Senior Architectural Designer - Hybrid Lead & Mentor

Deceder Group; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Paid time off with no set annual limit

Paid company holidays

Health insurance with firm premium

401(k) with company match

Paid parental leave

Commuting and parking reimbursement

Continuing education and certification

Laptop and work iPhone provided

Job summary

Deceder Group is seeking a Senior Architectural Designer / Senior Designer with 9–14 years of experience to lead projects from schematic design through construction. You will manage client relationships, budgets, and team mentorship, acting as the face of the firm on assigned projects.

Architecture candidates can pursue the RA path; interior design candidates can pursue NCIDQ. The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and rigorous design standards in a hybrid Arlington environment.

Qualifications

• 9 to 14 years of experience in an architecture or interior design practice, leading projects and people.
• Thorough knowledge of permitting across DC-area jurisdictions, code requirements (IBC, ADA, NFPA), and construction requirements (STC, UL designs).
• An established network in the DC-area AEC community.
• Hand sketching for on-the-spot discussions with clients and teams.

Responsibilities

• Define project requirements, create project schedules, and communicate the path to success.
• Participate in preliminary project walkthroughs.
• Manage full projects from schematic design through construction administration; own budgets, schedules, and client communication.
• Help determine staffing, balance deadlines, and monitor team productivity and utilization.
• Direct and delegate project work to junior staff; give regular feedback and mentor designers at every level.
• Set the design direction for the team on each project and review presentations, renderings, and selections before they go out.
• Review and redline the team’s drawing sets and code analyses; deliver substantially complete documents at permit and pricing.
• Select consultants, negotiate scope and fee, and manage their information, schedules, review, and quality control.
• Oversee construction administration across your jobs, including change orders and difficult contractor conversations.
• Identify additional services and raise them with the client.
• Communicate with clients daily; maintain and advance relationships into repeat work.
• Participate in the Project Delivery process and Quality Management Plan.
• Stamp and seal construction documents following firm policy (when licensed)

Skills

Revit 2023+

AutoCAD Architecture

Enscape

InDesign

Monograph

Microsoft Office

Claude AI tools

Education

Licensed Architect expectation

NCIDQ expected for interior path

LEED AP certification

Tools

Autodesk Construction Cloud

Monograph

Enscape

Job description

Deceder Group is seeking a Senior Architectural Designer / Senior Designer with 9–14 years of experience to lead projects from schematic design through construction. You will manage client relationships, budgets, and team mentorship, acting as the face of the firm on assigned projects.

Architecture candidates can pursue the RA path; interior design candidates can pursue NCIDQ. The role emphasizes leadership, collaboration, and rigorous design standards in a hybrid Arlington environment.