Computational Designer in London

About Populous

For more than 40 years Populous has had a singular focus – to draw people together around the things that they love, to be the leading design firm that specialises in places, spaces and events where people gather. Our success is defined by designing projects that are seen as the benchmark. We are committed to future innovation, anticipating and shaping the future of our industries.

About The Role

We are looking for a motivated and enthusiastic Computational Designer to join our growing Global Digital team. You will be part of a dedicated team of computational and digital experts, working on industry leading systems, workflows, tools, and products. In this role, you will:

• Collaborate with project teams across the company, applying computational techniques and methods to solve design challenges and enhance workflows.
• Contribute to the development of tools and systems for internal and external use, gaining valuable experience in a range of platforms and programming languages.

This role requires a very good level of proficiency with computational tools, along with a strong interest in programming (C# & Python). Knowledge of web development tools and frameworks is a bonus.

Key Responsibilities

• Work and collaborate in an agile development environment, prioritising the development of widely applicable and repeatable tools.
• Assist in developing and implementing custom apps and services to automate tasks and build interoperability.
• Support the development of new computational tools and workflows to facilitate design exploration, automated analysis, and data management.
• Work as part of a global specialist team to deliver solutions to Populous internally and to its external clients.
• Document and maintain workflows, tools, and processes as required.
• Promote and share new tools and workflows across the global Populous studios.
• Collaborate with project teams to understand requirements and deliver effective computational solutions.
• Stay up-to-date with industry trends and innovations in computational design.
• Contribute to internal and external publications, presentations, seminars, and talks on Innovation and Research.
• Participate in team discussions, workshops, and presentations to contribute to the team's development.
• All other duties and responsibilities as required.

Key Requirements

• A strong passion for computational design and a desire to learn and grow within the field.
• Strong understanding of computational thinking and application of computational design methodologies.
• Understanding of architectural building systems.
• Good knowledge of computational design tools such as Grasshopper, Rhino, Revit, or Dynamo or other.
• Strong familiarity with scripting languages like Python or C# is an advantage.
• Ability to work iteratively across a variety of project typologies and among multiple design platforms.
• Ability to support multiple projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with data visualization techniques and practices.
• Strong graphic, visualization, and representation skills to communicate design ideas.
• Strong relationship-building and problem-solving skills.
• Strong organisational skills and a high level of attention to detail.
• Communicates professionally both verbally and in writing.
• Works in a team environment.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills, with the ability to work effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
• Highly self-motivated; ability to conduct design studies with minimal supervision.

Education & Experience

• Degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, or related field required, postgraduate qualification is a bonus.
• 3 – 5 years of experience in a relevant field or academic projects showcasing computational design skills.
• Experience in other advanced industries will also be considered: automotive, aerospace, defence, games, film & TV, etc.
• Good experience with 3D software, parametric/generative modelling and automation experience, Revit/Dynamo, Rhino/Grasshopper etc.
• Experience in scripting/software development is required (C#, Python, or Javascript).
• Familiarity with cloud technologies (SQL, PowerBI, or other) is a bonus.
• Awareness of emerging technologies, such as augmented reality (AR), virtual reality (VR), and computational design, and their potential applications in architecture.

About The Studio

Our Putney studio, which is also our EMEA Headquarters, is located on the banks of the River Thames, a short walk from Putney High Street and with excellent travel connections.

Why Join the Team?

• Work alongside passionate, creative individuals who lead their industry, transform ideas into reality and celebrate the beauty of human connection.
• Enjoy various benefits, such as hybrid working and gym membership discounts.
• Enjoy the opportunity to attend events at Populous-designed venues.
• Connect and learn at regular social and knowledge-sharing events including an annual conference and a weekend abroad Christmas party.

How To Apply

Populous is an equal opportunity employer. If you’re ready to utilise your skills to support our growing practice, click “Apply” to begin the application process. In your application, please include your CV and a one-page letter of motivation (cover letter), salary expectations, and availability.