Job Information
Actalent Landscape Architect in Ashburn, Virginia
Job Title: Senior Landscape ArchitectJob Description
This Senior Landscape Architect role offers the opportunity to build and lead a new landscape architecture and planning department in a growing Ashburn, VA office. You will guide a wide range of residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use land planning and design projects while shaping department standards, mentoring team members, and collaborating closely with a youthful, energetic, and highly flexible office. The position combines hands-on design and planning with client-facing responsibilities, business development, and team leadership in a culture that values responsiveness, honesty, grit, and work-life balance.
Responsibilities
Lead the development and growth of the landscape architecture and planning department in the Ashburn, VA office, establishing processes, standards, and best practices.
Plan and design residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use land development projects from concept through implementation.
Prepare and oversee comprehensive planning and master development plans for a variety of project types and scales.
Develop conceptual design layouts, site layouts, and site plans that respond to zoning, land use, and client objectives.
Conduct feasibility studies and entitlement analyses to determine project viability and constraints.
Manage rezoning and entitlement efforts, including preparation of supporting documentation and coordination with review agencies.
Prepare and contribute to community impact analysis and assessment reports that address planning, infrastructure, and community concerns.
Develop and review development programming and proffer statements as part of entitlement and rezoning processes.
Support or contribute to code and ordinance development and interpretation as it relates to land planning and landscape design.
Participate in local and regional comprehensive policy planning and ordinance development efforts as needed.
Plan and design rural subdivisions, including roadway layouts, lot configurations, and open space networks.
Lead landscape planning and design efforts, including streetscapes, hardscapes, planting design, and site amenities.
Prepare and manage conditional and special use permitting applications, variances, exceptions, and appeals.
Perform site analysis and develop schematic designs that respond to environmental, regulatory, and client requirements.
Collaborate with civil engineers and other disciplines on site development, stormwater management design, site grading, and overall site engineering considerations.
Use AutoCAD (and preferably Civil 3D) to produce accurate, constructible site and landscape plans.
Create high-quality visual presentations and graphics using Adobe Creative Suite and other visualization tools.
Engage directly with clients in a business development and client-facing capacity, including attending meetings, presenting concepts, and nurturing relationships.
Lead and manage your own project team, providing direction, mentorship, and quality control across multiple concurrent projects.
Coordinate project schedules, set weekly deliverables, and ensure tasks and deadlines are met reliably and efficiently.
Communicate proactively and transparently with internal teams and external stakeholders, maintaining a service-oriented and responsive approach.
Contribute to and model a culture of honesty, accountability, and a "get it done" mentality while supporting work-life balance and healthy, active lifestyles.
Handle multiple tasks and multiple projects simultaneously, prioritizing effectively in a fast-paced, team-focused environment.
Essential Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Landscape Architecture or a closely related discipline.
5–10+ years of professional landscape architecture and planning experience.
Proven experience delivering residential, commercial, industrial, and mixed-use land planning and design projects.
Strong proficiency in AutoCAD for site and landscape design; experience with Civil 3D is a plus.
Demonstrated experience in site development and site design, including site layout and site planning.
Experience with stormwater management design in coordination with site development.
Proficiency with Adobe Creative Suite, including Adobe Photoshop, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe InDesign, for plans, graphics, and presentations.
Experience in land use planning, zoning, and land use design, including entitlement processes and feasibility studies.
Ability to lead and manage a team, including mentoring staff and overseeing multiple projects at once.
Experience in client-facing roles and business development within landscape architecture or land planning.
Strong concept design skills for landscapes, streetscapes, and hardscapes.
Ability to manage entitlement processes, including rezoning, conditional/special use permitting, variances, exceptions, and appeals.
Strong written and verbal communication skills, with an emphasis on responsiveness, honesty, and clarity.
Demonstrated ability to work independently while collaborating effectively within a team-focused environment.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Landscape Architect license preferred.
Experience with AutoCAD Civil 3D is highly desirable.
Experience with SketchUp and/or Lumion for 3D modeling and visualization.
Background in comprehensive planning, master development planning, and community impact analysis is beneficial.
Familiarity with code and ordinance development and local and regional policy planning is an advantage.
Experience in rural subdivision planning and design is a plus.
Ability to manage development programming and proffer statements as part of entitlement processes.
Versatility and comfort handling multiple tasks and multiple projects simultaneously.
Demonstrated grit and a "get it done" mentality while maintaining high-quality work.
Alignment with a culture that values responsiveness, service orientation, honesty, open communication, and work-life balance.
Interest in promoting healthy, active lifestyles within the workplace culture.
Work Environment
The work environment is open, laid back, and highly collaborative, with a youthful and energetic team based in Ashburn, VA. The office culture emphasizes teamwork, flexibility, and a shared vision, creating a setting where people genuinely enjoy being in the office. The schedule is flexible, allowing employees to create their own working hours as long as they communicate effectively, remain dependable, meet weekly deliverables, and hit project deadlines. The team operates as a meritocracy, where promotions and advancement are based on performance and contribution rather than tenure. The environment encourages honest communication, a practical and "keeping it real" attitude, and a strong focus on responsiveness and service. The role involves daily use of design and technical tools such as AutoCAD (and Civil 3D as applicable), Adobe Creative Suite, and visualization software like SketchUp and Lumion. The company offers a very competitive benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, 401(k) with employer match, retirement plans, paid time off, life insurance, and professional development assistance. The culture supports work-life balance and promotes healthy, active lifestyles, fostering long-term professional and personal relationships within the office.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Ashburn, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $90000.00 - $150000.00/yr.
-7 Paid Holidays -3 Liberal Leave Days -Paid Time Off (PTO) 120 hours -401k 6% match -Short Term Disability -Medical Insurance Coverage -Dental Insurance Coverage -Vision Insurance Coverage -Life Insurance -All State (Supplemental) Accident & Cancer Coverage
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Ashburn,VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on May 1, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.