Principal Environmental Designer
brobston groupSeattle (WA)
About the role
Summary:
The Principal Environmental Designer sets the creative direction and strategic vision for environmental design across Nordstrom stores. This role leads large-scale design initiatives, translating brand narratives and seasonal strategies into compelling customer experiences while ensuring alignment with business objectives.
Responsibilities:
Define and lead the creative vision for store concepts, scaled events, and brand activations.
Partner with senior teams across Visual Merchandising, Brand Creative, Marketing, and Store Operations to align design strategies with business goals.
Develop design systems, standards, and scalable solutions across physical and digital environments.
Mentor designers, present concepts to executive stakeholders, and evaluate high-impact proposals and executions.
Advance innovation in materials, sustainability, and production methods while partnering with engineers and project managers on feasibility, budgets, and delivery.
Requirements:
Bachelor\'s or master\'s degree in Environmental Design, Architecture, Industrial Design, or a related field.
At least 8 years of experience in retail design, visual merchandising, or experiential design, with a strong portfolio of large-scale work.
Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence senior stakeholders.
Strong knowledge of 3D spatial design, materials, fabrication methods, and retail environments.
Expertise in Adobe Creative Suite, SketchUp, CAD, and other 3D modeling or rendering tools.
Experience with sustainability practices and scalable design systems is a plus.
Before you apply
Applying takes about a minute. These four things decide how fast it moves after that.
Your profile is current
It's what we read first. Occupations, seniority and locations matter more than a long history.
Two examples you can talk through
Not a portfolio — just two pieces of work where you can explain the decisions and what you'd change.
A number in mind
What you're on now and what would make you move. We negotiate better when we know both.
Your notice period
Employers plan around it, and it's the question that stalls offers most often.
Once you apply, someone reads it and calls you before anything reaches the employer — usually within two working days.
More like this