Project Architect

Job Title: Project Architect / Project Manager Job Description
We are seeking an experienced Project Architect / Project Manager to lead the design, coordination, and delivery of architectural projects from initial concept through construction completion. This role is ideal for a licensed architect who thrives in a leadership position, balancing design excellence with technical rigor, team coordination, and client management. As the backbone of the project team, the Project Architect / Project Manager ensures that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to the highest standards of quality, while contributing meaningfully to the built environment and the local community.
Responsibilities
- Lead architectural projects through all phases of design, including conceptual design, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and construction administration.
- Collaborate closely with internal design teams to produce thoughtful, high-quality design solutions that align with project goals and client expectations.
- Guide iterative design workflows from early concept development through refined, presentation-ready deliverables.
- Oversee architectural documentation, BIM coordination, and drawing production for multiple projects concurrently, ensuring consistency and accuracy.
- Ensure alignment with internal quality assurance and quality control standards, as well as office best practices, across all project deliverables.
- Lead zoning and building code analysis and ensure compliance with applicable regulations, including preparation of permit submissions and responses to plan review comments.
- Coordinate multidisciplinary consultant teams, including structural, MEP, civil, and specialty consultants, to achieve integrated and well-coordinated project solutions.
- Manage technical detailing, material assemblies, and integration across disciplines to support constructible and durable design outcomes.
- Oversee production schedules, milestone deliverables, and change orders to maintain project timelines and scope.
- Serve as a primary client contact, managing communication, expectations, and deliverables throughout the life of each project.
- Participate in proposal development, fee planning, and staffing strategies to support new and ongoing project opportunities.
- Lead construction administration efforts, including site visits, review of submittals and RFIs, and coordination with contractors to resolve field issues.
- Mentor and guide junior staff, fostering professional development, knowledge sharing, and a collaborative team culture.
- Contribute to the evolution of office standards, workflows, and operational procedures to improve efficiency and design quality.
- Engage in ongoing professional development and continuing education to stay current with industry best practices, technologies, and sustainable design strategies.
Essential Skills
- Licensed Architect, with current professional registration required.
- Accredited professional degree in Architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch).
- Approximately 8+ years of professional experience, with a strong background in multi-family and/or mixed-use projects.
- Proven experience leading multiple projects through all phases of design, including construction administration.
- Strong project management skills, including scheduling, coordination, and oversight of deliverables.
- Demonstrated architectural design skills across conceptual, schematic, and design development phases.
- Extensive experience with construction documentation and construction administration processes.
- Proficiency in Revit and related design, modeling, and documentation software.
- Ability to manage BIM workflows and coordinate models across disciplines.
- Strong design sensibility paired with excellent technical and organizational skills.
- Ability to lead collaborative, multidisciplinary teams in a fast-paced, design-driven environment.
- Client-facing communication skills with the ability to manage expectations and maintain positive relationships.
- Experience with zoning analysis, zoning permits, and building code compliance.
- Experience with quality assurance and quality control processes for architectural documentation.
- Ability to manage and process change orders during design and construction phases.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Proficiency in SketchUp for design visualization and modeling.
- Experience using Bluebeam or similar tools for drawing review and markups.
- background in multi-family and mixed-use project types, including at least 5+ projects in the multifamily sector.
- Experience coordinating structural, MEP, civil, and specialty consultants within complex projects.
- Strong construction administration experience, including site visits, submittal review, and RFI coordination.
- Ability to contribute to and refine office standards, workflows, and operational procedures.
- Commitment to sustainable design principles and creating meaningful projects within the local community.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor junior staff and support their professional growth.
- Organized, detail-oriented approach with the ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
- Comfort working in a design-focused environment that values diversity, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
Work Environment
This role is based in an office environment that emphasizes a strong, collaborative company culture and a focus on sustainable, community-centered design. The team works primarily on-site, with flexibility to work from home when needed to support family life, though a formal hybrid schedule is not offered. You will work closely with design and technical staff, using tools such as Revit, BIM platforms, SketchUp, and Bluebeam within a fast-paced, design-driven setting. The environment supports professional development, values diversity of perspectives, and encourages open communication and teamwork to deliver meaningful projects in the local community.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Washington, DC.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $38.15 - $57.69/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:

Medical, dental & vision
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
Short and long-term disability
Health Spending Account (HSA)
Transportation benefits
Employee Assistance Program
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Washington, DC.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 6, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Washington,DC. About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without
regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,
sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected
by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or
adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,
please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the
city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants
with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a
condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law
shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,
including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications
and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you
acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.