Urban Designer + Planner

About the role

Dills Architects is more than a design practice; we are stewards of the possible discovering and activating the best of people and places in the public realm. Our work uncovers what communities, landscapes, and institutions can become, then guides this potential into reality. These values shape how we move through the work: Courage — willing to take on complex challenges; Curiosity — believing there is more; Humility — recognizing our role within a larger context; Collaboration — shaping the vision together; Stewardship — carrying the promise with care.

Dills Architects is searching for a creative and dedicated Project Architect. We are looking for senior level candidates to lead projects with both design clarity and technical authority. This role requires strong design judgement paired with the ability to execute and oversee documentation with precision. This is an on-site or hybrid position at our Virginia Beach office. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in Urban Design, Architecture, Landscape Architecture, Planning, or related discipline with minimum 4 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated strength in urban design, master planning, site planning, and public-realm design across multiple scales
• Ability to analyze physical, social, environmental, and regulatory conditions and translate findings into meaningful design strategies
• Strong spatial thinking with the ability to develop clear planning frameworks, site concepts, diagrams, and design guidelines
• Experience with community engagement, stakeholder workshops, and/or public presentations preferred
• Strong graphic, written, and verbal communication with an ability to make complex ideas understandable and visually compelling
• Proficiency in GIS and Adobe Creative Suite/Affinity required
• Fluency in Rhino, SketchUp, AutoCAD, Revit, or comparable modeling and documentation tools preferred
• Working knowledge of land use, zoning, transportation, resilience, and development patterns
• Organized, self-directed, collaborative, and comfortable contributing across multiple projects and scales
• AICP, LEED, or other relevant professional credential is valued but not required

Responsibilities

• Contribute to urban design, master planning, campus, civic, and public-realm projects from early research through implementation
• Conduct site, contextual, demographic, environmental, land-use, and precedent analysis to inform design decisions
• Develop planning frameworks, site plans, public-realm concepts, design guidelines, and alternative development scenarios
• Translate data and complex project conditions into clear maps, diagrams, models, visualizations, and compelling narratives
• Explore connections between buildings, landscapes, mobility, infrastructure, ecology, and community experience
• Support and participate in stakeholder meetings, community engagement, workshops, and public presentations
• Research zoning, policy, development standards, and planning requirements and incorporate findings into project strategies
• Coordinate with architects, landscape architects, engineers, consultants, clients, municipalities, and community partners
• Contribute to proposals, interviews, research initiatives, and thought leadership related to cities and the public realm

Benefits

• Competitive salary + bonus opportunities
• Health + dental + life insurance
• 401k plan + % match
• Generous PTO package
• Opportunities for growth + expanded responsibility

Pay

Salary range: $75,000 – $105,000

Schedule

On-site or hybrid at the Virginia Beach office. Relocation assistance may be available for qualified candidates.