Science & Technology Studio Design Leader - Engineering

SmithGroup is an integrated design firm with a reputation for cultivating a top-ranked culture while pioneering award-winning innovative design solutions. We blend research, data and technology with ingenuity and a creative spirit to deliver resilient, inclusive spaces that solve our clients' greatest challenges. Our teams create exceptional design solutions for healthcare, science and technology, workplace, mixed use, higher education, cultural, waterfront, parks and open spaces, and urban environments. We are looking for passionate problem solvers who want to elevate design, push boundaries and create a more resilient future. 

The Houston office is looking for a Science & Technology Studio Design Leader - Engineering to join our team. The Studio Design Leader has a significant design portfolio in a specific market and partners with the Studio Leader to determine and implement market strategies, playing a significant role in pursuing and winning work. This role provides the leadership and vision necessary within a studio to elevate design quality, promote a design-centric culture, and coach and mentor a pipeline of future design leaders. 

Key functions of this role:

• Win and design projects that embody SmithGroup values and expectations.


• Build and nurture a pipeline of future design leaders within the studio and across a region.


• Externally differentiate SmithGroup within the market through design excellence and innovation.


• With the Studio Leader, establish and achieve market goals at the local and regional levels.


• Adoption and use of SmithGroup tools and processes across the studio to ensure design quality for all projects.

Additionally, you will:

• Serve as Project Designer on key projects within the studio and region and with the Project Manager be responsible for project quality and team performance.


• Collaborate with Market Directors, Market Design Directors, and Studio Leaders on business development, pursuit strategies, team composition, and winning work.


• Lead studio efforts that support a firmwide culture of design excellence through critiques, thought leadership, achievement recognition, public relations, and talent development.


• Drive a consistent level of design quality across the studio by ensuring SmithGroup standards, tools, and processes are utilized on all projects.


• Evaluate design work within the studio and region and determine the degree of design engagement needed at the individual project level.


• Take an active leadership role in fostering critical dialogue, rigor, and clear communication to improve design outcomes where needed.


• Provide guidance to design team members in the development of client and stakeholder presentations and design materials to communicate design.


• Represent SmithGroup design and design values through publications, interviews, and market-based conference presentations and association events.


• Participate in client-facing business development activities, project pursuits, interviews, regional initiatives, leadership and management discussions, and committees.


• Actively recruit, develop and mentor mid- and junior-level design talent.

An ideal candidate has:

• A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in engineering or equivalent combination of education experience required to be licensed.


• Minimum 10 years of professional experience.


• Professional licensure required; sustainability credentials preferred.


• Original design work that has been built and recognized with design awards from external professional and public organizations.


• A clear commitment to integrated design, collaboration, and co-creation with clients, focusing on opportunities for design innovation.


• An advanced understanding of code implementation, jurisdiction review, construction practices and methodologies, and key typologies within the market.


• A proven ability to lead an integrated design process including architects, interior designers, engineers, planners, and site designers.


• Expertise as a resourceful and strategic problem solver, committed to integrated thinking and holistic sustainability.


• A creative and entrepreneurial spirit to embrace cultural trends, future technologies, production and presentation software, and other tools of our trade.


• An understanding of scope responsibilities to maintain project schedule and workplan.


• Effective communication and presentation skills.

At SmithGroup, we are committed to helping our staff thrive with great projects and time to unwind. We offer flexible scheduling, a hybrid work environment, 3 weeks of PTO within your first year of employment with the option of purchasing additional time off, 8 paid federal holidays, plus 15 extra Fridays off! Our benefits plan includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, wellbeing resources, paid parental leave, a flex spending account and voluntary insurance options. We invest in your future through our 401(k) program with employer matching, tuition reimbursement program, one-on-one career coaching and professional development opportunities. While we may ultimately pay more or less than a posted salary range, at the time of posting the anticipated salary range for this position is $123,000 to $153,000 annually and you are eligible for a performance-based bonus each year. To be considered for this role, please create a profile and apply! 

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, pregnancy, genetic information, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category under applicable federal, state, and local laws. If you require reasonable accommodation to complete this application, interview, or otherwise participate in the employee selection process, please direct your inquiries to [email protected].