Senior Architect

Who We Are

Populous is a global design firm dedicated to creating places where people love to be together. Our singular focus is 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 have designed and delivered some of the world's most memorable civic, sports, and entertainment buildings, ranging from iconic stadia to groundbreaking live music venues.

At Populous, architects and designers of all kinds come together to create moments bigger than ourselves. We offer the best of both worlds: the resources and impact of design giants combined with the tightly knit atmosphere and growth opportunities of smaller firms. Recognized as the No. 1 Most Innovative Company in Architecture by Fast Company and the No. 1 Architecture Firm in Cultural Facilities, Convention Centers, and Performing Arts venues by BD+C, we strive to lead the industry in innovation and design excellence.

About the Role

As a Senior Architect in Kansas City, you will join a dynamic global design environment with a diverse range of public assembly building types, including sports venues, convention centers, and transportation facilities. This role is designed for a leader who thrives in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment and possesses a passion for inventive design thinking and collaborative problem-solving.

Your day will involve leading the conceptualization and development of design solutions that meet complex project programmatic requirements. You will provide technical leadership, contributing to detailed project documentation and refining design concepts during schematic and design development stages. A key part of your contribution will be utilizing a diverse skill set across multiple media platforms—including illustration, computer-generated renderings, animations, and motion graphics—to effectively communicate visual narratives.

You will engage directly with clients, communities, and public agencies, preparing and delivering design presentations and collaborating on project management throughout the design development and construction administration phases. Your expertise will ensure that design intent is maintained and project goals are achieved while supporting the construction administration process alongside Project Managers.

Our Culture & Benefits

We are committed to the professional and personal development of our staff. Populous offers a competitive salary and bonus packages, along with a market-leading benefits package that includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401k, FSA/HSA, and paid time off. We also provide paid time off for continuing education, paid licensure and certification exams, and a charitable match program.

Our team enjoys unique perks such as summer hours, wedding pay, and access to an on-site gym in our Dallas and Kansas City offices. We foster a hybrid work schedule to support work-life balance while maintaining the collaborative spirit essential to our design process.

Hiring Process

Candidates for this role should be prepared for travel as required by project needs. We look for professionals with a professional degree in Architecture from an accredited program, a current registered architect license, and over 15 years of professional experience. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional communication skills, strong sketching abilities, and proficiency in creative design tools.

Equal Opportunity Employer

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.