Design Technology Innovation Specialist

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Design Technology Innovation Specialist

role at

NAC

Location : Seattle, Spokane, Columbus, Los Angeles

Salary Ranges : Seattle / Los Angeles - $104,000 - 139,000 / yr, Spokane / Columbus - $95,000 - 125,000 / yr

Full Time

Exempt

Overview / Summary

We are seeking a forward-thinking and technically skilled Design Technology Innovation Specialist to elevate our design process through technology innovation and software development. Working closely with firm leadership and our Data and Innovation team, this role designs and develops creative solutions that bridge computational design, process automation, and architectural production. The position will also actively explore new technologies—including AI and immersive media—and support their thoughtful integration into design workflows and firmwide innovation initiatives. Ideal candidates are excited by experimentation, motivated by real-world problem-solving, and passionate about pushing our architectural practice forward.

Key Responsibilities

Data and Innovation Team Collaboration :

Work with firmwide and studio leadership and cross-functional studio and corporate resources to identify, prioritize and pursue use cases for technology innovation, exploration and adoption. Coordinate with data analysts to utilize design and project data in design solutions and with IT to ensure smooth integration of new technology solutions into production operations. Engage with project teams to obtain feedback, iterate on solutions and support adoption.

Data and AI Use Case Design and Development :

Translate prioritized data and innovation use cases into prototype applications, tools, and workflows across design, production and corporate use cases. Develop data and AI-driven solutions to automate workflows and provide data-driven insights. Iterate on use cases to drive value and scale solutions to production.

R&D and Emerging Technology Exploration :

Explore and prototype emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence (e.g., generative AI, machine learning, visual recognition), computer vision, and smart automation for architectural applications. Stay current on emerging technologies and trends in digital design, architecture, and advocate for relevant applications within the firm. Contribute to R&D initiatives focused on evaluating and integrating new platforms (e.g., AI-based design assistance, video-to-3D, speech-to-model, etc.) Support exploratory R&D projects and hackathons to identify and test new ideas and communicate findings and recommendations to leadership and the innovation portfolio. Participate in training sessions, workshops, and knowledge-sharing forums to foster digital fluency and innovation culture across the firm.

Generative and Computational Design :

Develop and implement computational design strategies to augment the creative process. Use procedural node-based programming (Grasshopper, Dynamo, etc.), algorithmic and generative design techniques to produce innovative design options and solve complex geometry challenges. Integrate computational, generative, and parametric workflows into concept and solution development.

Design and Visualization Workflow Optimization :

Drive the development of tools to support generative design, automation, and production efficiency (such as custom scripts, plug-ins, and computational tools to generate design iterations or check model compliance automatically). Enhance BIM and Revit workflows through automation and customization, particularly in support of efficiency, optimization and quality of production and project delivery. Develop workflows and tools that leverage video production, motion graphics, or real-time rendering for design storytelling and internal communication. Document workflows and develop guides and resources to support tool adoption and knowledge sharing.

Custom Software Development :

Drive the development of software to create custom solutions, plugins, scripts and applications that streamline our design and delivery processes and establish new capabilities. Translate architects’ needs into technical designs and solutions; develop, test and refine these tools for studio use.

Requirements

Education and Experience : Professional degree in Architecture, Industrial Design, Computational Design, Computer Science or related field. 7-10+ years of experience in a design technology, computational design, or digital innovation-oriented role. Experience on project teams using advanced digital tools (parametric design, automation etc.) is required. Knowledge of machine learning and artificial intelligence within the architecture industry. Solid understanding of architectural or similar design workflows and production processes across all project phases.

Design Software and Software Development : Proficiency in 3D / BIM software (Revit, Rhino) and visual programming tools (Grasshopper, Dynamo) for parametric design. Strong programming skills in one or more languages (Python, C# and / or JavaScript) to develop custom tools and automate tasks. Familiarity with machine learning concepts or AI frameworks applied to design problems. Experience with data visualization or analysis tools (e.g. Power BI, Tableau) is advantageous.

Generative Design and Content Creation : Experience with AI tools and platforms such as ChatGPT, Midjourney, Stable Diffusion, ControlNet, ComfyUI, Runway, or similar tools used for generative design, image processing, or content creation.

Visualization : Interest or experience in motion design, video editing, or storytelling using tools like After Effects, Premiere Pro, Twinmotion, or real-time rendering platforms.

Innovation Mindset : Demonstrated passion for emerging technology in the AEC industry. Participation in hackathons, research projects, industry tech forums and open-source contributions or published research in computational design or related areas is a plus. Proven ability to experiment, iterate and implement new ideas in a real-world project context. Comfort working in an evolving space with ambiguous challenges and rapidly advancing toolsets.

Collaborative Communication : Excellent communication and collaboration skills working across diverse audiences. Ability to translate between designers and software developers, explaining design needs to technologists and vice versa.

Seniority level

Mid-Senior level

Employment type

Full-time

Job function

Product Management and Marketing

Industries

Architecture and Planning

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