Architectural Project Lead

Placement By Design, Inc.; Dallas (TX); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Placement By Design, Inc. in Dallas seeks an Architectural Project Lead to spearhead major projects including fleet maintenance centers, public works campuses, highway facilities, and utility service centers.

The role blends hands-on architectural work with project management, client engagement, and team leadership, with collaboration across offices. The position is hybrid, requiring 3 days in the Dallas office.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years of architectural experience with lead roles.
• Texas registration preferred; candidates progressing toward registration considered.
• Experience preparing construction documents and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to manage priorities and communicate clearly with clients and consultants.
• Willingness to travel for project meetings and site visits.
• Proficiency in Revit and familiarity with Bluebeam.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning, design development, documentation, and construction administration.
• Conduct client meetings and design reviews; document decisions.
• Develop facility layouts linking fleet operations, staffing, and growth.
• Prepare drawings, specs, narratives, and presentations.
• Coordinate civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, and fire protection consultants.
• Establish work plans, milestones, and staffing with leadership.
• Monitor hours and scope; support fee proposals.
• Mentor staff and ensure deliverables meet firm standards.
• Coordinate code analysis, permitting, and agency responses.
• Manage construction-phase activities and site observations.
• Maintain client relationships and identify opportunities for new services.
• Support interviews, proposals, teaming relationships, and events.
• Help establish Dallas office culture and assist recruitment.

Skills

Project leadership

Client engagement

Team coordination

Communication

Problem solving

Travel willingness

Education

Professional degree in architecture

Tools

Revit

Bluebeam

Project collaboration tools

Job description

Growing Architecture and Design firm seeks an Architectural Project Lead to help build their Dallas presence and lead projects including fleet maintenance centers, public works campuses, highway facilities, and utility service centers.

This position combines hands‑on architectural work with project management, client engagement, and team leadership. You will work directly with the firm’s President, collaborate with team in other offices, and help establish the working relationships and project delivery capabilities that support our growth in Texas and nationally.

The position is Hybrid with 3 days required in the Dallas office.

Your role

You will lead assigned projects from early discovery and facility programming through design, construction documents, and construction administration. You will translate operational requirements into coordinated architectural solutions while managing project schedules, staffing needs, consultant coordination, and fee budgets.

The role carries substantial day‑to‑day responsibility. You will organize the work, anticipate challenges, recommend solutions, and maintain clear communication with clients and the project team. The Principal will provide strategic direction, specialized facility expertise, and review at key milestones.

Primary responsibilities

• Lead project planning, design development, documentation, and construction administration for assigned projects.
• Conduct client meetings, site investigations, programming workshops, and design reviews; document decisions and carry them into the work.
• Develop facility layouts that connect fleet operations, maintenance workflows, staffing, equipment, and future growth.
• Prepare and review drawings, specifications, technical narratives, and presentations.
• Coordinate civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection, and specialty consultants.
• Establish project work plans, milestone schedules, and staffing requirements in coordination with firm leadership.
• Monitor project hours and scope; identify additional-service needs early and support preparation of fee proposals.
• Guide staff, delegate clearly, and review work for completeness, coordination, and consistency with firm standards.
• Coordinate code analysis, permitting, and responses to agency review comments.
• Manage construction‑phase activities, including submittals, RFIs, site observations, and project closeout.
• Maintain productive client relationships and recognize opportunities for additional services and future projects.
• Support interviews, proposals, teaming relationships, and selected professional events.
• Help establish the Dallas office’s collaborative culture and support recruitment and onboarding as the team grows.

Qualifications

• Professional degree in architecture.
• Typically eight or more years of architectural experience, including demonstrated responsibility for leading projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Architectural registration preferred, particularly in Texas; candidates actively progressing toward registration may also be considered based on experience and capabilities.
• Strong experience preparing coordinated construction documents and supporting projects during construction.
• Proficiency in Revit and familiarity with Bluebeam and common project collaboration tools.
• Sound understanding of building systems, detailing, accessibility, and building codes.
• Ability to manage several priorities, exercise independent judgment, and communicate clearly with clients, consultants, and colleagues.
• Willingness to travel for project meetings, site investigations, and construction observation.
• Experience with municipal, fleet, public works, industrial, transportation, or utility facilities is especially valuable.
• Curiosity about how buildings support daily operations and a willingness to develop specialized expertise are essential.

What success looks like

During the first year, you will assume reliable leadership of assigned projects, build client confidence, and produce coordinated work that meets agreed schedules and budgets.

You will help staff perform effectively, bring emerging issues forward with practical recommendations, and contribute to a strong working connection between Dallas and office headquarters.

Over time, the position offers the opportunity to assume greater responsibility for people, clients, and Dallas office operations as the practice grows.