Architect or Architectural Staff II
Kaplan Thompson, Portland, OR, United States
We are seeking an Architectural Designer with 5 to 8 years of professional experience; those with more experience are also encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity to get in the door with a design focused, mission-based, award-winning firm named to the Architect 50: Top 50 Firms in Sustainability in the U.S.
Timing Accepting applications until: 04/01/2026
Interviewing applicants: 04/01/2026 through 04/17/2026
Estimated start date: early May 2026
Responsibilities Design Skill
Participate in conceptual design and provide full support throughout entire projects
Coordinate project design, develop creative design concepts for projects, and prepare presentation and design drawings
Technical Ability
Assist in preparing project specifications
Provide specific technical design aspects of major projects, including BIM, investigation, evaluation, and recommendation of design solutions that best meet the client’s needs
Carry out complex or novel assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures
Coordinate with Principals and more experienced Architectural Staff on appropriate technical solutions and strategies
Occasionally provide technical guidance to less experienced architectural staff
Project Management
Have full responsibility for managing all aspects of small, simple projects with guidance from Principals and Senior Staff, including estimating scope of work
Assist in preparing strategic plans for project success
Monitor and assist in coordination of administrative and technical project efforts to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective execution of assigned projects
Actively monitor client budgets, schedules, and programs
Assist in management of project communications and documentation
Understand fee estimation, how to determine scope of work, and how to prepare proposals and contracts on simple projects
Communication
Be relied upon to present directly to the client on technical and design solutions
Provide management of project communications and documentation pending project-specific role
Teamwork
Work in a collaborative team structure with other architects and designers on single-family and multi-family residential projects, restaurants, and sustainability-focused institutions
Follow up with junior staff to see if they have any questions or when task load might be light
Industry Awareness
Strive to incorporate sustainable solutions throughout your work
Produce work that is consistent with the quality and design aesthetic of the firm, and the region
Monitor activity in relevant industry organizations
Self-development
Proactively participate in office culture
Strive for professional and personal development
Business Development
Participate in lead nurturing
Cultivate relationships with clients and potential clients
Leadership
Champion one or more internal initiatives
Introduce new initiatives that will benefit the organization
Contribute to advancing the skills of others
Requirements Qualifications: Required: BArch or BS in Architecture completed and 5+ years of experience, full competence in all conventional aspects of architecture, location within commuting distance of our office in Portland, and the ability to attend construction site visits within a 3-hour range of Portland, regular in-person client meetings, and in-person office events. Access to the office requires climbing one flight of stairs. Construction Administration requires navigating job sites lacking accessibility features.
Skills: Required: Excellent aesthetic and/or technical design skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, 3D drafting with BIM modeling experience, ability to delegate tasks to less experienced architectural staff
Preferred: Education/interest/experience in the field of sustainable design, experience with ArchiCAD, software proficiency with Mac, Microsoft Office, Gsuite, Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote or Powerpoint
Compensation The expected starting range for this role, based on our 2026 salary bands, is $67,203 to $84,150 base salary for unlicensed professionals and $78,783 to $96,024 base salary for licensed professionals, plus benefits that equal a total compensation package in the range of $80,000 to $109,000. Role and compensation will be commensurate with experience and skill.
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Timing Accepting applications until: 04/01/2026
Interviewing applicants: 04/01/2026 through 04/17/2026
Estimated start date: early May 2026
Responsibilities Design Skill
Participate in conceptual design and provide full support throughout entire projects
Coordinate project design, develop creative design concepts for projects, and prepare presentation and design drawings
Technical Ability
Assist in preparing project specifications
Provide specific technical design aspects of major projects, including BIM, investigation, evaluation, and recommendation of design solutions that best meet the client’s needs
Carry out complex or novel assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures
Coordinate with Principals and more experienced Architectural Staff on appropriate technical solutions and strategies
Occasionally provide technical guidance to less experienced architectural staff
Project Management
Have full responsibility for managing all aspects of small, simple projects with guidance from Principals and Senior Staff, including estimating scope of work
Assist in preparing strategic plans for project success
Monitor and assist in coordination of administrative and technical project efforts to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective execution of assigned projects
Actively monitor client budgets, schedules, and programs
Assist in management of project communications and documentation
Understand fee estimation, how to determine scope of work, and how to prepare proposals and contracts on simple projects
Communication
Be relied upon to present directly to the client on technical and design solutions
Provide management of project communications and documentation pending project-specific role
Teamwork
Work in a collaborative team structure with other architects and designers on single-family and multi-family residential projects, restaurants, and sustainability-focused institutions
Follow up with junior staff to see if they have any questions or when task load might be light
Industry Awareness
Strive to incorporate sustainable solutions throughout your work
Produce work that is consistent with the quality and design aesthetic of the firm, and the region
Monitor activity in relevant industry organizations
Self-development
Proactively participate in office culture
Strive for professional and personal development
Business Development
Participate in lead nurturing
Cultivate relationships with clients and potential clients
Leadership
Champion one or more internal initiatives
Introduce new initiatives that will benefit the organization
Contribute to advancing the skills of others
Requirements Qualifications: Required: BArch or BS in Architecture completed and 5+ years of experience, full competence in all conventional aspects of architecture, location within commuting distance of our office in Portland, and the ability to attend construction site visits within a 3-hour range of Portland, regular in-person client meetings, and in-person office events. Access to the office requires climbing one flight of stairs. Construction Administration requires navigating job sites lacking accessibility features.
Skills: Required: Excellent aesthetic and/or technical design skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, 3D drafting with BIM modeling experience, ability to delegate tasks to less experienced architectural staff
Preferred: Education/interest/experience in the field of sustainable design, experience with ArchiCAD, software proficiency with Mac, Microsoft Office, Gsuite, Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote or Powerpoint
Compensation The expected starting range for this role, based on our 2026 salary bands, is $67,203 to $84,150 base salary for unlicensed professionals and $78,783 to $96,024 base salary for licensed professionals, plus benefits that equal a total compensation package in the range of $80,000 to $109,000. Role and compensation will be commensurate with experience and skill.
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