Senior Landscape Architect

About Us

Dwyer DesignScapes is a full-service landscape design-build company based in Louisville, KY, specializing in some of the most notable landscapes, hardscapes, and outdoor living spaces in the region. We hold our team to a high standard while building a friendly, respectful working environment — and we're growing. This is a rare opportunity to step into a senior design role at a company investing seriously in its next chapter, with a clear path to greater ownership over the design-build practice as we expand.

The Role

We're looking for a Senior Landscape Architect / Project Manager with 5–10 years of residential design-build experience to take full ownership of projects from first client meeting through final walkthrough. This is a client-facing, high-trust role: you'll design the project, estimate and help sell it, coordinate the subcontractors and vendors who help build it, and stay involved through completion to make sure the client's experience is seamless start to finish. You'll also mentor and develop junior designers as our team grows.

We're not looking for someone to just fill a seat. We're looking for someone who wants to grow with the practice — with a real, discussed path toward Project Manager or Design-Build Practice Lead as we take on more work.

What You'll Do

• Own residential design-build projects end-to-end: site analysis, conceptual design, schematic design, design development, and construction documentation
• Meet directly with clients to translate their goals into functional, compelling landscape designs
• Prepare accurate estimates, proposals, and presentations, and help close design-build sales
• Produce precise, consistent construction drawings and detailing using CAD/DynaScape or equivalent software
• Coordinate and oversee subcontractors and vendors during installation to ensure work meets design intent and quality standards
• Stay engaged through construction and final walkthrough so the client has a seamless experience from first meeting to completed project
• Mentor and train junior designers, sharing plant knowledge, technical skills, and client-facing judgment
• Stay current on plant materials, hardscape trends, and installation methods relevant to Kentucky's climate and growing conditions

Qualifications

• Active Landscape Architect license (PLA) — Kentucky license preferred; a current license in another state is welcome, since Kentucky offers reciprocal licensure
• 5–10 years of professional residential design-build experience
• Strong design background with deep plant knowledge and attention to detail
• Familiarity with Kentucky's climate, growing zones, native and adapted plant material, and seasonal weather patterns
• Proficiency with DynaScape or similar CAD software
• Estimating and proposal-writing experience — comfortable being part of the sales process, not just the design process
• Experience coordinating subcontractors and vendors on installation projects
• Comfortable owning a project from first client meeting through completion
• Project management, time management, and leadership skills
• Effective communication, listening, and presentation skills
• Honest, dependable, self-motivated, and eager to work in a fast-paced, collaborative setting
• Valid driver's license
• Must live in or near Louisville, KY, or be willing to relocate

Education: Bachelor's degree in Landscape Architecture or equivalent experience in residential landscape design and build.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $85,000–$100,000 per year, commensurate with experience and licensure status
• $5,000 sign-on bonus
• Performance bonuses
• Health insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• We cover your Kentucky PLA reciprocity/licensing fees and continuing education hours, plus ASLA/KALA professional dues

Experience

• Landscape design: 5+ years (preferred)

License/Certification

• Active Landscape Architect license (required); Kentucky reciprocity supported
• Driver's license (required)

Work Location: In person — Louisville, KY