Architect/Designer

Northeast Sustainable Energy Association; Portsmouth (NH); On-site; USD 65,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

Life insurance

Paid holidays

PTO (15 days)

Simple IRA 3% match

Mentorship and licensure support

Professional development stipend

Volunteer days

Job summary

Placework in Portsmouth, NH is seeking an Architectural Designer or licensed Architect with 5+ years of experience who loves design, communicates ideas clearly, and wants to grow with a team that invests in them.

Join a Certified B Corporation with a collaborative studio culture. The role emphasizes rigorous design development, Revit production, client coordination, site visits, and advancing sustainability through the firm’s Climate Action Plan and AIA 2030 commitment.

Qualifications

• B.Arch, M.Arch, or a bachelor’s degree in a related design field
• 5+ years of professional experience
• Working toward licensure (preferred)
• Strong design, communication, and visualization skills, shown in your portfolio
• Proficiency in Revit and Adobe Creative Suite; experience with energy modeling, carbon accounting, and/or rendering with Twin Motion is a plus
• Interest in sustainable design, through education, experience, or both
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to manage your own time and tasks

Responsibilities

• Work on several projects at once, from Pre-Design through Construction Administration
• Contribute to a rigorous design process, developing concepts through sketches, drawings, and models, by hand and by computer, that tell a clear and compelling design narrative.
• Use Revit to produce technical drawings and high-performance building envelope details
• Work directly with clients, consultants, and contractors, and join site visits
• Support our Climate Action Plan and AIA 2030 Commitment through research and documentation
• Contribute to project management, client presentations, proposal writing, and marketing efforts
• Help shape our BIM and graphic standards and office procedures

Skills

Design

Communication

Visualization

Time Management

Education

B.Arch, M.Arch, or a bachelor’s degree in a related design field

Tools

Revit

Adobe Creative Suite

Twin Motion

Energy Modeling

Job description

Design buildings that do good.

Placework is an award-winning architecture practice based in Portsmouth, NH and grounded in social and environmental responsibility. We became a Certified B Corporation in 2022, the first architecture firm in our state to do so. Our clients are institutional, municipal, and educational organizations; our work connects people to place and planet.

We’re looking for an Architectural Designer or licensed Architect with 5+ years of experience who loves design, communicates ideas clearly, and wants to grow with a team that invests in them.

Location

Portsmouth, NH

What You’ll Do

• Work on several projects at once, from Pre-Design through Construction Administration
• Contribute to a rigorous design process, developing concepts through sketches, drawings, and models, by hand and by computer, that tell a clear and compelling design narrative.
• Use Revit to produce technical drawings and high-performance building envelope details
• Work directly with clients, consultants, and contractors, and join site visits
• Support our Climate Action Plan and AIA 2030 Commitment through research and documentation
• Contribute to project management, client presentations, proposal writing, and marketing efforts
• Help shape our BIM and graphic standards and office procedures

What We Offer

• Salary range: $65,000 to $90,000, depending on experience and potential
• Benefits + Insurance: 100% employer-paid health, dental, vision, life, and short-term disability insurance for employees with dependent coverage options available.
• Time off: 10 paid holidays plus 15 days of PTO, increasing with years of service
• Retirement plan: Simple IRA with a 3% employer match
• Mentorship and licensure (AXP) support across all of practice: design, documentation, construction administration, and the business of architecture
• Professional Development stipend: $500 toward conferences, seminars, or accreditations such as LEED, WELL, or LFA
• Volunteer time: three paid days to support your community
• Collaborative culture: a weekly “design thinking” gathering to discuss design ideas and issues in the profession, office outings (hiking, lectures, museums, and cross-country skiing), and regular check‑ins on your goals
• Workplace: A studio built around direct collaboration and mentorship; we work in person most days, with flexibility to work from home when needed
• Transparency: clear annual goals for personal and team development, transparent company updates, and regular performance reviews

About You

• B.Arch, M.Arch, or a bachelor’s degree in a related design field
• 5+ years of professional experience
• Working toward licensure (preferred)
• Strong design, communication, and visualization skills, shown in your portfolio
• Proficiency in Revit and Adobe Creative Suite; experience with energy modeling, carbon accounting, and/or rendering with Twin Motion is a plus
• Interest in sustainable design, through education, experience, or both
• A collaborative mindset and the ability to manage your own time and tasks

Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion

Placework is an equal opportunity employer. Cultivating diversity in our working environment is vital to the richness and integrity of our work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, age, veteran status or other protected characteristics. Placework is committed to compliance with all fair employment practices regarding citizenship and immigration status.