Generative Design Engineer

What We're Looking For

At HNTB, you can create a career that is meaningful to you while building communities that matter to all of us. For more than a century, we have been delivering solutions for some of the largest, most complex infrastructure projects across the country. With our historic growth, it is an exciting time to join our team of employee-owners.
This position supports HNTB’s Digital Transformation Solutions Group as part of the Virtual Design and Construction team. The Generative Design Engineer focuses on advancing automated, algorithmic, parametric, and generative design workflows across planning, design, and construction phases for transportation-related infrastructure projects.
The role emphasizes the development and application of rule-based, data-driven, and optimization-based design systems that improve design quality, efficiency, and decision-making. The Sr VDC Specialist works closely with designers, engineers, VDC professionals, and project teams to develop reusable tools, scripts, and workflows that integrate seamlessly into existing design processes.
This position requires strong technical expertise, domain experience, platform excellence and the ability to translate design intent and constraints into scalable computational solutions.

What You'll Do:

• Designs and leads digital delivery strategies for critical design and construction projects.
• Develops BIM workflows and oversees model coordination and visualization.
• Implements cutting-edge technologies and integrates with project systems.
• Leads automation initiatives and data analytics for construction insights.
• Provides technical leadership and mentorship across VDC teams.
• Collaborates with stakeholders to align digital deliverables with project goals.
• Ensures quality, scalability, and compliance of digital outputs.
• Manages tasks and budgets.
• Serves as Subject Matter Expert on pursuit teams.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

What You'll Need:

• Associate’s degree or certificate in computer-aided design (CAD), BIM, VDC, or a related field and 7 years of relevant experience, or
• Bachelor’s degree in Construction Management, Engineering, or a related field and 5 years of related experience, or
• In lieu of education, 9 years of relevant experience.

What You'll Bring:

• Demonstrated experience developing parametric and generative design workflows for real world projects.
• Strong understanding of design logic, geometry, constraints, and performance driven design.
• Ability to work across disciplines and communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences.
• Experience supporting infrastructure and/or complex building projects.
• Experience reading and comprehending Design Criteria Manuals
• Strong problem-solving skills and a passion for automation and innovation.

Technology and Tools Experience Preferred

Experience with a combination of the following generative and computational design tools:

Parametric and Generative Design

• Dynamo for Revit and Civil 3D
• Grasshopper for Rhino
• Autodesk Generative Design tools
• Open Source tools

Scripting and Programming

• Python
• C Sharp or .NET
• Visual programming workflows

BIM and Design Platforms

• Autodesk Revit
• Autodesk Civil 3D
• Autodesk InfraWorks
• Autodesk Navisworks
• Bentley OpenRoads, OpenRail, OpenBridge
• Bentley Generative Components, OpenSite+, and Synchro+

Analysis and Optimization

• Design performance analysis tools
• Data driven design and optimization frameworks

What We Prefer:

• Certifications in BIM, CAD, or other VDC technologies.
• Certifications in project management (PMP, Agile) or management practices.
• Bachelor or Master’s degree in Construction Management, Architecture, Engineering, Geospatial Science, Data Science, or Computer Science
• Demonstrated experience integrating generative design into production BIM workflows.
• Familiarity with automation at scale and reusable tool development.
• Exposure to AI assisted or optimization-based design methods.
• Experience working in a collaborative design or VDC environment.

Additional Information

Click here for benefits information: HNTB Total Rewards

Click here to learn more about Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

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Locations:

Austin, TX, Chicago, IL, Kansas City, MO, Minneapolis, MN, New York, NY, Oakland, CA, Santa Ana, CA (Irvine)

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The approximate pay range for New York is $110,384.86 - $215,816.57. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

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The approximate pay range for Los Angeles Metro Area and Orange County, CA is $126,942.61 - $198,551.24. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

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The approximate pay range for the California San Francisco Bay Area is $137,981.08 - $215,816.57. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

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The approximate pay range for Minnesota is $115,904.11 - $181,285.92. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

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The approximate pay range for Illinois is $121,423.35 - $189,918.58. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

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The approximate nation wide pay range for this position is $110,384.86 - $215,816.57. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

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NOTICE TO THIRD-PARTY AGENCIES:

HNTB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies.  Any staffing/employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume to this site does so with the understanding that the applicant's resume will become the property of HNTB.  HNTB will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion and without any fee owed to the submitting staffing/employment agency, person or entity. Staffing/employment agencies who have fee agreements with HNTB must submit applicants to the designated HNTB recruiter to be eligible for placement fees.