Planner

This position is 100% onsite at our Orange, CA office.

We are seeking an experienced Intermediate Urban Planner to join our growing Planning Team. This role requires a strong understanding of overall planning strategy and project vision and will support entitlement and planning efforts across a diverse portfolio of residential and mixed-use developments.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years of professional experience and a solid foundation in residential planning principles, site design, land use analysis, and entitlement processes. Experience across a range of housing types—from low-density communities to high-density multifamily and podium developments—is highly desirable.

This is an exciting opportunity to collaborate with planners, architects, designers, and development teams to help shape communities from early visioning through planning approvals.

Key Responsibilities

Prepare site plans and conceptual planning studies for residential and mixed-use developments

Support projects ranging from low-density neighborhoods to high-density multifamily and podium developments

Assist in master planning, land planning, and neighborhood design initiatives

Conduct zoning analyses, General Plan reviews, and development standards research

Perform entitlement due diligence and land use evaluations

Develop site layouts, planning diagrams, density studies, yield analyses, and exhibits

Coordinate across internal architecture, landscape architecture, and design teams

Support preparation of planning submittals, presentations, and public hearing materials

Contribute to planning reports, design narratives, and project visioning materials

Research planning trends, housing typologies, and urban development strategies

Support project teams from early concept through entitlement approvals

Qualifications

Required

Bachelor’s degree in Urban Planning, Landscape Architecture, Architecture, Urban Design, or a related field

3–5 years of relevant professional experience

Experience with residential planning projects, including multifamily housing

Strong understanding of zoning ordinances, entitlement processes, and land development principles

Demonstrated site planning and graphic communication skills

Proficiency in SketchUp, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite (Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign), and Microsoft Office

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a collaborative, team-oriented environment

Strong verbal, written, and presentation skills

Why AO?

Our culture is built on collaboration, trust, and the belief that great work happens when people are supported and challenged in equal measure. You’ll find a team that values:

Strong relationships, with clients and each other

A roll-up-your-sleeves mentality

Continuous learning and professional growth

Thoughtful design paired with technical rigor

At AO, you will work alongside colleagues who care deeply about what they do and are committed to building something meaningful together.

Benefits

We offer competitive compensation and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support our team. Highlights include:

Medical, dental, life, and supplemental insurance

Most medical plans fully paid for employee-only coverage

Company-paid basic life insurance and long-term disability

Retirement plan, health savings, and flexible spending accounts

Paid vacation, holidays, and sick time

Free parking and convenient transit access

Employee discount program (OC location)