Senior Project Architect

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting; McLean (VA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Little Diversified Architectural Consulting in Tysons Corner is seeking a Senior Project Architect to lead complex community-focused projects from concept through construction documents. You will guide design vision, mentor teams, and foster strong client relationships in a collaborative, transdisciplinary studio.

The role requires a Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, 10+ years of leadership experience, a robust design portfolio, and a passion for sustainable, high-performance design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or related design field (professional registration or NCARB certification preferred).
• 10+ years of professional experience with demonstrated project leadership.
• Strong design portfolio showing concept development through execution.
• Excellent communication skills—verbal, written, and visual.

Responsibilities

• Oversee projects end-to-end from concept through design development and construction documents.
• Lead design excellence and develop compelling concepts across project types.
• Mentor and grow junior staff in a collaborative studio culture.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships and ensure alignment on vision and outcomes.
• Collaborate across disciplines with internal teams, consultants and stakeholders.
• Ensure technical quality with clear, coordinated, code-compliant documentation and sustainability strategies.

Skills

Project leadership

Communication skills

Collaboration

Problem-solving

Sustainability design

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture

NCARB / professional registration preferred

Job description

Little, a diverse and transdisciplinary design firm, is seeking a Senior Project Architect to work in our Community Studio in our Tysons Corner (DC) office.

The ideal candidate for this opportunity will be an ambitious, creative Senior Project Architect who has extensive experience working for community clients and is looking to improve the performance of our clients through creative collaboration and breakthrough ideas. This is an opportunity to shape impactful projects across community, K-12, higher education, and recreation/sports sectors while working within a highly collaborative, transdisciplinary design environment.

About the Role

We’re looking for a design-forward Senior Project Architect who thrives at the intersection of creativity, technical excellence, and collaboration. In this role, you will lead complex projects from early concept through construction documentation: driving design vision, mentoring teams, and building strong client relationships.

A position you’ll love:

• Guide Projects End-to-End: Oversee projects from concept through design development and construction documents
• Lead Design Excellence: Develop and articulate compelling design concepts across diverse project types. Delivering high-quality, innovative solutions that align with client goals and project constraints
• Mentor & Grow Teams: Support and guide junior staff, fostering a collaborative and inclusive studio culture
• Build Client Relationships: Establish trust with clients and ensure alignment on vision, scope, and outcomes
• Collaborate Across Disciplines: Work seamlessly with internal teams, consultants, and stakeholders
• Ensure Technical Quality: Produce clear, coordinated, and code-compliant documentation with integrated sustainability strategies

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or related design field (professional registration or NCARB certification preferred)
• 10+ years of professional experience with demonstrated project leadership
• Strong design portfolio showcasing concept development through execution
• Excellent communication skills—verbal, written, and visual
• Proven ability to lead teams and collaborate in a client-focused environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities
• Passion for sustainable, high-performance design

Why Little:

Little is a place where you’ll surround yourself with colleagues who have different areas of expertise, are from different cultures and generations, and embody different talents, experiences and passions. In fact, if you ask our employees what keeps them excited about coming to work each day, you’ll hear that it’s the people. It’s also our culture and the chance to be part of creating a better future through our work. We embrace a culture of teaching and learning through cross-mentoring that spans generations, disciplines, talents, and interests and we strive to give each person exposure to the widest possible array of experiences. We care intensely about our clients and each other, and we do our best to spark a spirit of creativity and excitement in everyone around us.

Curious what it’s like to work at Little? Check out our video!

Life at Little: Our Core Values on Vimeo

Little is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, Little prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Little is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable