and urban settings – from islands to mountains to deserts, across Asia, the Middle East, and the Americas. The Project Urban Designer is responsible for research, analysis, and significant amounts of drawing.

RESPONSIBILITIES 

• Works closely with senior leaders of the team, including the Senior Project Urban Designer and Senior Project Planner, in developing creative design concepts on a wide range of master planning and urban design projects, including large-scale master planned development, mixed-use and infill development, resort and hospitality destination master plans, community and neighborhood-scale master planning and design, and vision master planning
• Conducts site analysis and project research
• Assists with site planning and programming, footprint layouts, and calculations
• Analyzes, synthesizes, and documents project planning and urban design processes
• Prepares high-quality 2D planning and urban design diagrams and illustrations
• Understands basic architectural design and prepares 3D project base, massing models
• Coordinates and manages project CGI production
• Able to do written reports and deliverable summaries
• Collaborates in writing and compiling a variety of document types, including planning reports, technical memoranda, design narratives, project approach and design guidelines
• Interfaces with clients, sub-consultants, and other professionals during all stages of project development
• Directs the work and manages the production of design concepts of other members of the team

 QUALIFICATIONS 

• Bachelor’s degree in planning, urban design, landscape architecture, or architecture
• Relevant urban planning certification preferred
• Environmental accreditation preferred
• 10 years of experience in urban design, urban planning, or architecture practices
• Proficient in MS Office, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, Rhino, Enscape and other rendering software
• Knowledge of Grasshopper, Ladybug and other sustainability analysis software and mapping tools
• Knowledge of ArcGIS and GIS analysis
• Working knowledge of Revit
• Knowledge of Midjourney and other latest AI tools, approved by WATG for project work
• Ability to apply technology and software applications creatively to support planning solutions
• Working knowledge and experience with land use planning, residential, retail, commercial and mixed-use development typologies
• Technical experience with physical design and planning, including site planning and programming, building layout, development yields, and massing modeling
• Solid graphic skills, including hand-sketching ability, visualization renderings, plans, and document layout
• Working knowledge of sustainable design and planning
• Highly effective written and verbal communication and presentation skills

*Please include a copy of your resume and portfolio to be considered for this position

JOB INFORMATION

Salary range: $75,000 - $110,000 per year

WATG is an Equal Opportunity Employer