What are the responsibilities and job description for the Landscape Designer (1-3 Years of Professional Experience) position at SWA Group?
SWA’s Houston studio is looking for a Landscape Designer with 1-3 years of professional experience who is eager to help shape resilient, equitable, and beautifully crafted places—locally and around the world.
Our Houston office operates at the intersection of global practice and local impact. We work with public agencies, developers, and civic partners to rethink how cities grow, adapt, and thrive—often as prime consultant, with a strong voice in shaping design outcomes. From urban parks and waterfronts to complex civic and mixed-use projects, our work is rooted in Houston’s diverse communities and ecosystems while engaging ideas at an international scale.
At SWA, you’ll collaborate closely with project teams on projects of varying scale and complexity. You’ll contribute to design concepts, visual storytelling, and the development of technical drawings—while growing your skills in a supportive, idea-driven studio. We’re looking for someone curious, creative, and ready to jump in—someone excited to learn, contribute, and help turn big ideas into built work.
What You’ll Do
- Produce compelling design and presentation graphics
- Create 3D models, renderings, plans, and perspectives
- Assist in the preparation of landscape construction documents, including site layouts, planting plans, grading, sections, and details
- Translate design concepts and redlines into clear, accurate technical drawings
- Collaborate with senior designers and multidisciplinary teams
- Participate in team meetings and design discussions
What You Bring
- A degree from an accredited program in Landscape Architecture or a related field
- Strong design thinking, organization, and attention to detail
- Working knowledge of technical drawings and construction documentation
- Clear written and verbal communication skills
- Comfort working collaboratively in a fast-paced studio environment
- Proficiency in design and visualization tools, including:
- Adobe Creative Cloud
- 3D modeling/rendering tools (Rhino, SketchUp, Revit, Lumion, Enscape)
- AutoCAD
- Grasshopper and GIS experience a plus
Why SWA | Houston
- Work alongside a diverse, talented team within a globally respected design practice
- Engage with exciting projects across Houston, the U.S., and internationally
- Be part of an idea-driven studio where design excellence guides everything we do
- Grow your design, technical, and communication skills with mentorship and support
- Access a standout benefits package, including employee stock ownership, profit sharing, and long-term wealth-building opportunities
- Live and work in one of the most diverse, creative, and affordable major cities in the U.S.
How to Apply
Please submit the following:
- Resume
- Portfolio highlighting work you’re most proud of
- Brief cover letter sharing what inspires you as a designer and the types of projects and ideas you’re excited to explore