Computational Designer

Thornton Tomasetti; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 70,000 - 85,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, and Disability benefits

Flexible Spending Accounts

Paid Time Off and Family Leave

Tuition Reimbursement

401k with Company matching

Job summary

Thornton Tomasetti is seeking a Computational Designer & Visualization Specialist for their Chicago office. This role involves translating complex structural systems into compelling visual narratives that aid in design and communication.

You will collaborate with engineers and designers, supporting parametric workflows and digital delivery methods. A Bachelor's degree and experience in the AEC or digital design field are required.

Compensation ranges from $70,000 to $85,000 annually, and various employee benefits are offered.

Qualifications

• 0–3 years of experience in AEC or digital design industry.
• Strong interest in computational design and emerging digital workflows.
• Advanced proficiency in Rhino and Grasshopper.

Responsibilities

• Support computational design and digital modeling workflows across projects.
• Develop and manage parametric models using Rhino and Grasshopper.
• Create graphics, animations, and video content for deliverables.
• Translate structural systems into clear visual narratives.

Skills

Computational design

Visualization

Parametric models

Graphic design skills

Collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Computational Design, Digital Design

Tools

Rhino

Grasshopper

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world’s challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career.

Your Role

As a Computational Designer & Visualization Specialist in our Chicago office, you will work at the intersection of structural engineering, computational design, and digital storytelling. You’ll help translate complex structural systems into clear, compelling visual narratives that support design, communication, and project delivery.

Working closely with engineers, designers, and VDC teams, you’ll contribute to parametric workflows, visualization strategies, and next-generation digital delivery methods. Your work will span diagrams, parametric models, animations, and real-time content—bridging technical engineering concepts with engaging visual communication.

This role is ideal for someone with a background in architecture, digital design, or computational workflows who is excited to apply creative and technical skills in a highly collaborative, engineering-focused environment.

What You’ll Do

• Support computational design, VDC, and digital modeling workflows across structural engineering projects
• Develop and manage parametric models and workflows using Rhino and Grasshopper
• Create diagrams, graphics, animations, and video content for internal and client-facing deliverables
• Translate complex structural systems and construction sequences into clear visual narratives
• Contribute to workflow development, scripting, and automation to improve modeling and visualization processes
• Build interoperable models that connect across analysis, BIM, and visualization platforms
• Support 4D visualization and construction sequencing workflows using timeline-driven approaches
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to advance digital project delivery and communication strategies

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Engineering, Computational Design, Digital Design, or a related field
• 0–3 years of experience in the AEC or digital design industry
• Strong interest in computational design, visualization, and emerging digital workflows
• Advanced proficiency in Rhino and Grasshopper with experience building parametric workflows
• Experience contributing to VDC, computational design, or digital modeling initiatives
• Strong visual communication and graphic design skills, with an emphasis on clarity and storytelling
• Experience producing animations, renderings, or digital visualizations
• Strong collaboration, organization, and communication skills
• Preferred: Experience with tools and workflows such as Revit; Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects); real-time visualization platforms (e.g., Enscape, Twinmotion, D5, Unreal Engine); and scripting or automation (Python, C#, or similar)

Compensation

The rate for this position generally is $70,000 - $85,000 annually. This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the Illinois State Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful Illinois State applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in Illinois State or perform the position from Illinois State. Similar positions located outside of Illinois State will not necessarily receive the same compensation. Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted by Illinois Equal Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee’s pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.

Benefits

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability and other voluntary benefits
• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare
• Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Commuter Transit (where available)
• 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments
• Fitness Reimbursement
• And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.