Architectural Designer/Project Manager

AIA Triangle; North Carolina; On-site; USD 52,000 - 70,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

3 weeks PTO

11 paid holidays

Health insurance through BCBS NC

401(k) with employer match

Direct mentorship

Healthy work-life balance

Job summary

Ellen Cassilly Architects in Durham, NC seeks a Designer with 1–4 years of professional architecture experience and a degree in architecture to join our Durham studio.

You’ll work on residential and small commercial projects, gaining early responsibility and direct access to firm leadership and clients. You’ll contribute to design, documentation, and construction administration, learning through hands-on collaboration.

Qualifications

• Has 1–4 years of professional architecture experience.
• Holds a professional degree in architecture.
• Demonstrates thoughtful design and collaborative problem solving.
• Interested in residential design and working directly with homeowners.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to design development from concept through construction documents.
• Coordinate with consultants and team members on project deliverables.
• Assist with construction administration and site visits as needed.
• Engage early in projects with meaningful responsibility under supervision.

Skills

Design thinking

Collaboration

Detail-oriented

Initiative

Residential design interest

Education

Professional degree in architecture

Tools

Vectorworks

SketchUp

Enscape

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

Designer, 1–4 Years
Ellen Cassilly Architects | Durham, NC | Full-Time

Ellen Cassilly Architects seeks a talented, motivated Designer with 1–4 years of professional experience to join our Durham studio.

We are a design-driven residential and small commercial practice (parks, restaurants, office upfits) led by Ellen Cassilly, FAIA. Our work centers on custom homes, renovations, additions, commercial upfits, and redesigns. On every project, we bring a strong commitment to thoughtful design, craft, and sustainability, and we aim to create homes that last and that our clients love living in.

The Opportunity
We’re a small, collaborative studio, so we can offer emerging designers something that’s sometimes hard to find. You’ll get meaningful project responsibility early in your career, direct access to firm leadership and clients, and exposure to projects from first sketches through construction.

You’ll work closely with Ellen and our team. Along the way, you’ll build your skills in design, construction documentation, consultant coordination, and construction administration.

We’re Looking For Someone Who:

• Has 1–4 years of professional architecture experience and a professional degree in architecture.
• Is a thoughtful designer and a collaborative problem solver.
• Is curious, motivated, detail-oriented, and comfortable taking initiative.
• Has experience with or interest in residential design and working directly with homeowners.
• Has strong Vectorworks skills (or strong skills in another BIM platform and a willingness to learn Vectorworks), plus proficiency with SketchUp, Enscape, and Adobe Creative Suite
• Is interested in sustainable design, materials, and how buildings are put together
• Wants to grow professionally

Why ECA?

You’ll join a supportive studio where your ideas and contributions matter.

We offer:

• Competitive salary
• 3 weeks PTO plus 11 paid holidays
• Health insurance through BCBS NC
• A 401(k) with an employer match
• Direct mentorship
• A healthy work/life balance