Junior Architect / Designer (New Grad) – Populous
Populous is the world's preeminent sports and entertainment architecture firm — having designed 3,000+ projects in 30+ countries including Wembley Stadium (London), Yankee Stadium (New York), Kauffman Stadium (Kansas City), and the venues for the 2012 London Olympics and 2028 LA Olympics. Populous is the undisputed global leader in stadium, arena, ballpark, convention center, and live event venue design — a deeply specialized practice where every detail serves tens of thousands of passionate fans. Populous's Kansas City headquarters is the creative hub for the firm's iconic sports architecture studio. We are hiring New Grad Junior Architects and Designers to join Populous's world-renowned sports design team.
Responsibilities
- Design and develop architectural drawings for sports venues, arenas, convention centers, and sports-anchored mixed-use developments at all phases from concept through construction documents
- Build detailed Revit architectural models for stadium and arena typologies — bowl geometry, spectator sightline analysis, concourse planning, and premium hospitality suite design
- Create vivid design visualizations and presentation packages — SketchUp, Rhino, Grasshopper parametric modeling, and high-quality Enscape/Lumion renderings for team owner and league presentations
- Support sightline analysis using Populous's proprietary bowl design software — optimizing C-values and seat geometry for premium fan experience
- Research sustainable design strategies for large-scale public assembly buildings — LEED, WELL, and carbon-neutral stadium design
- Coordinate Populous venue designs with structural, MEP, acoustics, audio/visual, and specialty consultants
Requirements
- Bachelor's or Master's of Architecture from an NAAB-accredited program
- Revit and Rhino/Grasshopper proficiency — parametric design skills are particularly valued at Populous
- Passion for sports, entertainment, and crowd-experience design
- Strong design portfolio demonstrating spatial thinking at large scale
- Experience with sightline analysis, spectator experience design, or large public building typologies is a plus
Benefits
- Competitive salary with Populous annual incentive
- Work on the world's most iconic sports venues — including upcoming Olympic Games projects
- ARE reimbursement and structured licensure mentorship
- Medical, dental, and vision benefits
- 401(k) with Populous matching