Design Principal, Architecture & Interiors - Washington, DC

Mckissack & Mckissack; Washington, Northern (District of Columbia, KY); Hybrid; USD 185,000 - 225,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical Insurance

Vision Insurance

FSA

HSA

Tuition Assistance

Adoption Assistance

Matching 401k Plan

Paid Time Off

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Job summary

McKissack & McKissack in Washington, DC is seeking a Design Principal to lead architecture and interiors. You will shape design direction, translate client vision into solutions, and mentor design teams from concept through execution.

This is a senior role requiring a Registered Architect with a strong portfolio, client trust, and proven ability to manage complex projects across corporate real estate, cultural facilities, and institutional work.

Qualifications

• Registered Architect in good standing
• 20 or more years of professional architectural experience
• Recognized design leader with a strong portfolio of built work
• Proven ability to lead conceptual design and early project vision
• Strong freehand or digital sketching ability
• Experience working directly with clients in public and private sector environments
• Ability to inspire, guide, and elevate design teams
• Strong communication and presentation skills

Responsibilities

• Lead design vision from early concept through design development
• Create high level conceptual sketches and narratives that translate client goals into clear architectural ideas
• Serve as the primary design voice in client meetings, interviews, and presentations
• Set the overall design direction and guide teams through refinement and execution
• Partner directly with clients to understand mission, culture, and functional needs
• Build trust with senior stakeholders through strong listening, clarity of thought, and design confidence
• Act as a creative advisor who helps clients make informed design decisions
• Work closely with architects, interior designers, and technical staff to develop concepts into coordinated design solutions
• Provide design guidance and mentorship to project teams throughout the design process
• Collaborate with outside design partners and specialty consultants as needed
• Lead design across corporate real estate, cultural facilities, and institutional projects

Skills

Lead design vision

Client engagement

Presentation skills

Mentor teams

Job description

Design Principal, Architecture & Interiors - Washington, DC

Lead architectural excellence at McKissack & McKissack in D.C.! Drive growth, client relations, and studio success.

Our DC Office is hiring a Design Principal, Architecture and Interiors to join our dynamic McKissack & McKissack team!
We are seeking a senior design leader who can translate bold client vision into compelling architectural and interior design solutions. This role is for a registered Architect with a strong design voice, deep client trust, and the ability to lead concept through execution with clarity and confidence.
This individual will be a visible design leader for the firm, working directly with clients at the earliest stages of a project. They will set the design direction, produce high level conceptual sketches, and guide internal design teams as concepts are developed into fully realized projects.
McKissack & McKissack offers opportunities to grow your career while working on transformative projects in program and construction management, architecture, and interior design. We combine technical expertise and creative vision to deliver exceptional results. Our culture values diversity, professional development, and performance. We seek team players who are humble, hungry, and smart, with strong academic or professional experience, integrity, and a client-focused mindset. Join a team that invests in your success and rewards ambition, integrity, and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead design vision from early concept through design development
• Create high level conceptual sketches and narratives that translate client goals into clear architectural ideas
• Serve as the primary design voice in client meetings, interviews, and presentations
• Set the overall design direction and guide teams through refinement and execution
• Client Engagement
• Partner directly with clients to understand mission, culture, and functional needs
• Build trust with senior stakeholders through strong listening, clarity of thought, and design confidence
• Act as a creative advisor who helps clients make informed design decisions
• Project and Team Collaboration
• Work closely with architects, interior designers, and technical staff to develop concepts into coordinated design solutions
• Provide design guidance and mentorship to project teams throughout the design process
• Collaborate with outside design partners and specialty consultants as needed
• Market Focus
• Corporate real estate including commercial office, hospitality, and government funded housing
• Cultural facilities including landmarks, arenas, convention centers, libraries, museums, and cultural centers
• Institutional work including healthcare, civic, government, and public safety facilities

Requirements

• Registered Architect in good standing
• 20 or more years of professional architectural experience
• Recognized design leader with a strong portfolio of built work
• Proven ability to lead conceptual design and early project vision
• Strong freehand or digital sketching ability
• Experience working directly with clients in public and private sector environments
• Ability to inspire, guide, and elevate design teams
• Strong communication and presentation skills

Compensation

Salary range: $185,000 - $225,000/yearly (dependent on years of experience, competency, travel requirements)

Employee Benefits

• Medical Insurance
• Vision Insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (FSA)
• Health Savings Account (HSA)
• Tuition Assistance
• Adoption Assistance
• Matching 401k Plan
• Company-paid holidays
• Paid-Time-Off (PTO)
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Life Insurance
• Short and Long-Term Disability Insurance
• McKissack& McKissack is committed to ensuring equal employment opportunity and access be provided in the employment and advancement of all persons. It is our policy to provide equal opportunity for all persons, without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religion, religious practices and observances; national origin, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; genetic information; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability, in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.
• Our aim is for the company to be representative of all sections of society and that each employee feels respected and able to give their best. We are committed to a policy of treating all our employees and job applications equally.

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