Crowd Modeling Associate at Thornton Tomasetti in Seattle, Washington

Job Description:

Thornton Tomasetti applies engineering and scientific principles to solve the world's challenges. An independent organization of creative thinkers and innovative doers collaborating from offices worldwide, our mission is to bring our clients' ideas to life and, in the process, lay the groundwork for a better, more resilient future. We provide support and opportunities to our employees to achieve their full potential and cultivate a rewarding career.


Our Protective Design practice helps architects, owners, developers, and public agencies worldwide achieve security objectives while upholding each project's aesthetic, functional and budgetary goals. A recognized leader in security services - with more than 60 years of experience - we collaborate with clients and project teams to develop physical, technical, and operational security solutions for facilities of every type, use, and size.


We're seeking an Associate to join our Crowd Dynamics team, contributing to medium- to large-scale projects across sectors like aviation, cultural, commercial, residential, healthcare, and security-focused facilities. Our team plays a critical role in building design, collaborating with architects to integrate crowd modeling, egress analysis, and protective design from early planning through final design. By combining advanced simulation techniques with expertise in security operations, we ensure seamless integration of occupant movement, life safety, and resilience.


Since crowd dynamics and protective design aren't traditional academic disciplines, professionals enter from various backgrounds. While expertise in all areas isn't required, candidates should have deep knowledge in an adjacent field-such as crowd modeling, pedestrian dynamics, agent-based simulation, traffic simulation, vertical transportation, egress modeling, or security consulting in the AEC industry-paired with a willingness to expand into protective design. For instance, an architect may understand egress requirements but need to develop expertise in queuing design and security screening.


Strong candidates will bring leadership experience, guiding junior staff, managing schedules, engaging with clients, delivering presentations, contributing to reports, and overseeing project execution. Design team experience, specialized expertise, and a commitment to continuous learning are key to success in this role.



Responsibilities

• Assist in the direction, coordination, planning, organization, integration, and execution of crowd modelling and protective design projects within the area of assigned responsibility.
  
  


• Engage directly with clients to understand project goals and develop customized crowd simulation strategies aligned with design intent, operational needs, and security requirements.
  
  


• Plan and formulate project and analysis plans and organize project staff according to project requirements.
  
  


• Direct project staff in the preparation of simulation outputs, technical reports, and design recommendations to inform key decision-making.
  
  


• Perform crowd modelling and protective design analysis work on all types of buildings using various building codes, best practices, and guidelines.
  
  


• Develop and maintain expertise in industry best practices, simulation tools, and emerging trends in crowd dynamics, urban mobility, and security design.
  
  

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture, Engineering, Human Factors, Computational Design, Computer Science, Security, or a related field. A master's degree is preferred.
  
  


• Strong technical background in crowd simulation, egress modelling, pedestrian dynamics, security design, or human behavior in the built environment.
  
  


• Experience with industry tools such as Bentley LEGION, buildingEXODUS, Pathfinder, or MassMotion is highly desirable.
  
  


• Knowledge of building codes, life safety standards (e.g., NFPA, IBC), and security planning principles is an asset.
  
  


• Demonstrated ability to lead a team of junior designers and analysts from project conception through completion.
  
  


• Demonstrated ability to work within interdisciplinary design teams, collaborating with architects, engineers, and security specialists.
  
  


• Strong communication skills, with the ability to present complex analysis results in a clear, compelling manner to clients and stakeholders.
  
  


• All candidates must be able to obtain a security clearance.
  (Applicant must be a citizen of the country of which they are applying to obtain a security clearance.)
  
  

Compensation

The rate for this position generally is$120,000-$170,000annually.This range is a good faith estimate provided pursuant to the Washington State Pay Transparency Law. It is based on what a successful Washington State applicant might be paid and assumes that the successful candidate will be in Washington State or perform the position from Washington State. Similar positions located outside of Washington State will not necessarily receive the same compensation.Actual pay rates may vary from the range, as permitted byWashingtonEqual Pay Transparency Law. Compensation offers will be based on various factors, including operational needs, individual education, qualifications and experience, work location and comparison to employee already in the role, as well as other considerations permitted by law. A potential new employee's pay history will not be used in compensation decisions.



Benefits


Depending on your employment status, benefits may include:

• Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, AD&D, Disability and other voluntary benefits
  
  


• Flexible Spending Accounts for Medical and Childcare
  
  


• Paid Time Off, Family Leave for New Parents, Volunteer Time
  
  


• Tuition Reimbursement
  
  


• Commuter Transit (where available)
  
  


• 401k retirement savings with Company matching on employee contributions and/or qualified student loan repayments
  
  


• Fitness Reimbursement
  
  


• And other various wellness, diversity/inclusion and employee resource programs and initiatives
  
  

Pursuant to the SanFrancisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.


Thornton Tomasetti is proud to be an equal employment workplace. Individuals seeking employment at Thornton Tomasetti are considered without regards to age, ancestry, color, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, genetic information, marital status, medical condition, mental or physical disability, national origin, protected family care or medical leave status, race, religion (including beliefs and practices or the absence thereof), sexual orientation, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.



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