SWA Group is seeking an experienced, creative, and technically accomplished Landscape Architect to join our Sausalito office.
We are looking for an exceptional individual who combines deep technical expertise with a genuine passion for design, innovation, and the art of making things. The ideal candidate is not simply an expert in construction documentation, but a creative problem-solver who sees technical challenges as opportunities to advance design ideas.
Working closely with our design teams, the Technical Design Director will play a critical role in transforming ambitious landscape concepts into innovative, elegant, and buildable solutions. This position will lead the technical development of projects through Design Development (DD), Construction Documentation (CD), and selective Construction Administration (CA), while providing early technical input during concept and schematic design when needed.
We value individuals who are intellectually curious, open-minded, collaborative, and constantly exploring new technologies, materials, fabrication methods, and construction techniques. The successful candidate will be someone who can think beyond conventional solutions, engage confidently with engineers and specialty manufacturers, and develop thoughtful details that preserve and elevate the original design vision.
This is a senior technical leadership position with a strong design focus, rather than a conventional technical management or business development role.
Key Responsibilities
Design Development & Creative Technical Problem-Solving
- Collaborate closely with design teams to translate ambitious conceptual designs into technically sophisticated, constructible solutions through DD and CD.
- Lead the technical development and detailing of complex, unconventional, and highly customized landscape elements, including specialty paving, landscape structures, water features, custom furnishings, integrated planting systems, and other bespoke components.
- Approach technical challenges with creativity and ingenuity, developing innovative solutions rather than relying solely on conventional construction details.
- Preserve and enhance design intent while balancing constructability, durability, performance, maintenance, cost, and regulatory requirements.
- Participate selectively during Concept and Schematic Design to identify potential technical challenges and explore innovative construction strategies early in the design process.
- Collaborate with project design leaders to evaluate alternative technical approaches and ensure that technical decisions reinforce the overall design vision.
Innovation, Materials & Construction Technologies
- Maintain a strong curiosity about emerging technologies, materials, fabrication processes, and construction methods.
- Proactively research and introduce new materials, products, manufacturing techniques, and construction systems that expand the creative possibilities of landscape architecture.
- Explore opportunities in digital fabrication, prefabrication, modular construction, advanced material applications, and sustainable construction technologies.
- Develop relationships with specialty manufacturers, fabricators, suppliers, and technical experts to explore customized design solutions.
- Collaborate with manufacturers and contractors on the development of prototypes, mockups, custom assemblies, and innovative construction details.
- Evaluate new materials and systems for their aesthetic qualities, technical performance, durability, cost, and long-term maintenance requirements.
- Help build an evolving internal knowledge base of innovative details, materials, manufacturers, and construction methods.
Multidisciplinary Technical Leadership & Coordination
- Represent the landscape design team and lead technical coordination meetings with architects, structural engineers, civil engineers, MEP consultants, irrigation designers, lighting designers, specialty consultants, and other project stakeholders.
- Lead technical discussions with clients, contractors, fabricators, and manufacturers to resolve complex design and construction challenges.
- Coordinate landscape design with architectural, structural, civil, waterproofing, drainage, utility, and other engineering systems.
- Proactively identify interdisciplinary conflicts, constructability challenges, and technical risks, and develop coordinated solutions.
- Communicate complex technical issues clearly and effectively, both verbally and graphically, to internal teams and external stakeholders.
- Exercise independent technical judgment while working collaboratively with project design leaders on decisions affecting design intent.
- Establish productive working relationships with consultants and contractors, encouraging creative and practical problem-solving across disciplines.
Technical Documentation, Specifications & Quality Assurance
- Provide technical leadership and oversight for DD and CD documentation across multiple projects.
- Lead QA/QC reviews of construction drawings, technical details, material specifications, and interdisciplinary coordination.
- Ensure documentation is technically sound, comprehensive, coordinated, and consistent with the project's design intent.
- Review complex construction details and assemblies for constructability, performance, durability, and maintenance.
- Identify documentation gaps, technical inconsistencies, and potential construction conflicts before major submissions.
- Guide project teams in developing clear, efficient, and technically rigorous construction documents.
- Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of office-wide technical standards, specifications, detail libraries, and QA/QC procedures.
Construction Phase Technical Support
- Provide specialized technical support during construction, working closely with the firm's designated field representatives and project design teams.
- Review and respond to technically complex Requests for Information (RFIs), shop drawings, material submittals, and proposed substitutions, particularly those affecting critical design elements.
- Participate in selected site visits, mockup reviews, and construction meetings for complex or highly customized landscape features.
- Collaborate with field representatives, contractors, and manufacturers to resolve unforeseen technical challenges while maintaining design integrity.
- Evaluate construction alternatives and field modifications, recommending practical and creative solutions consistent with the approved design.
- Document lessons learned from construction and apply them to future technical development and detailing.
The Technical Design Director will not be expected to serve as the primary day-to-day field representative. Construction involvement will focus on key design elements and technically significant issues requiring specialized expertise.
Cost Awareness & Design-Driven Value Engineering
- Understand the cost implications of materials, fabrication methods, construction details, and installation techniques.
- Work with design teams, cost consultants, and contractors to identify cost-effective technical solutions without compromising design quality.
- Explore alternative construction systems, materials, and fabrication strategies that improve efficiency, durability, or value.
- Contribute to value engineering efforts through creative technical problem-solving rather than simply reducing design complexity or eliminating design features.
- Help project teams anticipate technical and cost-related challenges early enough to make informed design decisions.
Technical Mentorship & Practice Development
- Serve as a trusted technical resource and mentor to landscape architects and designers throughout the office.
- Support project teams in developing technical expertise, construction knowledge, and confidence in solving complex design challenges.
- Foster a culture of curiosity, experimentation, technical excellence, and continuous learning.
- Organize technical workshops, detail reviews, material presentations, and knowledge-sharing sessions.
- Develop and maintain a library of proven construction details, innovative materials, specialty manufacturers, and lessons learned from completed projects.
- Help strengthen the practice's overall technical capabilities while encouraging creativity and independent thinking.
Qualifications
Required
- Degree in Landscape Architecture, Architecture, or a closely related design discipline.
- 10-15 years of relevant professional experience, with substantial experience leading technical development and construction documentation for complex, design-driven projects. Exceptional candidates with less experience will also be considered.
- Demonstrated expertise in construction detailing, material systems, specifications, fabrication methods, and construction methodologies.
- A strong portfolio of built projects demonstrating creative technical problem-solving and the successful realization of complex or unconventional design elements.
- Proven ability to develop innovative technical solutions that balance design intent, constructability, performance, and cost.
- Extensive experience coordinating with architects, engineers, specialty consultants, contractors, fabricators, and manufacturers.
- Experience leading technical meetings and representing design teams in multidisciplinary coordination.
- Strong understanding of landscape construction systems, including paving, retaining structures, landscape structures, waterproofing, drainage, planting on structure, and integration with architectural and engineering systems.
- Experience overseeing DD and CD documentation, specifications, and QA/QC processes.
- Experience with construction-phase technical coordination, RFIs, shop drawings, submittals, and mockup reviews.
- Excellent communication, collaboration, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
Preferred
- Professional licensure in Landscape Architecture or Architecture.
- Experience with high-end residential, hospitality, mixed-use, urban public realm, and other complex design projects.
- Experience developing custom-designed landscape elements in collaboration with specialty manufacturers and fabricators.
- Familiarity with emerging construction technologies, digital fabrication, advanced materials, and innovative manufacturing processes.
- Experience working on international projects and coordinating with multidisciplinary teams across different regions.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD and working knowledge of Rhino, Revit, and contemporary digital design and documentation workflows.
- Familiarity with sustainable design practices, accessibility requirements, relevant building codes, and industry standards.
We welcome candidates with strong architectural, fabrication, or construction technology backgrounds whose expertise can contribute meaningfully to the technical development of complex landscape projects.
The Qualities We Value
Beyond professional qualifications, we are particularly interested in someone who demonstrates:
Design Sensitivity: A genuine appreciation for design excellence and an ability to understand, protect, and enhance the original design vision through technical development.
Creative Problem-Solving: An instinct to explore possibilities and find inventive solutions to challenging design problems, rather than defaulting to conventional approaches or accepting technical limitations too readily.
Intellectual Curiosity: An ongoing interest in how things are made, how materials perform, and how emerging technologies and manufacturing methods can open new design possibilities.
Technical Excellence: A rigorous understanding of construction, detailing, performance, and documentation, combined with exceptional attention to quality.
Collaborative Leadership: The confidence to lead complex technical discussions while remaining approachable, respectful, and receptive to ideas from others.
Proactive Thinking: The ability to anticipate challenges, identify opportunities, and bring forward solutions before problems escalate.
Mentorship: A willingness to share knowledge, support colleagues, and help elevate the technical capabilities of the entire team.
Adaptability: Strong expertise without ego. Someone who is comfortable challenging assumptions, learning from others, and recognizing that the best solutions often emerge through collaboration.
Why Join SWA Group
This position offers an opportunity to work at the intersection of design, technology, and construction, contributing to ambitious landscape architecture projects across a diverse range of scales and contexts.
The Technical Design Director will have a meaningful role in shaping how complex design ideas are developed, detailed, and ultimately built. Working closely with talented design teams, the successful candidate will help advance technical innovation, strengthen the practice's collective expertise, and contribute directly to the quality of our built work.
We believe that technical excellence should enable great design, not limit it.
We are looking for someone who shares that philosophy and finds genuine satisfaction in turning ambitious ideas into beautifully crafted, enduring places.
Compensation & Benefits
SWA offers a competitive compensation and benefits package, with potential annual total compensation ranging from $100,000 to $135,000, depending on experience, qualifications, and applicable incentive programs.
Our compensation package includes a base salary supplemented by performance-based bonuses, profit sharing, participation in the firm's Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP), and employer 401(k) matching contributions.
We believe in recognizing individual contributions, rewarding collective success, and providing opportunities for long-term professional and financial growth through shared ownership.