Urban Designer + Planner

We are seeking a talented Urban Designer + Planner with 2-4 years of experience to work in our Philadelphia office. The position requires willingness to collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams on design, research, site analysis, graphics production, and writing for master planning and design projects. Applicants should possess strong graphics, design, analytical, research, and communication skills, with the ability to synthesize complex information effectively. 

This position offers growth potential for a creative problem solver and motivated individual willing to work collaboratively in an inter-disciplinary team with designers and planners.  

Pay Range: $65,000 - $75,000

Responsibilities include: 

• Perform planning and design assignments with limited supervision  
• Collaborate with and support multidisciplinary teams on planning-related tasks  
• Assist in public participation processes and stakeholder facilitation 
• Write summary memos and detailed reports 
• Synthesize and analyze results of community engagement exercises and community feedback  
• Develop planning-related presentation content and graphics (analysis maps, diagrams, infographics) 
• Support the design and layout of engagement materials, presentations, reports, and plans 
• Assist in developing design sketches, renderings, models and graphics for presentation and reports 
• Assist with marketing and business development initiatives 
• Have the ability to work with integrated AI tools to support our planning and design work   

The ideal candidate will have: 

• Master’s degree in Urban Planning and/or Urban Design. 
• Bachelor’s degree in planning, urban studies, landscape architecture, architecture, sustainable design, or related field is a plus.  
• 2-4 years of experience working on planning and urban design projects. 
• Excellent interpersonal communication (verbal, written, and graphic), research and collaboration skills. 
• Passion for consolidating complex data sets into clear ideas and ability to tell a story through excellent visual and written communication.  
• Interest in shaping vibrant, resilient communities through comprehensive neighborhood, district, and corridor planning, housing and Choice Neighborhoods initiatives, and meaningful community engagement.
• Adobe Creative Suite / Photoshop, Illustrator, and InDesign proficiency required.  
• Experience in ArcGIS Pro and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) required. 
• Proficiency in Rhino and/or AutoCAD, Grasshopper and widely used rendering software such as Lumion, Enscape is a plus. 
• Experience in graphic design, animation, website design, photography, and video editing (e.g., Adobe Lightroom and AfterEffects) is a plus. 
• Strong organizational and management skills and ability to work on multiple projects and tasks simultaneously. 
• Capacity for project-related travel.  
• Interest/willingness to contribute to the full range of our project types within the planning and urban design group  

Compensation & Benefits Include*:

• The expected pay range for this position is between $65,000-$75,000 annually, dependent upon education, skills, experience, skillset
• Hybrid work schedule (T/W/TH in-office)
• 401(k) + ROTH plan
• Health benefits (medical, vision, dental, life insurance, EAP, etc.)
• Paid time off (vacation, sick, personal days, parental leave, 7 holidays)
• Mentorship for professional development and personal growth
• 8 hours of paid volunteer time off per year
• Licensing or Certification Exam Assistance
• Transit benefits
• HSA or FSA Accounts are available based on eligibility requirements

* Above is partial list of benefits provided

We are passionate about making an impact, and welcome candidates who share our passion and bring diverse experience or non-traditional background.  Qualified applicants looking to apply for this position should use the following link:  http://www.wrtdesign.com/contact/careers Please submit your cover letter, resume, and portfolio / work samples. The size limit is 20mb.

Applications are reviewed in a continuous manner.  We encourage early submission, as the position may close once we have a strong pool of applicants, or a candidate has been selected.

Who We Are:

As an interdisciplinary team of planners, designers, and strategists, WRT works across scales to create transformative and lasting impacts in social equity, climate resilience, and learning environments. Our clients value our collaborative approach, leadership, and ability to design meaningful solutions that are responsive to their challenges, values, and aspirations. Founded in 1963, WRT was formed on the environmental ethos of designing with nature. In the 60 years since, WRT has grown into an award-winning planning and design firm with offices in Philadelphia and San Francisco and was named the AIA PA Firm of the Year in 2022 and recently named a 2025 EPIC Firm Award Recipient.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identify, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.  We strongly value diversity and an inclusive workplace.