Sr Project Architect - Science + Technology

Overview:

Senior Project Architect - Science + Technology

Location:

San Francisco, CA

HGA is seeking a highly accomplished Senior Project Architect to join our Science + Technology (S+T) practice in San Francisco. This is a unique opportunity to help shape innovative environments that advance discovery, research, healthcare, and technological innovation for higher education, corporate, government, and healthcare clients.

As a Senior Project Architect, you will lead the technical vision, execution, and delivery of complex projects, transforming ambitious design concepts into integrated, high-performing, and buildable solutions. Partnering closely with Project Managers, Senior Designers, Principals, and market sector leadership, you will guide project teams through technical strategy, quality assurance, project coordination, and risk management while ensuring exceptional outcomes for our clients.

Our highly regarded S+T teams design sophisticated laboratories, research, healthcare, and innovation environments that foster creativity, support experimentation, enhance occupant wellness, and reduce environmental impact. Through a research-driven approach, we create solutions that serve as catalysts for scientific advancement and organizational success.

This role offers significant leadership opportunities, including mentoring project teams, advancing technical standards and best practices, and serving as a trusted advisor throughout the design and construction process. As a key member of the project leadership team, you will develop complex design and technical solutions, cultivate strong client relationships, and help maintain HGA's commitment to design excellence, technical quality, and outstanding project delivery.

The ideal candidate brings extensive experience delivering projects in California, particularly laboratories, research, and/or healthcare environments, along with exceptional communication, presentation, time management, and relationship-building skills. This position provides meaningful opportunities for client engagement and leadership while contributing to some of the most innovative and impactful projects in the Science + Technology market.

In this role you will:

Technical Leadership

• Lead technical execution of large, complex, or multi-phase projects.
• Oversee development of construction documents, details, and specifications.
• Resolve design and construction challenges with strategic, buildable solutions.
• Ensure compliance with codes, regulations, and firm standards.
• Guide integration of building systems, materials, and sustainability strategies.

Project Oversight

• Manage technical scope, schedule, and deliverables across disciplines.
• Lead consultant coordination and interdisciplinary collaboration.
• Review and respond to RFIs, submittals, and field reports with authority.
• Support construction administration with site visits, punch lists, and issue resolution.
• Champion quality control and documentation standards across projects.

Mentorship & Collaboration

• Mentor Project Architects and junior staff in technical development.
• Lead internal reviews and design coordination meetings.
• Collaborate with Project Managers and Principals to align design and delivery strategies.
• Contribute to firmwide initiatives in technical excellence and professional development.

Strategic Impact

• Influence firm standards, QA/QC protocols, and BIM workflows.
• Stay current with emerging technologies, codes, and construction methods.
• Represent the firm in client, consultant, and contractor interactions.
• Contribute to proposals, interviews, and strategic project pursuits.

What you will need to have:

• Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture or a related discipline
• 15+ years of professional experience in architecture, design, and…