Senior Project Designer, Interiors

HMC Architects; San Jose (CA); Hybrid; USD 132,103 - 204,874; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Equity

401k

Paid time off

Wellness benefits

Job summary

HMC Architects in San Jose, CA is seeking a Senior Project Designer to lead architectural design efforts across projects from schematic design through construction. The role serves as primary client contact, oversees design teams, and collaborates with project managers, consultants, and leadership to deliver successful outcomes.

The position is located in our San Jose, CA office. The regular work schedule is Monday through Thursday 7:30AM to 5:30PM and Friday from 7:30AM to 11:30AM.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from an accredited university.
• Minimum 10 years of architectural design experience with leadership.
• Strong client management and design coordination abilities.
• Proficiency with CAD and presentation tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design efforts across projects from schematic design to construction.
• Serve as primary client contact and maintain strong client relationships.
• Develop design presentations, narratives, and visual communication materials.
• Coordinate activities with project teams, consultants, and regulators.
• Mentor designers and junior staff.
• Ensure design quality and design intent across project phases.
• Coordinate construction documentation and code compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Client management

Team mentoring

Project coordination

Presentation skills

CAD

Visualization tools

Education

Architecture degree

Tools

CAD

Presentation tools

Job description

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 is a key creative leader responsible for planning, coordinating, and leading architectural design efforts across projects of varying size and complexity. This role serves as the primary client contact, oversees design teams, ensures design excellence from concept through construction, and collaborates closely with project managers, consultants, and firm leadership to deliver successful project outcomes.

The position is located in our San Jose, CA office. The regular work schedule is Monday through Thursday 7:30AM to 5:30PM and Friday from 7:30AM to 11:30AM. You will have the opportunity to work remote
Mondays and Fridays (based on business needs) and will be required to come into the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage architectural design efforts for multiple projects from schematic design through construction.
• Serve as the primary client contact and maintain strong client relationships.
• Develop and deliver design presentations, narratives, and visual communication materials.
• Coordinate design activities with project teams, consultants, and regulatory agencies.
• Supervise, mentor, and develop designers and junior staff members.
• Ensure design quality and design intent are maintained through all project phases.
• Prepare project work plans, schedules, and design‑related budgets.
• Lead design charrettes, critiques, and design quality initiatives within the firm.
• Support business development activities, marketing proposals, interviews, and client presentations.
• Coordinate construction documentation, specifications, and technical design requirements, including code compliance and building systems integration.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from an accredited university.
• Minimum 10 years of architectural design experience, including leadership of significant design projects.
• Demonstrated expertise in architectural design, project coordination, and client management.
• Strong leadership, mentoring, and team management skills.
• Excellent verbal, written, and presentation communication abilities.
• Knowledge of architectural building systems, construction documents, specifications, and applicable building codes.
• Proficiency with architectural design and visualization software, including CAD and presentation tools.
• Strong organizational, problem‑solving, and project management capabilities.
• Ability to lead multiple projects and design teams simultaneously while maintaining quality, budget, and schedule goals.

The salary range for this position is $132,103 - $204,874 annually.

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.