At Perkins&Will, we believe design has the power to create places that inspire people, strengthen communities, and advance a more sustainable future. Our San Francisco studio is growing and seeking a talented Project Architect to join our dynamic and collaborative team, supporting a diverse portfolio of projects across multiple practice areas including Commercial, Workplace, Science & Technology, Healthcare, Higher Education, and Civic sectors.
What You'll Own
- Understands all aspects of the design process and project complexities to proactively contribute to the overall success of the team while adhering to firm and project goals and standards of excellence in design, project management, execution and living design.
- Understands and responds to technical implications, design decisions and project financial goals.
- Coordinates project documentation development and the production of deliverable drawings and specifications.
- Reviews deliverables at each phase for conformance with firm standards, contractual obligations and project design intent, with a focus on quality, accuracy, legibility, completeness and constructibility.
- Responsible for addressing Quality Control review comments at each phase.
- Manages project Quality Assurance and adherence with Perkins&Will standards.
- Leads project coordination efforts among internal disciplines (architecture, interior design, landscape architecture) and with external consultants.
- Communicates with clients related to project technical matters.
- Administers project regulatory reviews (building code, accessibility, zoning) and coordination with, and submission to, authorities having jurisdiction.
- Leads construction contract administration responsibilities including: submittal review and response, RFI review and response, field observation and reporting and project closeout.
- Maintains awareness of evolving building technology and engineering systems relevant to project work.
- Contribute to pursuits, proposals, and interviews when the work calls for it.
- Lead charettes, pin-ups, and design reviews that produce decisions, not just discussion.
- Mentor staff and manage assignments in a way that grows their judgment on technically demanding project types.
What You'll Bring
Technical range:
- Building, zoning, and energy code fluency
- Preliminary design studies through contract documents and specifications. Construction contract administration on MEP-intensive projects.
- Consultant coordination across mechanical, electrical, and process engineering disciplines.
- Client communication that doesn't require a translator.
Software:
- Advanced Revit
- Rhino/Grasshopper for conceptual and computational modeling
- Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud (InDesign, Photoshop)
- Enscape, Lumion, or V-Ray for visualization
- Physical modeling: 3D printing, laser cutting
- Environmental analysis tools such as Ladybug/Climate Studio a plus
Credentials:
- Bachelor's degree in architecture or a related discipline, required
- Architectural license
- 8-10+ yrs experience
- LEED GA within 6 months of hire
- One Living Design accreditation of your choosing: LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation
What You'll Get
Salary range: $103,500–$138,000, commensurate with experience, education and skillset.
- Medical, dental, and vision insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan and paid time off
- Professional development stipend and dedicated continuing education time
- Performance-based bonuses
- Access to firmwide affinity groups and leadership development programs
- Studio initiatives and events; a team that actually likes each other
Our Commitment
Our culture is grounded in a firmwide commitment to Justice, Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (JEDI) — not as a tagline, but as how we hire, promote, and build teams. We conduct annual pay equity audits and train all managers on pay practices. We believe inclusion drives creativity.
How To Apply
Please submit a resume and a compact, representative portfolio (no larger than 4MB). Show us what you've led, not just what you've touched.
Perkins&Will is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, genetic information, marital status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.
Pay Transparency: We are committed to pay equity. Compensation decisions are based on qualifications, skillset, and experience. Employees may discuss their own compensation without fear of retaliation. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
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Qualifications Behaviors Preferred Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with DisabilitiesThis employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Skills Required
- Bachelor’s degree in architecture or a related discipline
- Architectural license
- 8–10+ years of experience
- Building, zoning, and energy code fluency
- Experience developing preliminary design studies through contract documents and specifications
- Construction contract administration experience on MEP-intensive projects
- Consultant coordination across mechanical, electrical, and process engineering disciplines
- Advanced Revit proficiency
- Rhino and Grasshopper proficiency for conceptual and computational modeling
- Microsoft 365 and Adobe Creative Cloud proficiency, including InDesign and Photoshop
- Experience with Enscape, Lumion, or V-Ray for visualization
- LEED Green Associate certification within six months of hire
- One Living Design accreditation, such as LEED AP with Specialty, BREEAM AP, WELL AP, SITES AP, CPHC/CPHD, or ILFI Living Future Accreditation
- Environmental analysis tools such as Ladybug or Climate Studio
- Physical modeling experience using 3D printing or laser cutting
Perkins&Will Compensation & Benefits Highlights
The following summarizes recurring compensation and benefits themes identified from responses generated by popular LLMs to common candidate questions about Perkins&Will and has not been reviewed or approved by Perkins&Will.
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Inclusive Benefits Coverage — Inclusive health benefits extend to same-sex spouses and domestic partners and include coverage for gender confirmation surgery, reinforced by repeated external recognition for LGBTQ equality.
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Healthcare Strength — Health coverage spans dental, vision, disability, life, and medical insurance, alongside FSA options and related support programs that broaden access to care.
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Retirement Support — Retirement support includes a 401(k) with employer matching and is complemented by performance bonuses that add to total rewards.
Perkins&Will Insights
What We Do
Since 1935, we’ve believed that design has the power to make the world a better, more beautiful place. That’s why clients and community members on nearly every continent partner with us to design healthy, happy places in which to live, learn, work, play, and heal. We’re passionate about Living Design, a philosophy that guides our work and emphasizes poetics and beauty; conceptual clarity; research and innovation; technology and tectonics; community and inclusion; resilience and regeneration; and health and well-being. Our team of over 2,500 professionals in 30 studios worldwide provides interdisciplinary services in architecture, interior design, branded environments, urban design, landscape architecture, and more. Our partners include Schmidt Hammer Lassen Architects; Portland; Nelson\Nygaard; and Pierre-Yves Rochon (PYR). We’re also part of the Sidara Collaborative, a global network of leading designers, engineers, planners, and consultants.
