Senior Project Architect​/Design Lead – Practice; formerly GGA+

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Practice, a mission-driven architecture studio in Pasadena, CA, is hiring a Senior Project Architect / Design Lead to help guide our social justice-driven design across civic, education, and affordable housing projects. This role blends design leadership with technical oversight, offering the opportunity to shape projects holistically while mentoring and supporting others.

You’ll lead design direction, contribute to project delivery, and collaborate with internal and external teams to ensure clarity, creativity, and care at every stage. We’re looking for someone who values curiosity, equity, and social responsibility, and who sees architecture as a collaborative practice rooted in purpose.

If you’re excited to lead with empathy, inspire through design, and make a meaningful impact, we’d love to hear from you.

Values and Responsibilities

Design.This role calls for strong design sensibilities and the ability to translate creative vision into clear, compelling work across all phases of a project. Expectations are for demonstrated excellence in design, modeling, and graphic skills, with the ability to independently develop creative design concepts throughout all project phases. Contributing both independently and as part of a team, this role works in close partnership with the Director of Design to shape thoughtful, innovative approaches tailored to each project’s goals and context.

Practice’s Senior Project Architect/Design Leads participate in and often lead collaborative design charrettes, support the evolution of conceptual ideas, and produce high-quality presentation and documentation materials. Ongoing research into materials, systems, and finishes will be an important part of the role’s process, informed by the project’s design intent and the firm’s commitment to social and environmental responsibility. This role is an opportunity to not only contribute expertise, but to foster curiosity, inclusion, and craftsmanship through a collaborative and reflective design process.

Project Execution We cultivate a positive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment and seek individuals who will embrace these values while taking on the responsibility of supervising and mentoring staff. This role demands strong organizational skills, ensuring the timely and accurate completion of plans, specifications, material approvals, and construction tasks. You will oversee the interpretation, organization, execution, and coordination of assignments, exercising professional independent judgment.

For more complex or unique issues, you will collaborate with senior leaders for technical guidance and overall project approval. Additionally, you will direct and coordinate the consultant team, ensuring that the project team adheres to the firm’s project delivery processes and standards. Depending on the scope and complexity of the project, you may also be assigned certain Project Management responsibilities.

Team Leadership & Culture Ambassador. As a senior team member, your leadership will help shape the tone and trajectory of each project team. You will foster professional relationships within project teams and take on a leadership role as a champion for others. Strong communication and listening skills will be key as you guide, mentor, and uplift others in their development and support an atmosphere of openness and respect.

Staff in this role should be able to actively champion our Mission and Values—curiosity, inclusion, social responsibility, and collaborative design—both within the office and beyond. Our internal culture is engaging, fun to work with, and eager to make a meaningful impact.

Quality Control and Technical Leadership .With support from Practice leadership, you’ll contribute to the quality and consistency of project documentation, helping ensure it meets firm-wide standards, aligns with client expectations, and complies with applicable codes and regulations. Your technical insight and collaborative problem-solving will support well-coordinated, buildable solutions.

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