Technical Design Director - Landscape Architecture

SWA Group; Sausalito (CA); On-site; USD 100,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Profit sharing

401(k) matching

Job summary

SWA Group invites a Senior Landscape Architect to join the Sausalito office as a Technical Design Director, leading the technical development from concept to CD and selective CA. You will guide complex, customized landscape elements, collaborate with engineers and fabricators, and push innovative construction techniques while preserving design intent.

This senior role emphasizes design leadership with technical excellence, mentoring staff, and advancing the practice through standards,

Qualifications

• Degree in Landscape Architecture or Architecture or a closely related design discipline.
• 10–15 years of relevant professional experience, with substantial experience leading technical development and construction documentation for complex, design-driven projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in construction detailing, material systems, specifications, fabrication methods, and construction methodologies.
• Strong portfolio of built projects showing creative technical problem-solving and successful realization of complex design elements.
• Proven ability to develop innovative technical solutions balancing design intent, constructability, performance, and cost.
• Extensive experience coordinating with architects, engineers, consultants, contractors, fabricators, and manufacturers.
• Experience leading technical meetings and representing design teams in multidisciplinary coordination.
• Strong understanding of landscape construction systems including paving, structures, waterproofing, drainage, planting on structure, and integration with other systems.
• Experience overseeing DD and CD documentation, specifications, QA/QC processes.
• Experience with RFIs, shop drawings, submittals, and mockups; capable of resolving technical challenges.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical development and detailing of complex, customized landscape elements.
• Translate ambitious conceptual designs into technically sophisticated, constructible solutions through DD and CD.
• Collaborate with project leaders to evaluate alternative technical approaches that reinforce the design vision.
• Represent the landscape design team in coordination meetings with architects, engineers, and consultants.
• Provide QA/QC oversight for construction documents, details, and specifications.
• Coordinate with clients, contractors, fabricators, and manufacturers to resolve design and construction challenges.
• Mentor staff and develop technical standards, detail libraries, and QA/QC procedures.
• Support construction phase with RFIs, shop drawings, and field coordination.

Skills

Landscape design leadership

Technical coordination

Construction documentation

Client & consultant coordination

AutoCAD

Rhino

Revit

Digital fabrication

Education

Degree in Landscape Architecture or Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Rhino

Revit

Job description

SWA Group invites a Senior Landscape Architect to join the Sausalito office as a Technical Design Director, leading the technical development from concept to CD and selective CA. You will guide complex, customized landscape elements, collaborate with engineers and fabricators, and push innovative construction techniques while preserving design intent.

This senior role emphasizes design leadership with technical excellence, mentoring staff, and advancing the practice through standards,