Senior Project Architect

IA Interior Architects; California (MO); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

IA Interior Architects seeks a Senior Project Architect/Manager to lead advanced manufacturing and technology projects across multiple U.S. studio locations. The role emphasizes client leadership, multidisciplinary coordination, and delivering high-performance spaces.

Ideal candidates bring 12+ years of experience, strong BD instincts, and proficiency in BIM tools, with the ability to travel to client sites as needed. Strong design-forward thinking is valued.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture or related field.
• Professional licensure preferred.
• 12+ years of professional experience leading complex manufacturing/tech environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead strategic growth and market positioning for Advanced Manufacturing/Technology.
• Build and maintain client relationships and pursue new opportunities.
• Direct project teams through planning, design, and construction phases.
• Coordinate with engineering consultants, vendors, and stakeholders.
• Represent IA at industry events and client meetings.

Skills

Business development

Leadership

Client relationships

Project leadership

Communication

Multidisciplinary coordination

BIM/Revit

Education

Bachelor/Master Architecture

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

MS Office

Job description

IA is seeking a dynamic Senior Project Architect/Manager to work in our Advanced Manufacturing/Technology Sector. This role is ideal for an experienced, client-focused leader with a strong understanding of technically complex environments, operational requirements, multidisciplinary coordination, and the delivery of high-performing spaces for advanced manufacturing and technology clients.

The Senior Project Architect/Manager will serve as a trusted advisor to clients and industry partners while partnering with IA’s studios and firmwide practice leaders to build relationships, pursue new opportunities, and deliver exceptional project outcomes. This individual will bring a balance of business development acumen, technical and project leadership, and design-forward thinking to advance IA’s presence in the advanced manufacturing and technology market.

Location: This can be based in several IA Studio Locations: NorCal, SoCal, Seattle, Philadelphia, NY and other potential locations throughout the US.

Responsibilities

• Lead the strategic growth and market positioning of IA’s Advanced Manufacturing/Technology practice, with a focus on expanding architectural, interior, and workplace project opportunities.
• Partner with IA’s current project teams and clients to strengthen relationships, support active work, and identify opportunities for additional services and future projects.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with advanced manufacturing and technology clients, developers, engineering partners, contractors, and industry consultants.
• Identify, cultivate, and convert business-development opportunities, including client outreach, networking, proposal strategy, interviews, and presentations.
• Pursue projects across advanced manufacturing and technology environments, including manufacturing facilities, research and development spaces, laboratories, mission-critical support areas, workplace, amenity spaces, and campus environments.
• Serve as a senior client contact and trusted advisor throughout the project lifecycle.
• Lead or support projects from early planning and programming through design, documentation, construction administration, and project closeout.
• Collaborate with IA design, architecture, strategy, technical, and project management teams to deliver thoughtful, operationally sound, and high-performing environments.
• Guide project teams in navigating complex technical requirements, operational adjacencies, equipment coordination, consultant integration, phasing, safety, and business-continuity considerations.
• Provide project leadership related to scope, schedule, staffing, budget, risk management, consultant coordination, and quality control.
• Champion a strong understanding of evolving trends in advanced manufacturing and technology, including automation, flexibility, employee experience, sustainability, resiliency, and future-ready workplace and production environments.
• Partner with firm leadership to develop thought leadership, marketing collateral, case studies, and external visibility opportunities.
• Mentor and develop team members, sharing sector knowledge and fostering a collaborative, high-performing project culture.
• Represent IA at industry conferences, client meetings, networking events, and relevant manufacturing and technology organizations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, Planning, or a related discipline.
• Professional licensure preferred.
• 12+ years of professional experience, including significant experience leading advanced manufacturing, technology, laboratory, industrial, mission-critical, or other technically complex projects.
• Demonstrated experience working with multidisciplinary teams, including engineering consultants, equipment vendors, contractors, and client stakeholders.
• Proven ability to develop client relationships, lead pursuits, and contribute to business growth.
• Experience with architectural and interior project delivery for complex environments, including programming, planning, design development, documentation, consultant coordination, and construction administration.
• Experience managing complex project requirements, phased implementation, stakeholder engagement, and operational constraints within active facilities.
• Excellent communication, presentation, negotiation, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong leadership abilities with a collaborative, entrepreneurial approach.
• Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office Suite preferred.
• Ability to travel as needed to support clients, projects, and business-development efforts.