Architect for Commercial Buildings 7-12 yrs experience

Is Hickok Cole What’s Next for you?
We're a forward-focused design practice connecting bold ideas, diverse expertise, and visionary partners to create places that matter. Our work spans commercial office building repositioning, multifamily residential, workplace, mixed-use, hospitality, and community-focused environments that shape how people live, work, and connect.

Our Washington DC office, located in the heart of the Union Market neighborhood, combines the energy of a growing design community with the resources, project opportunities, and expertise of a nationally recognized practice.
 
We are seeking an Architect with 7-12 years of experience in commercial building and interior design who is ready to take a meaningful role in shaping projects, building client relationships, mentoring emerging talent, and contributing to the continued growth of our studio.
 
This is a hybrid position based in Washington, DC , requiring at least three days per week in our studio.
 
What You'll Do
As a key member of our design team, you'll contribute across all phases of project delivery, balancing design leadership, technical expertise, client engagement, and team mentorship.
- Support the Commercial Office design team
- Conceptualize building design in many forms, from a trophy class base building, to a full building reskin, to amenitizations and interior renovations.  
- Develop and advance project design concepts from visioning through construction
- Lead space planning, material selections, finish palettes, FF&E development, and design documentation
- Present design concepts and project solutions directly to clients and project stakeholders
- Serve as a day-to-day client contact and collaborate with project managers, architects, consultants, and contractors
- Participate in construction administration activities, including site visits, field observations, and document review
- Resolve design and technical challenges while balancing quality, budget, and schedule requirements
- Mentor and support junior team members while contributing to a collaborative studio culture
- Explore and leverage emerging technologies, visualization tools, and AI-enabled workflows to enhance design quality and efficiency
Qualifications
- Based in or willing to relocate to Washington, DC metro area
- Bachelor's degree in Interior Design or Architecture
- 7-12 years of professional experience in architecture and interior design.
- Expertise in commercial office typological trends and standards, and a willingness to push the envelope of What's Next for office design.
- Strong design sensibility with demonstrated technical proficiency
- Experience producing construction documents and coordinating consultant documentation
- Knowledge of building, accessibility, and life safety codes
- Experience with space planning, FF&E development, finish selections, and specifications
- Ability to manage multiple priorities while maintaining exceptional attention to detail
- Strong verbal, graphic, and written communication skills
- Experience presenting design solutions to clients and project teams
- Advanced proficiency in Revit
- Proficiency in English and authorization to work in the United States
- Ability to travel occasionally as projects require
What we prefer
- Construction administration experience on commercial office building and interior projects.
- Experience mentoring junior designers
- Proficiency in Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign)
- Experience with Enscape, D5 Render, Twinmotion, or comparable visualization software
- Familiarity with AI-enabled design and visualization tools, including Copilot, Veras, and similar platforms/tools
- LEED and/or WELL accreditation
- NCIDQ certification and/or architectural licensure
What we offer
- Hybrid Work, minimum in the office 3 days/week All-remote candidates will not be considered.
- Flexible Hours
- Paid Leave + Holidays
- 401(k) Employee Savings Plan
- Health + Dental Plan
- Group Life Insurance
- Mentoring Program
- Company Laptops & sit/stand desks
- Fully stocked model shop
- Team and firm-wide Happy Hours
- iLAB Research Microgrant Program
- Art Night + Annual Summer Picnic + Holiday Party
- Paid maternity/ paternity leave
- 24 hours/year paid volunteer time
- Reimbursement of accreditation testing costs
- JUST Certified company - check out our label ratings! https://hickokcole.com/2022/05/16/hickok-cole-receives-just-label/   
- Parking/transportation pre-tax program