Project Architect (Unlicensed)

Design Build Architects; Salem (MA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Design Build Architects in Massachusetts is seeking a Project Architect to lead projects from concept through construction documents and to guide the production team.

This is a lead role with licensure support, the face of the firm for clients, early involvement in proposals, and potential continuation into construction administration. Boston-based or willing to relocate; on-site position.

Qualifications

• NAAB-accredited professional degree required.
• 5-8+ years in an architecture office with real project responsibility.
• Passive House experience is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead design from pre-design through construction documents, directing the production team.
• Be the face of the firm for 'your' clients and lead client meetings.
• Involve early in sales conversations through proposal and define scope, fees, schedule.
• If hired for construction, stay on through construction administration (RFIs, submittals, site visits).

Skills

5-8 years

Lead client meetings

Passive House

Education

NAAB-accredited professional degree

Job description

Project Architect (Unlicensed, NCARB-Complete) - From First Call To Final Walkthrough

$120,000-140,000*

Boston, MA | Full-time | Design Build Architects

You’re already doing an architect’s job. You just don’t get the title, the client, or the upside.

You’re the one people go to when something actually has to get done.

Clients call you when they’re confused.

Consultants copy you when they need real answers.

Junior staff wait on your markups before anything moves.

But on paper, you’re still 'Designer', 'Job Captain', or 'Intermediate', and your current firm:

• Bills you out like a project architect but pays you like mid-level staff
• Protects the client relationship at the principal / PM level
• Talks about supporting licensure but doesn’t put real money, time, or responsibility behind it

If that’s you, keep reading.

Who we are

Design Build Architects is a minority- and veteran-owned design-build architecture firm in Massachusetts focused on high-performance residential and multifamily projects (Passive House, net-zero, and deep energy retrofits).

We’re small, hands-on, and care more about buildings that perform than about awards pages. We use a hybrid model: local licensed architect + remote production team to deliver high-touch design without big-firm overhead + local project manager for construction execution.

The role: Project Architect / Future Licensed Architect

This is a lead role, not a production seat.

You will:

• Be the face of the firm for 'your' clients
• Get involved early: from first consult / sales conversation through proposal
• Define scope, fees, and schedule with support from the principal
• Lead design from pre-design through construction documents, directing our production team for modeling and documentation
• If the client hires us for construction, stay on as the architect through construction administration (site visits, RFIs, submittals, punch, closeout)

In short: you own the client journey from first conversation to final walk-through.

We back you with admin, marketing, and drafting so your time is spent on design, coordination, and decisions.

Path to Licensure: Fully Supported (with Guardrails)

You’ve put in the NCARB hours. You just need a firm that bets on you.

We will:

• Pay for all ARE exam registration fees
• Cover reasonable study materials / practice exams
• Provide paid time for each exam (one prep day + exam day)
• Cover initial Massachusetts license application fee

In return:

• We agree together on a clear exam schedule and timeline.
• If you voluntarily leave within 24 months of obtaining your license, you’ll reimburse a prorated portion of exam/licensure costs.

What we’re looking for

• Professional degree in architecture (NAAB-accredited preferred)
• NCARB AXP complete or nearly complete
• 5-8+ years in an architecture office with real project responsibility
• Comfortable leading client meetings and coordinating consultants
• High-performance / Passive House experience is a plus
• Boston / New England-based or willing to relocate

Compensation

• Base salary: $95,000-$115,000 depending on experience and portfolio
• Performance bonus: Target total compensation of $120,000-$140,000+ when projects hit profitability targets
• Full licensure support as described above
• Focused environment where the work you lead actually gets built