Technical Designer - Sports - Mid Level

Gensler; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 84,000 - 108,000; Full time

Job summary

Gensler’s Sports Studio designs high-performance venues, from arenas and training facilities to esports and mixed-use districts, shaping communities and experiences.

As a Gensler Technical Designer, you’ll blend conceptual rigor with technical expertise to translate ambitious visions into functionally beautiful spaces. You’ll collaborate with studio leadership to drive innovation on fast-paced projects in sports and live events, with mentorship and growth at the core.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited program.
• 6+ years of progressively responsible experience on large-scale architectural projects.
• Strong graphic, visualization, and presentation skills.
• Proficiency in Revit and Rhino; Grasshopper preferred; AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite expected.

Responsibilities

• Translate client goals into innovative, high-performance conceptual designs.
• Produce graphic presentations and construction documents using digital tools and hand rendering.
• Resolve design challenges to ensure constructible, top-tier solutions.
• Lead documentation and coordination with project teams, clients, and consultants.
• Direct construction administration tasks with RFIs and submittals.
• Contribute to project financial performance and assist with proposals.

Skills

Architectural design

Team collaboration

Presentation skills

Project management

Real-time visualization

Sustainability

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture

Tools

Revit

Rhino

Grasshopper

AutoCAD

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Description

Sports and recreation environments are evolving rapidly as technology and fan expectations rise. Gensler’s cross‑disciplinary expertise positions our Sports practice at a unique advantage, delivering high‑performance venues, from professional arenas and training facilities to esports and mixed‑use districts. We create impactful, future‑ready destinations that elevate experiences for athletes, fans, and communities alike.

Your Role

As a Gensler Technical Designer, you will bring conceptual rigor and deep investigation to complex architectural challenges. Blending creativity with technical expertise, you’ll translate ambitious visions into functionally beautiful, high‑performing spaces. You will collaborate with studio leadership to drive innovation on the most exciting projects in the sports and live events industry. These fast‑paced, high‑profile environments demand sharp instincts and real‑time decision‑making, offering an unparalleled platform to accelerate your career through hands‑on problem‑solving and mentorship.

What You Will Do

• Partner with Design Directors and the Sports & Mixed‑Use team to translate client goals and market expertise into innovative, high‑performance conceptual designs.
• Produce compelling graphic presentations and construction documents, utilizing both digital tools and hand‑rendering techniques to clearly communicate design intent.
• Resolve complex design challenges to ensure ambitious concepts are translated into constructible, top‑tier technical solutions without sacrificing design integrity.
• Lead documentation and coordination efforts across the internal project team, clients, contractors, and specialized consultants (structural, MEP, AV, acoustics, life safety, etc.).
• Direct construction administration tasks, including processing submittals, addressing RFIs, and interfacing directly with building officials during the permitting and construction phases.
• Actively contribute to project financial performance.
• Assist Design/Project Managers with proposals and contracts, as needed.
• Cultivate productive, ongoing client relationships.
• Actively advance on the path to architectural licensure (preferred) while contributing to the studio's rigorous and collaborative culture.

Your Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from a professionally accredited program.
• 6+ years of progressively responsible experience working on complex, large‑scale architectural projects, preferably in the sports and entertainment industry, education, or institutional environments.
• Strong organizational, creative, and collaborative skills, with the ability to work independently while managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong graphic, visualization, and presentation skills to effectively communicate design ideas.
• Proficiency in Autodesk Revit and Rhinoceros (Rhino) required; experience with Grasshopper for parametric design workflows preferred. Additional proficiency in Autodesk AutoCAD and Adobe Creative Suite expected.
• Familiarity with real‑time visualization tools.
• Passion for sustainable design practices and interest in pursuing certifications such as LEED, Fitwel, or similar sustainability credentials preferred.

Culture in Gensler’s Sports Studio

Gensler’s Sports Studio is a place where design meets the energy of live events. Our team works on some of the world’s most impactful sports and entertainment venues, shaping arenas, stadiums, and mixed‑use districts that become cultural anchors for their cities. The work takes you beyond the studio, traveling to venues, learning from live environments, and engaging directly with the moments that make these places come alive.

The culture is fast‑paced, collaborative, and driven by people who are passionate about both design and the experiences it creates. You’ll work alongside energized, supportive teammates, share ideas across a global network, and celebrate the wins together, whether that’s opening night, a major milestone, or a great project review. It’s a studio built around curiosity, momentum, and a shared love of live entertainment.

• The base salary will be estimated between $84,000 - $108,000 plus bonuses and benefits and contingent on relevant experience.

To be considered

Please submit a portfolio in PDF format.

Life at Gensler

As a people‑first organization, we are as committed to enjoying life as we are to delivering best‑in‑class design. From curated art exhibits to internal design competitions to “Well‑being Week,” our offices reflect our people’s diverse interests.

We encourage every person at Gensler to lead a healthy and balanced life. Our comprehensive benefits include medical, dental, vision, disability, wellness programs, flex spending, paid holidays, and paid time off. We also offer a 401k, profit sharing, employee stock ownership, and twice annual bonus opportunities. Our annual base salary range has been established based on local markets.

As part of the firm’s commitment to licensure and professional development, Gensler offers reimbursement for certain professional licenses and associated renewals and exam fees. In addition, we reimburse tuition for certain eligible programs or classes. We view our professional development programs as strategic investments in our future.

NOTICE TO APPLICANTS

We are proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer of choice. All aspects of employment decisions will be based on merit, performance, and business needs. We do not discriminate on the basis of any status protected under federal, state, and local law.

Individuals with disabilities and protected veterans are encouraged to apply. We also consider qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with federal, state, and local law.

See also Know your rights: Workplace discrimination is illegal, right to work and E‑verify program, as required by law.

Gensler endeavors to make gensler.com/careers accessible to all applicants. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us.

Regarding Gensler’s approach to recruiting new talent, we will never ask an applicant for sensitive or personal financial information during the recruitment process. We advise all applicants seeking employment with Gensler to review available information on recruitment fraud. Anyone who suspects that they have been contacted by someone falsely representing Gensler should e‑mail [e-mail].