Digital Design Specialists

Digital Practice Specialist II, Computational Design HKS, Inc United States, Virginia, Richmond Jan 28, 2026 Overview:

Performs advanced technical implementation to support, optimize, and troubleshoot digital design workflows for project teams and studios. Diagnoses complex models, workflows, and interoperability issues to improve efficiency and ensure consistent application of firmwide digital standards, templates, and processes. Contributes to piloting, evaluating, and refining new tools and digital solutions. In this computational design-focused role, develop an automation-oriented mindset by identifying smarter, more efficient approaches to project tasks and exploring advanced workflows for 3D modeling, digital fabrication, and performance analysis. Collaborates with project teams and Digital Practice Leadership to enhance interoperability between platforms and elevate how digital tools support design and delivery. Demonstrates continuous learning and contributes to evolving standards and best practices, building a foundation for growth into more advanced technical and solutions-focused roles. Responsibilities:

Project Serves as a primary technical support resource for multiple project teams or an entire studio, providing advanced troubleshooting, guidance, and workflow optimization

Leads model setup, structure, maintenance, and quality reviews for teams, resolving complex issues related to performance, data integrity, interoperability, and coordination workflows

Supports and monitors compliance with project BIM Execution Plans, digital standards, content requirements, and project information workflows

Facilitates coordination workflows such as clash detection, federated model assembly, data exchanges, and cross-disciplinary collaboration

Assists teams in implementing automation tools, scripts, templates, and digital solutions

Diagnoses and resolves interoperability challenges between design technologies, computational design, visualization, analysis, and project management platforms

Supports advanced tasks such as model audits, data validation, geometry cleanup, scripting adjustments, and template troubleshooting

Partners with Digital Practice Leaders to implement firmwide standards and solutions at the project level

Identifies recurring challenges, tool issues, or workflow gaps to Digital Practice Leadership and provides insights to refine or develop innovative solutions

Engages in project and studio meetings as the digital support representative, assessing project needs and proactively identifying opportunities to enhance workflows

Develops and documents project-specific workflows and solutions, contribute to practice guides, and tutorials, and share lessons learned to improve firmwide standards

Assists with onboarding new team members to digital workflows and tools, and provides informal training on digital tools and best practices as needed

Applies automation-oriented problem-solving approaches to reduce manual effort and improve workflow efficiency before relying on repetitive or brute-force methods

Collaborates with team members to explore and implement advanced digital workflows that improve control of 3D geometry, design modeling practices, and support digital fabrication, simulation, and analysis

Assists in the development, testing, and refining new toolsets and modeling techniques that improve interoperability between software platforms and support environmental simulation and performance analysis

Supports the use of computational design, scripting tools, and parametric modeling techniques as part of project delivery under the guidance of senior digital practice staff

Provides feedback and ideas to Digital Practice leadership on opportunities to enhance modeling techniques, workflow efficiency, and integration across digital tools Culture Supports the firm's values of quality, innovation, learning, and growth through proactive, service-oriented technical support

Acts as a mentor to team members by providing guidance, feedback, QA/QC, and direction on modeling and delivery methodologies

Help maintain a culture of technical excellence and digital curiosity within the studio or project team

Promote sustainable, responsible digital practices that reduce rework, improve performance, and support design intent Financial Understand the impact of technical efficiency on project budgets and schedules.

Work efficiently and prioritize tasks to meet expected utilization targets

Assist in identifying opportunities for efficiencies through improved digital workflows or process adjustments Qualifications:

Education and Experience Accredited professional degree in Architecture, Engineering, Construction, or related field; advanced degree preferred

Typically 3-5+ years of experience in the AEC industry, with direct exposure to digital workflows Licenses and Certifications Licensure or certification in chosen field preferred Technical Skills& Competencies Proven expertise in design technology, computational design, data analytics, and other emerging digital technologies relevant to architecture and design

Familiarity with data management, visualization, and collaboration platforms (e.g., Power BI, Speckle, Forge, Unreal Engine)

Proficiency in MS Office Suite preferred

Strong understanding of building systems, technical documentation, and construction processes

Experience collaborating with multi-disciplinary teams and manages change in a complex, global organization.

Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to remain professional when navigating challenges

Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills with the ability to engage both technical and non-technical audiences

Demonstrates a strong commitment to excellence, consistently delivering accurate, high-quality results

Ability to coordinate and manage multiple projects while supporting a distributed team

Ability to diagnose technical issues and apply solutions quickly in a fast-paced project environment.

Highly organized, detail-oriented, and capable of supporting multiple projects simultaneously

A learning mindset with curiosity and a desire to grow into deeper technical roles

Travel may be required If you currently work for HKS, please submit your application via the Internal Careers Portal. HKS is an EEO/AA Employer:

M/F/Disabled/Veteran