Principal Environmental Designer — Store Experience Lead

Nordstrom; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 94,000 - 155,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical/Vision/Dental

Retirement Plan

Paid Time Away

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Merchandise Discount

EAP Resources

Job summary

Nordstrom seeks a Principal Environmental Designer to guide the creative direction of environmental design across stores. This visionary leader drives innovation in store environments and experiential design, aligning with brand identity and business objectives.

The role oversees 500+ projects annually, mentors design teams, and partners with Nordstrom Merchandising Group to translate seasonal strategies into immersive in-store experiences, ensuring alignment with brand vision and customer

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Design, Architecture, Industrial Design, or related field.
• 8–10+ years of experience in retail design, visual merchandising, or experiential design, with a strong portfolio of leadership in large-scale projects.
• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders.
• Deep understanding of 3D spatial design, materials, fabrication methods, and retail environments.
• Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, CAD, and other 3D modeling/rendering tools.
• Strong knowledge of Nordstrom’s brand, customer, and retail landscape preferred.
• Experience with sustainability practices and scalable design systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Define and lead the creative vision for large-scale environmental design initiatives, including store concepts, Scaled Events, and brand activations.
• Partner with senior leadership across Visual Merchandising, Brand Creative, Marketing, and Store Operations to align design strategies with business goals.
• Oversee the development of design systems, standards, and scalable solutions that ensure consistency across all physical and digital environments.
• Guide and mentor a team of designers, fostering a culture of creativity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Present design strategies and concepts to executive stakeholders and external partners, articulating the business impact and customer value.
• Lead innovation in materials, sustainability, and production methods to enhance design quality and operational efficiency.
• Evaluate and approve high-impact design proposals, prototypes, and final executions to ensure alignment with brand and customer expectations.
• Collaborate with VM Engineers and Project Managers to ensure feasibility, budget alignment, and timely delivery of projects.
• Stay ahead of industry trends and emerging technologies to inform future-forward design thinking.

Skills

Leadership & mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Influencing stakeholders

Communication

Strategic thinking

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Environmental Design, Architecture, Industrial Design, or related field

Tools

Adobe Creative Suite

SketchUp

CAD

3D modeling/rendering tools

Job description

Nordstrom seeks a Principal Environmental Designer to guide the creative direction of environmental design across stores. This visionary leader drives innovation in store environments and experiential design, aligning with brand identity and business objectives.

The role oversees 500+ projects annually, mentors design teams, and partners with Nordstrom Merchandising Group to translate seasonal strategies into immersive in-store experiences, ensuring alignment with brand vision and customer