Architectural Designer

Job Title: Architectural Designer Job Description
This Architectural Designer role offers the opportunity to work across two highly collaborative teams, one focused on mixed-use and corporate spaces and the other on commercial interiors, base building, and ground-up projects. You will contribute throughout the full project lifecycle, with approximately 60% of your time dedicated to production and design, 20% to client interactions, and 20% to construction administration. This position is ideal for a designer who wants hands-on experience, close mentorship, and exposure to a wide variety of project types without being limited to a single phase or discipline.
Responsibilities
- Participate in all phases of architectural projects, from schematic design through construction administration, ensuring design intent and quality are maintained.
- Produce detailed construction document (CD) sets, including plans, elevations, sections, and details for commercial and mixed-use projects.
- Support the design of mixed-use, corporate, commercial interior, base building, ground-up, and related project types such as office space, multifamily, hospitality, and wellness-focused environments.
- Develop design concepts and carry them through design development, ensuring alignment with project goals, budgets, and schedules.
- Prepare and refine schematic design and design development drawings using AutoCAD and Revit, contributing to clear, buildable construction drawings.
- Perform space planning for commercial and corporate environments, optimizing layouts for function, aesthetics, and code compliance.
- Assist with construction administration activities, including reviewing submittals, responding to RFIs, and coordinating with contractors to resolve field issues.
- Participate in client meetings and presentations, clearly communicating design concepts and project updates.
- Collaborate closely with team members and firm leadership to coordinate architectural solutions with other disciplines and stakeholders.
- Apply a basic understanding of building codes and ADA requirements to ensure designs meet applicable regulations.
- Support base building and core-and-shell design efforts, coordinating with consultants and project partners as needed.
- Contribute to project documentation standards and help maintain consistency and quality across drawing sets.
- Manage time effectively across multiple projects, balancing production, client interaction, and construction administration responsibilities.
Essential Skills
- 25 years of professional experience in architecture or closely related fields.
- Experience working on commercial projects such as office space, multifamily, hospitality, and wellness-focused environments.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD for the production of construction documents and design drawings.
- Ability to use Revit for design, documentation, and coordination tasks.
- Demonstrated experience producing complete construction document (CD) sets, including base building and interior scopes.
- Hands-on experience with design development, schematic design, and construction drawings.
- Experience with construction administration tasks, including coordination with contractors and responding to field questions.
- Competence in space planning for commercial and corporate interior projects.
- Basic understanding of building codes and ADA requirements and the ability to apply them to project work.
- Strong client-facing communication skills and a professional, approachable demeanor.
- Ability to collaborate effectively within a small team environment and work closely with firm leadership.
- Bachelor of Science in Architecture preferred; a Bachelor of Science in Interior Design will also be considered.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Interest in working across a broad range of project types, including mixed-use, corporate, commercial interiors, base building, and ground-up developments.
- Motivation to see projects through all phases, from concept to completion, and to develop a well-rounded architectural skill set.
- Ability to adapt to varying project needs and shift between design, documentation, client interaction, and construction administration.
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in both design and technical documentation.
- Willingness to learn from close collaboration with firm leadership and to take on increasing responsibility over time.
Work Environment
The role is based in a small, approximately seven-person office located in Sterling, VA, offering a close-knit, collaborative studio atmosphere. Team members work closely with the firms leadership, providing direct mentorship and regular feedback. One team operates fully remotely, and while you will initially spend time in the office to get oriented and integrated into workflows, there is significant flexibility regarding work location once you are established. The environment encourages broad project exposure, allowing you to work on multiple building types and project phases rather than being limited to a single niche. Typical tools include AutoCAD and Revit for design and documentation, along with standard office and communication software to support coordination with clients, consultants, and contractors. The culture emphasizes professional growth, variety in project work, and the opportunity to follow projects from early design through construction.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Sterling, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $29.00 - $39.00/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 position based out of Sterling, VA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Nov 10, 2026.
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Sterling,VA. 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.