Populous
We design the places where people love to be together — and we can’t do it without you.
Populous is all about people — it’s in our name. Attracting and retaining talented people who are passionate about their work is what makes us thrive. As a global firm, we have established roots in cities across the world, uncovering the very best local talent. The diversity of our team is our greatest strength and one of the most powerful sources of our creativity. We believe in supporting each other, coming together as a team to make sure everyone is fulfilled professionally, creatively, and personally.
Why Work With Us Culture Populous is built around the core values of integrity, entrepreneurial creativity, excellence and enjoyment. There are many milestones and celebrations along the way — yours and ours — and we share in these special moments together. We also reach beyond our offices to help make our local communities stronger, from engaging with university students and taking part in urban clean‑up projects, to partnering with sports charities and promoting sustainable design.
Understanding people is what Populous is all about — and that begins with the people in our team. That’s why we have designed a comprehensive benefits program to support your employee experience at Populous and your life outside of work, including flexible work environments. From CrossFit in London, to the Noosa Triathlon in Australia to mental health check‑ins in the Americas, we have all kinds of initiatives to help you keep mind and body in top condition.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging With more than 1,600 colleagues in 33 offices spanning four continents, we value the incredible range of talents, beliefs, experiences and perspectives of every person that makes up our team. You bring your authentic self and we’ll set the stage for you to succeed.
Professional Development Populous is a team of people that are emotionally connected to their work. We wouldn’t have it any other way. From mentor programs and cross‑disciplinary design charettes to global conferences, you will have a wealth of opportunities to innovate and learn, shaping your career to meet your personal goals.
Our commitment to innovative design has earned us the top spot in architecture on Fast Company’s list of the world’s 50 most innovative companies.
“We are a team of fans, dreamers, thinkers and doers. We come together to amplify the magic of fandom and break barriers for the future of sports and entertainment.”
What happens when you provoke designers to bring to life a digital footprint? Tapping the Power of a Global Knowledge Network We design places where people love to be together. Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus: to draw people together around the things they love, through experiences that capture all the senses, amplifying the atmosphere of excitement and pure joy shared in human moments. We’ve designed and delivered some of the world's most memorable civic, sports and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadia to ground‑breaking live music venues. Populous is where architects and designers of all kinds create moments bigger than ourselves. We offer the best of both worlds: the resources and impact of the design giants and the tightly knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms.
What We Offer:
Professional & Personal Development Programs + Summer Hours + Hybrid Schedule + Paid Architect Licensure & Certifications Exams + Wedding Pay + Charitable Match Program + Market Leading Wellness Health and Welfare Benefits.
Who We Are Looking For:
Are you a skilled researcher with proven experience in successful wayfinding strategy?
The Wayfinding Strategist will lead the development of navigation strategies that transform spatial data and user insights into actionable design direction for large‑scale venues and public event projects.
Our preferred candidate has 5+ years in Urban Design, Wayfinding Design or Planning and proven experience analyzing complex environments and developing naming, coding, and circulation strategies.
Applicants without demonstrated experience in wayfinding will not be eligible for consideration.
What Your Day Could Consist Of:
Conducting research and developing wayfinding strategies for select high‑profile venues, grounded in user behavior, spatial analysis, and intuitive navigation principles.
Creating comprehensive reports that analyze movement patterns, decision points, and circulation challenges to inform design direction.
Developing spatial strategies, sign location plans, wayfinding messaging, construction document models, and documentation packages.
Defining and documenting naming systems, coding logic, and environmental design strategies.
Collaborating closely with design teams, architects, and clients to translate strategic findings into actionable design outcomes.
Occasionally attending site visits to observe user behavior, validate assumptions, and ensure built work aligns with strategy and intent.
Requirements For Success:
Deep understanding of wayfinding planning and strategy, including user journeys, spatial cognition, and environmental psychology.
Ability to guide teammates in alignment with plans for overall accuracy and ensure strategy follow‑through.
Demonstrated proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat), SketchUp, Microsoft Office Suite, and presentation tools such as PowerPoint or Keynote.
Experienced in planning and willing to work in BIM 360/Revit to further understand projects.
Working knowledge of signage design principles, message hierarchy, ADA accessibility standards, and fabrication awareness.
Knowledge of human‑centered design frameworks, attitudinal and behavioral research methods, and data‑driven decision‑making.
Skilled communicator able to synthesize complex information and present clearly to clients, consultants and internal teams.
Familiar with crowd modeling, pedestrian flow analysis, or operational planning tools.
Highly self‑motivated, proactive, detail‑oriented, collaborative, and adaptable in order to manage multiple moving parts and coordinate across diverse project teams.
Essential Qualifications:
5+ years of experience in Urban Design, Wayfinding Design or Planning.
An accredited bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Architecture, Urban Design, UX, Graphic Design, Visual Communications or related field.
Proven experience analyzing complex environments and developing naming, coding, and circulation strategies that improve clarity and orientation.
Travel will be required (less than 10%).
Populous offers a competitive salary and bonus packages. We strive to offer our staff the best benefits package in the industry, at the lowest cost to employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k, FSA/HSA, paid time off and continuing education benefits. Populous is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
No. 1 Most Innovative Company in Architecture by Fast Company
No. 1 Firm in Cultural on Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Cultural Facilities by BD+C
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Convention Centers by BD+C
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Performing Arts and Concert Venues by BD+C
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Why Work With Us Culture Populous is built around the core values of integrity, entrepreneurial creativity, excellence and enjoyment. There are many milestones and celebrations along the way — yours and ours — and we share in these special moments together. We also reach beyond our offices to help make our local communities stronger, from engaging with university students and taking part in urban clean‑up projects, to partnering with sports charities and promoting sustainable design.
Understanding people is what Populous is all about — and that begins with the people in our team. That’s why we have designed a comprehensive benefits program to support your employee experience at Populous and your life outside of work, including flexible work environments. From CrossFit in London, to the Noosa Triathlon in Australia to mental health check‑ins in the Americas, we have all kinds of initiatives to help you keep mind and body in top condition.
Diversity, Equity, Inclusion + Belonging With more than 1,600 colleagues in 33 offices spanning four continents, we value the incredible range of talents, beliefs, experiences and perspectives of every person that makes up our team. You bring your authentic self and we’ll set the stage for you to succeed.
Professional Development Populous is a team of people that are emotionally connected to their work. We wouldn’t have it any other way. From mentor programs and cross‑disciplinary design charettes to global conferences, you will have a wealth of opportunities to innovate and learn, shaping your career to meet your personal goals.
Our commitment to innovative design has earned us the top spot in architecture on Fast Company’s list of the world’s 50 most innovative companies.
“We are a team of fans, dreamers, thinkers and doers. We come together to amplify the magic of fandom and break barriers for the future of sports and entertainment.”
What happens when you provoke designers to bring to life a digital footprint? Tapping the Power of a Global Knowledge Network We design places where people love to be together. Populous is a global design firm that began with a singular focus: to draw people together around the things they love, through experiences that capture all the senses, amplifying the atmosphere of excitement and pure joy shared in human moments. We’ve designed and delivered some of the world's most memorable civic, sports and entertainment buildings, from iconic stadia to ground‑breaking live music venues. Populous is where architects and designers of all kinds create moments bigger than ourselves. We offer the best of both worlds: the resources and impact of the design giants and the tightly knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms.
What We Offer:
Professional & Personal Development Programs + Summer Hours + Hybrid Schedule + Paid Architect Licensure & Certifications Exams + Wedding Pay + Charitable Match Program + Market Leading Wellness Health and Welfare Benefits.
Who We Are Looking For:
Are you a skilled researcher with proven experience in successful wayfinding strategy?
The Wayfinding Strategist will lead the development of navigation strategies that transform spatial data and user insights into actionable design direction for large‑scale venues and public event projects.
Our preferred candidate has 5+ years in Urban Design, Wayfinding Design or Planning and proven experience analyzing complex environments and developing naming, coding, and circulation strategies.
Applicants without demonstrated experience in wayfinding will not be eligible for consideration.
What Your Day Could Consist Of:
Conducting research and developing wayfinding strategies for select high‑profile venues, grounded in user behavior, spatial analysis, and intuitive navigation principles.
Creating comprehensive reports that analyze movement patterns, decision points, and circulation challenges to inform design direction.
Developing spatial strategies, sign location plans, wayfinding messaging, construction document models, and documentation packages.
Defining and documenting naming systems, coding logic, and environmental design strategies.
Collaborating closely with design teams, architects, and clients to translate strategic findings into actionable design outcomes.
Occasionally attending site visits to observe user behavior, validate assumptions, and ensure built work aligns with strategy and intent.
Requirements For Success:
Deep understanding of wayfinding planning and strategy, including user journeys, spatial cognition, and environmental psychology.
Ability to guide teammates in alignment with plans for overall accuracy and ensure strategy follow‑through.
Demonstrated proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Illustrator, Acrobat), SketchUp, Microsoft Office Suite, and presentation tools such as PowerPoint or Keynote.
Experienced in planning and willing to work in BIM 360/Revit to further understand projects.
Working knowledge of signage design principles, message hierarchy, ADA accessibility standards, and fabrication awareness.
Knowledge of human‑centered design frameworks, attitudinal and behavioral research methods, and data‑driven decision‑making.
Skilled communicator able to synthesize complex information and present clearly to clients, consultants and internal teams.
Familiar with crowd modeling, pedestrian flow analysis, or operational planning tools.
Highly self‑motivated, proactive, detail‑oriented, collaborative, and adaptable in order to manage multiple moving parts and coordinate across diverse project teams.
Essential Qualifications:
5+ years of experience in Urban Design, Wayfinding Design or Planning.
An accredited bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) in Architecture, Urban Design, UX, Graphic Design, Visual Communications or related field.
Proven experience analyzing complex environments and developing naming, coding, and circulation strategies that improve clarity and orientation.
Travel will be required (less than 10%).
Populous offers a competitive salary and bonus packages. We strive to offer our staff the best benefits package in the industry, at the lowest cost to employees, including medical, dental and vision coverage, 401k, FSA/HSA, paid time off and continuing education benefits. Populous is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, age, genetic information, sexual orientation, veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local laws.
No. 1 Most Innovative Company in Architecture by Fast Company
No. 1 Firm in Cultural on Interior Design magazine’s Top 100 Giants
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Cultural Facilities by BD+C
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Convention Centers by BD+C
No. 1 Architecture Firm in Performing Arts and Concert Venues by BD+C
#J-18808-Ljbffr