Introduction to SWA/Balsley:
Join our team at SWA/Balsley to develop and strengthen your emerging design & technical expertise working on high profile, award-winning projects in NYC, the US, and abroad. Our studio environment offers interns an opportunity to interact directly with principals and a team of talented, experienced designers at SWA/Balsley and SWA Group. We are located in the NoMad neighborhood of New York City.
About the position:
We are offering full-time paid fall internship positions from the beginning of January to the end of June 2027 to current students with outstanding design sensibilities and exemplary graphic, written, and verbal communication abilities. Candidates should demonstrate expertise in digital graphics and/or technical documentation.
In this role, you will collaborate with staff designers and firm leaders including principals. This is a unique opportunity to help shape a new dynamic studio, develop a robust portfolio of built work of the highest design caliber, and engage with various other studios of SWA – the largest design-centric landscape architecture firm in the US.
This role includes:
- Supporting the design team on projects in various phases of design, from concept through construction documentation. Tasks will include 3D modeling and rendering for presentations and competitions and preparation of construction drawings/documents.
- Collaborating with designers and studio leaders, including principals.
- Working on high-profile projects in the US, Middle East, Asia, and Europe.
- Assisting with marketing and general office tasks.
- Grow with a new firm with a national design reputation.
- SWA/Balsley places equal design value on all phases and facets of work.
- Extraordinary growth potential within SWA/Balsley and the affiliate SWA Group.
- Opportunities to cross-fertilize with SWA’s eight other studios across the U.S. and abroad.
Why SWA/Balsley?
Minimum Requirements:
- Current student in an accredited Bachelors or Masters Degree in Landscape Architecture
- Strong problem solving, critical thinking, and analytical skills
- Attention to detail and organization
- Strong communication skills (written and verbal)
- Effective time management skills
- Positive attitude and sense of accountability
- Proficiency in:
- AutoCAD 2014+
- Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, InDesign, Photoshop, esp.)
- Microsoft Office
- 3D modeling (Rhino preferred)
- Lumion/D5
Preferred Qualifications:
- Revit
- Grasshopper
- ArcMap/ ArcGIS
- Hand sketching
Apply:
- Portfolio (PDF, 18MB max.)
- Resume/CV (Word or PDF)
- Contact info for 2-3 references
- Cover letter
Interested applicants should submit application materials via SWA/Balsley Careers Page or email your materials directly to Amanda Ton (aton@swabalsley. com) by October 15, 2026. We will carefully consider your application during our initial screening and will contact you if you are selected for an interview.
Skills Required
- Current student enrolled in an accredited Bachelor's or Master's degree program in Landscape Architecture
- Strong problem-solving, critical-thinking, and analytical skills
- Attention to detail and organization
- Strong written and verbal communication skills
- Effective time-management skills
- Positive attitude and sense of accountability
- Proficiency in AutoCAD 2014 or later
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite, especially Illustrator, InDesign, and Photoshop
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- 3D modeling proficiency, preferably Rhino
- Lumion or D5 proficiency
- Revit experience
- Grasshopper experience
- ArcMap or ArcGIS experience
- Hand-sketching skills
What We Do
SWA Group is a world-renowned, employee-owned landscape architecture, urban design, and planning firm celebrated for its creativity and design excellence in creating vibrant, resilient, and livable places.
