Senior Design Principal - Aviation Interior Design

HNTB; Los Angeles (CA); On-site; USD 146,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

HNTB is seeking a visionary design leader to shape the next generation of aviation environments and elevate design across our national aviation practice.

You will guide multi-disciplinary teams, translate complex challenges into memorable passenger experiences, and mentor the next generation of designers while helping grow HNTB’s aviation design brand.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Interior Design with substantial experience.
• RA/RID licensure or equivalent credentials.

Responsibilities

• Leads architectural documentation team and develops 3D concepts; acts as lead designer on large or multiple projects.
• Directs analysis, design, planning, and programming studies and layouts.
• Directs space planning options, design direction, and introduces new ideas and methods.
• Instructs on interior design standards, codes and regulations.
• Prepares project specifications, data, and presentations.
• Oversees material, color, and furniture selection; manages client communications on large projects.
• Mentors junior team members and participates in project quality reviews and QC processes.
• Leads business development efforts and contributes to proposals and interviews.

Skills

Revit

Interior detailing

Construction methods

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture

RA/RID

Job description

What We're Looking For

Lead the Future of Aviation Passenger Experience

HNTB is seeking a visionary design leader to help define the next generation of aviation environments and elevate the role of design across our national aviation practice. We are looking for an influential industry leader who can shape client thinking, drive innovation in passenger experience, and help represent HNTB as a premier design partner for airports across North America. The successful candidate will serve as a trusted advisor to our clients, collaborate closely with our multi-disciplinary teams, and influence major pursuits and projects from concept through delivery.

The ideal candidate brings a passion for storytelling and the ability to translate complex operational and commercial challenges into memorable passenger experiences. They will be a visible champion for design excellence, an advocate for innovation, and a leader who inspires clients and teams around a compelling vision for the future of aviation.

This role offers a unique opportunity to build and shape a growing national practice, mentor the next generation of designers, strengthen HNTB's design brand, and help create aviation environments that enhance traveler experience, support airport business objectives, and strengthen community connections.

What You'll Do

• Leads architectural documentation team and the development of 3D concepts. Lead designer on large projects or multiple small projects.
• Directs teams in the analysis in design, planning, programming studies, design layouts.
• Directs tactical and strategic issues for space planning options or design direction. Brings forward new ideas and methods.
• Instructs on interior design standards, codes and regulations.
• Directs the preparation of project specifications and relevant data.
• Directs or leads the preparation of presentations.
• Oversees material and color selection.
• Oversees furniture selection, layouts, and specification.
• Responsible for communication with project team, consultants and clients on large projects.
• Oversees project team and ensures project goals, milestones, and deliverables are achieved.
• Provides mentoring to less experienced team members relative to projects and career development.
• Participates in quality implementation plans, including scheduling for QC reviews and compiling comments in project documents.
• Quality reviewer for Interior Design scope on multiple projects.
• Leads business development efforts and collaborates directly with Business Development teams.
• Participates in proposal writing and project interviews.
• Assists or leads workplan development for Interior scope of projects.
• Assists Leadership with identifying staff needs and assignments.
• Oversees project budget management and cost control. Involves corporate resources as needed and escalates issues to senior leadership when necessary.
• Responsive to client budgets, able to guide value engineering efforts with client and contractor.
• Provides input on recruitment, hiring, development, and retention of staff, including performance and compensation reviews, and succession planning. Coordinates schedules and approves timecards. Aids in establishing employees' objectives and provides feedback while coaching and mentoring their team.
• Performs other duties as assigned

What You'll Need

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Interior Design and 12 years of relevant experience.
• RA/RID

What You'll Bring

• Expert knowledge of interior detailing and construction methods.
• Revit skills

Additional Information

Click here for benefits information: HNTB Total Rewards

Click here to learn more about Equal Opportunity Employer/Disability/Veteran

Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

#ET #Architecture

Locations:

Atlanta, GA, Denver, CO, Kansas City, MO, Los Angeles, CA (Figueroa Street), New York, NY

The approximate pay range for Los Angeles Metro Area and Orange County, CA is $145,993.46 - $228,348.77. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

The approximate pay range for Colorado is $139,645.93 - $218,420.56. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position based on all selected locations within the state at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

The anticipated last day to apply is 11/29/2026. Please note that the job may be unposted prior to this date if the job is filled or no longer a need.

The approximate pay range for New York is $158,688.55 - $248,205.18. Please note that the pay range provided is a good faith estimate for the position based on all selected locations within the state at the time of posting. Actual compensation will be dependent on factors, including but not limited to, the individual’s qualifications, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities as well as physical work location within the state.

Notice To Third-party Agencies

HNTB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or agencies. Any staffing/employment agency, person or entity that submits an unsolicited resume to this site does so with the understanding that the applicant's resume will become the property of HNTB. HNTB will have the right to hire that applicant at its discretion and without any fee owed to the submitting staffing/employment agency, person or entity. Staffing/employment agencies who have fee agreements with HNTB must submit applicants to the designated HNTB recruiter to be eligible for placement fees.

Job Type: Regular

Full/Part Time: Full time

Job Category: Architecture Group

ReqID: R-31547