NAC · 3 days ago
Design Technology Innovation Specialist
Spokane, WA
Full-time
Onsite
Senior Level
$104K/yr - $139K/yr
7+ years expNAC is seeking a forward-thinking and technically skilled Design Technology Innovation Specialist to elevate their design process through technology innovation and software development. This role involves collaborating with firm leadership and the Data and Innovation team to design and develop creative solutions that bridge computational design, process automation, and architectural production, while exploring new technologies such as AI and immersive media.
Consulting
Responsibilities
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
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
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
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
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
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
Qualification
Required
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
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
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
Interest or experience in motion design, video editing, or storytelling using tools like After Effects, Premiere Pro, Twinmotion, or real-time rendering platforms
Demonstrated passion for emerging technology in the AEC industry
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
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
Preferred
Participation in hackathons, research projects, industry tech forums and open-source contributions or published research in computational design or related areas is a plus
Company
NAC
NAC is an award-winning design firm with talented team members working in offices in Seattle and Spokane, WA, Los Angeles and San Diego, CA, and Columbus, OH.
201-500 employees
H1B Sponsorship
NAC has a track record of offering H1B sponsorships. Please note that this does not
guarantee sponsorship for this specific role. Below presents additional info for your
reference. (Data Powered by US Department of Labor)
Distribution of Different Job Fields Receiving Sponsorship
Represents job field similar to this job
Trends of Total Sponsorships
2023 (2)
2022 (2)
2021 (2)
2020 (3)
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageLeadership Team
Tracy Golden
Chief Financial Officer
Dana Harbaugh
Chief Operating Officer
Company data provided by crunchbase