Technical Designer - Sports - Mid Level

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 $77,500 - $104,000 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.