The Urban Design discipline within Arup's Cities Planning & Design Team shapes sustainable, people-focused environments across scales. Working from strategic vision to detailed design, the team collaborates across disciplines to deliver integrated, place-led solutions. Engaging in projects from regeneration to new settlements worldwide, Urban Designers help create distinctive, resilient and successful urban environments.
The Opportunity
Arup's London Masterplanning and Urban Design Team delivers an integrated approach and sustainable solutions to the design of cities and complex urban environments. We are a collaborative team of urban designers and architects working cross-disciplinarily with landscape architects, economists, planners, transport planners and sustainability experts. We work collaboratively with our clients to shape, justify, consent and deliver transformative projects.
Our Masterplanning and Urban Design Team design cities and places, influencing and shaping the physical, social, and economic infrastructures that underpin sustainable development. We are a diverse and experienced team of eighteen architects, masterplanners and urban designers committed to delivering meaningful places and more sustainable futures.
We are:
Design leaders: we lead masterplans and urban development projects
Integrators: we bring Arup and our partners technical expertise together to create maximum impact
Storytellers: we communicate compelling futures for our clients and communities
Local and global: we work internationally, creating place specific designs rooted in context
Big and small: we design from the scale of streets to neighbourhoods to city regions
We are looking for an Urban Designer to join our growing London team. Successful candidates will contribute to a diverse portfolio of UK and international projects, working alongside our passionate and highly skilled team, as well as the broader expertise of Arup and our partners. Our current work spans a range of scales and sectors, including strategic growth plans, masterplanning around infrastructure investment, and the regeneration of complex urban sites.
Is this role right for you?
You will have:
- An undergraduate degree in Urban Design, Architecture or Urban Planning with an achieved or predicted grade of 2:1 or above
- Excellent drawing and presentation skills, including 3D modelling and outstanding graphics
- A keen interest in large scale urban projects and be able to present your work in this context
- An awareness of the RIBA Work Stages and current UK Planning Policy
- Programming skills to aid our digital transformation initiatives are a plus
Technical Skills:
- Good CAD skills (AutoCAD) including 3D modelling (Rhinoceros)
- Outstanding graphic skills including hand drawings and diagrams, plans and images using in the Adobe Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign)
- Excellent spoken and written English
- Good familiarity with Microsoft Office Suite
- Additional skills in GIS, Grasshopper, Lumion, advanced visualisation or sustainability qualifications are desirable
We're looking for:
Changemakers: A passion for sustainable development and creating a better world is key.
Innovative minds: We're looking for critical thinkers who embrace new ideas and challenge the status quo.
Growth seekers: You have a growth mindset, always eager to learn and explore new ways of working.
Adaptable adventurers: You're ready to take on any challenge that comes your way.
You should be able to start this opportunity in September 2026.
Advert closing date: 26th June 2026
Portfolio
In order for your application to be considered for this role, please upload evidence of work, for example your sample portfolio or website link. The document must be in PDF format and no larger than 20MB. Please use image compression and vector drawings where possible to keep the file size down without sacrificing quality. To upload your sample portfolio please add it within the 'supporting documents' section of your application.
Please note, in the event of high applicant volume, this role may be closed ahead of the advertised closing date. Early application is recommended.
Location Preferences
While the role you applied for is based in the location specified in the job advert, we may have other opportunities that align with your profile. To help us assess this, please let us know which Arup office locations you would be interested in working in on your application form
Duplicate applications
Please note, candidates are permitted to submit only one application per recruitment cycle. We recommend reviewing all available opportunities and selecting the role and location(s) that best align with your skills and interests before applying.
Eligibility
Please note that we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role. Therefore, you must ensure that you are eligible to work permanently in the UK without our sponsorship.
