Project Captain

Practice, a purpose-driven architecture studio in Pasadena, is seeking a Project Captain to support and elevate design excellence across civic, education, and affordable housing projects. This role bridges design and delivery—supporting creative development, coordinating documentation, and helping guide collaborative workflows.

We’re looking for someone who thrives in a team setting, brings clarity and care to project coordination, and is passionate about design that advances equity and community impact. Strong communication, technical proficiency, and a mentoring mindset are essential.

At Practice, culture is shared and shaped by everyone. If you’re excited to contribute to a studio rooted in co-creation, inclusive impact, and everyday optimism—we’d love to hear from you.

Design. This role plays a central part in shaping design excellence across all project phases—from early concept through detailed documentation. Exceptional modeling, graphic, and design development skills are essential, alongside the ability to generate and evolve creative ideas both independently and in collaboration with others. Responsibilities include leading and participating in internal design charrettes, coordinating the iterative development of design concepts, and preparing clear, compelling presentation materials.

Research into materials, systems, and finishes will also inform the work, with thoughtful selections made in alignment with the project’s vision and the firm’s values. Through this role, curiosity, inclusion, social responsibility, and craftsmanship are not only practiced—but embodied.

Project Execution. Successful design is inseparable from clear, rigorous execution. This position supports all phases of project delivery, contributing to the development of technical documentation, specification coordination, and construction administration. Working in close collaboration with Project Architects and Project Managers, this role helps ensure timely, accurate progress across design milestones, including input on schedules, material reviews, and quality control. Depending on project scope and scale, responsibilities may also include aspects of project management.

A spirit of mentorship, collaboration, and accountability is essential, as is a commitment to firmwide delivery standards and an inclusive, growth oriented studio culture.

Team Leadership. Leadership is cultivated through trust, clarity, and care. This role supports the organization and direction of project teams, helping to coordinate workflows and uphold standards across disciplines and collaborators. Strong communication skills are key, fostering cohesion across teams while promoting open dialogue and shared purpose. Mentorship is a core expectation, with senior staff encouraged to guide, support, and empower emerging designers.

Through active engagement, this position plays a role in championing the studio’s mission and values, building a practice where listening, learning, and meaningful impact are part of the everyday.

Quality Control and Technical Leadership. At the heart of design excellence is precision. This role ensures that project documentation reflects both the firm’s technical rigor and each client’s specific requirements, contributing to a body of work that is consistent, resilient, and visionary.

Marketing and Business Development. Practice thrives on deep and lasting relationships and partnerships with a wide and diverse network of clients, colleagues, and collaborators. It is incumbent on all of us at Practice to develop and maintain positive connections with internal and external collaborators, and to deepen our relationships by seeking opportunities to engage with industry and professional events. This role is particularly critical in that context as it requires significant interface with clients and external collaborators.

Culture Stewardship. More than a workplace, Practice is a platform for shared values and collective aspiration. This role helps nurture and embody the studio’s mission and guiding principles – Co Creation, Inclusive Impact, Holistic Sustainability, Joy, Listening, and Optimism. Through…