Senior Project Designer

HMC Architects; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 106,000 - 158,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Culture-first environment

Wellness programs

Mentorship & training

Equity & 401k

Job summary

HMC Architects in Los Angeles, CA seeks a Senior Project Designer to lead design efforts for multiple projects, coordinate documentation, and maintain design intent through construction. The role prioritizes client contact and team leadership, with a hybrid work setup requiring three days in the office and remote on Mondays and Fridays.

The position requires 10+ years of architectural design experience and a degree, with responsibilities spanning schematic design through construction

Qualifications

• Architectural degree from an accredited university.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of architectural design experience.
• Demonstrated leadership in architectural design and ability to guide teams.
• Proven ability to lead design direction on complex projects and manage workflows.
• Strong understanding of building systems, construction methods, and codes.
• Ability to plan, estimate hours, meet deadlines and manage budgets.
• Experience serving as a primary client contact and maintaining relationships.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and supporting marketing efforts.

Responsibilities

• Produce and oversee documentation including meeting minutes, correspondence, design narratives, diagrams, and training materials.
• Participate in business development activities, cultivate new clients, lead interviews, and prepare proposals.
• Communicate complex design concepts clearly and lead client-facing presentations.
• Collaborate with project teams, consultants, and agencies; resolve design conflicts.
• Provide leadership through coaching and performance feedback to staff; supervise 4–7 design staff.
• Lead design efforts during Schematic Design and Design Development; ensure design integrity across projects.
• Oversee 3D modeling, material research, and preparation of presentation materials.
• Promote design quality and firm reputation through critiques, awards submissions, and publications.
• Coordinate with agencies through plan checks; guide construction phase design intents and cost coordination.
• Provide technical training and mentorship to grow staff capabilities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Mentoring

Client relations

Education

Architectural degree

Job description

Who We Are

HMC Architects is an employee-owned design firm with an inherent desire to make a difference in our communities. As a purpose-driven brand based on values, our mission to design for good drives everything we do. And our ownership culture creates alignment and increased commitment to that mission, keeping us on track to being successful.

Who We Are

HMC Architects is an employee-owned design firm with an inherent desire to make a difference in our communities. As a purpose-driven brand based on values, our mission to design for good drives everything we do. And our ownership culture creates alignment and increased commitment to that mission, keeping us on track to being successful.

What We Do

Founded with the purpose of anticipating community needs, HMC aims to create designs that have a positive impact, now and into the future. We focus primarily on opportunities to have the most direct contribution to communities–through healthcare, education, and civic spaces.

Why Join HMC

As an employee owned company you become an owner after one year—receiving company-provided shares at no cost and building long-term financial growth as the firm succeeds. We also give back through our volunteerism with our Designing Futures Foundation, which advances sustainable and regenerative design and supports the next generation of innovators. In addition to this, we also support our team through:

• Culture: We put people over profits, giving them the flexibility to manage their work and life. We believe in fairness, equality in opportunity, and rewarding those who perform.
• Wellness: company paid wellness courses, on-site gyms (at select locations), access to financial advisors and discounts to wellness platforms, gyms and more.
• Professional Development: LinkedIn learning access, business development training, supportive mentorship, company-paid ARE study materials, exam fees, and licensure completion bonuses.
• Comprehensive Comp and Benefits: Base+Bonus+Equity+401k, including student loan repayments, wellness programs, full medical, dental, vision, time off and holidays above industry standard.

Job Summary

The Senior Project Designer will be a prominent creative leader for the office and company, and will plan, coordinate, and lead the design efforts for various sized projects. Coordinate and produce design presentation material, and coordinate the design intent with the production and documentation of construction documents. Coordinate with the construction administration of the project and maintain design intent during construction. Has primary responsibility for client contact. Strong ability to multi-task and prioritize. Ability to oversee two to three project designers and several junior design staff.

The position is located in Los Angeles, California. This position offers a hybrid work arrangement with flexible hours, requiring three days in the office and the option to work remotely on Mondays and Fridays.

Position Responsibilities

• Produce and oversee documentation including meeting minutes, correspondence, design narratives, diagrams, and training materials; ensure compliance with agreements, fees, and deliverables.
• Participate in business development activities, cultivate new clients, lead marketing interviews, and write/approve marketing proposals and materials.
• Communicate complex design concepts clearly through verbal, written, and graphic methods; lead and organize client-facing presentations and serve as a primary client contact.
• Collaborate effectively with project teams, consultants, and government agencies; resolve design conflicts and maintain strong working relationships.
• Provide leadership through coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback to assigned team members; supervise and manage 4–7 design staff and multiple project design teams.
• Delegate tasks effectively and professionally; support senior leadership in staff supervision, evaluations, and performance management.
• Plan, prioritize, and manage work activities; develop schedules, estimate task hours, and complete work within budget; collaborate closely with project leadership.
• Lead design efforts during Schematic Design and Design Development; ensure design integrity throughout all project phases and across multiple projects and studios.
• Demonstrate creativity aligned with core design principles; perform environmental analyses; oversee 3D modeling, material research, and preparation of presentation materials.
• Promote design quality and the firm’s design reputation through critiques, charrettes, awards submissions, and publications.
• Maintain technical proficiency in contract documents, building systems, construction methods, and applicable codes; guide development of drawings, details, specifications, and materials selection.
• Coordinate with agencies through plan check processes; lead construction-phase design intent, cost estimating coordination, and field verification efforts.
• Provide technical training and mentorship to support the growth of staff capabilities.

Position Requirements

• Architectural degree from an accredited university.
• Minimum of ten (10) years of architectural design experience, including significant involvement in the production and coordination of major design projects.
• Demonstrated leadership in architectural design and strong ability to guide teams, communicate effectively, and manage complex project workflows.
• Proven ability to lead design direction on complex projects, guide design teams, and uphold high standards of creativity, clarity, and technical rigor.
• Strong understanding of building systems, materials, construction methods, and applicable building codes; demonstrated ability to oversee and provide input during Construction Documentation and Construction Administration phases.
• Ability to plan and manage project tasks, estimate hours, meet deadlines, and work within established budgets while coordinating closely with project managers and senior leadership.
• Experience serving as a primary point of contact for clients, maintaining strong professional relationships, and providing consistent follow-through on project needs.
• Experience supervising, mentoring, and developing junior staff; ability to provide constructive feedback and foster a positive learning environment.
• Experience supporting or leading marketing efforts, preparing proposals and presentation materials, and participating in client interviews to secure new work.

The salary range for this position is $105,682 - $158,086.

The actual salary offered for this position will vary depending on multiple factors including the candidate’s qualification, education, position knowledge, work experience, skills, ability, work location, and internal incumbent compensation for similar roles. We do not anticipate individuals hired into this position will start at or near the top half of the range listed; the decision will be based on each individual case. The salary range listed above does not include other compensation elements such as discretionary bonus opportunities, employee stock ownership grants, paid time off, medical insurance, and other wage and benefit opportunities.