Architectural Designer

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Architectural Designer Job Description

This Architectural Designer role offers the opportunity to work on commercial, multifamily, mixed-use, hospitality, and larger-scale design projects while contributing meaningfully to a collaborative team. The position focuses on complex, larger-scale developments and requires a strong creative eye, clear communication skills, and a willingness to take ownership of your work. You will engage directly with clients, support design from concept through presentation, and help deliver high-quality visual and technical outputs. This role is ideal for a motivated, adaptable designer who is eager to learn quickly, grow professionally, and thrive in a fast-paced, energetic environment.

• Collaborate with the design team on commercial, multifamily, mixed-use, hospitality, and larger-scale projects from early concept through developed design.
• Develop and refine design concepts through sketches, digital modeling, and rendering tools, ensuring ideas are clearly communicated and visually compelling.
• Produce high-quality graphics, diagrams, renderings, and visual presentations that effectively convey design intent to clients, internal teams, and external stakeholders.
• Prepare presentation materials for client meetings, interviews, and municipal approvals, including boards, slide decks, and supporting documentation.
• Participate actively in client meetings, contribute to design discussions, and confidently represent the firm in a professional manner.
• Coordinate with consultants, internal team members, and project stakeholders to align design direction, resolve issues, and support project progress.
• Assist with the production of construction drawings, architectural drafting, and detailed documentation using Revit, AutoCAD, and related tools.
• Create and refine digital models and visualizations using software such as SketchUp, Lumion, and other rendering tools to support design presentations.
• Use Photoshop, Illustrator, PowerPoint, and similar tools to enhance visual communication and produce polished presentation materials.
• Manage multiple assignments in a deadline-driven environment, balancing competing priorities while maintaining accuracy and quality.
• Contribute to a team culture built on accountability, open feedback, and continuous improvement, actively seeking and applying feedback to your work.
• Demonstrate initiative and ownership by taking responsibility for assigned tasks and proactively identifying ways to improve design and workflow.
• Learn new tools, software, and workflows quickly and apply them effectively to project work.
• Document and communicate your specific contributions on team-based projects for inclusion in presentations and portfolio materials.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited institution.
• Proficiency in Revit, including the ability to produce architectural drawings and documentation.
• Experience with architectural drafting and construction drawings, with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Ability to communicate design ideas clearly through drawings, models, and presentations.
• Strong graphic and visual communication skills, including the ability to create high-quality renderings and presentation materials.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities in a deadline-driven environment.
• Clear verbal and written communication skills, with confidence engaging with clients and internal teams.
• Demonstrated strong design sensibility and creative thinking, with clear design reasoning and problem-solving ability.
• High level of energy, reliability, and work ethic, with a willingness to take ownership of assigned work.
• Ability and willingness to learn new tools, software, and workflows quickly.

• Professional experience in architecture or architectural design is preferred but not required for candidates who demonstrate strong potential.
• Experience with SketchUp for 3D modeling and design visualization is strongly preferred.
• Experience with Lumion and other rendering tools for high-quality visualizations is strongly preferred.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for drafting and construction documentation is highly beneficial.
• Experience producing construction drawings and coordinating documentation for commercial and mixed-use projects.
• Proficiency with Photoshop and Illustrator for image editing, diagramming, and graphic enhancement of presentations.
• Proficiency with PowerPoint or similar tools for creating client-facing presentations.
• Experience working on commercial, office, multifamily, mixed-use, hospitality, or larger-scale design projects.
• Comfort working in a fast-paced, collaborative environment with a variety of project types and scales.
• A portfolio is required and must demonstrate strong graphic and visual communication skills, high-quality renderings and presentation materials, clear design thinking and problem-solving, and specific contributions on team-based projects.

The firm operates as a boutique-sized architectural practice with a diverse portfolio that includes high-end residential, commercial, multifamily, mixed-use, hospitality, and larger-scale developments. The office is located in Royal Oak, MI, in a larger space near the previous location and very close to downtown, providing convenient access to local amenities. Office hours are typically 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., and the environment is described as collaborative, fast-paced, and energetic, with a strong emphasis on teamwork and shared project ownership. From the first day, team members have exposure to a wide range of project types and sizes, ensuring variety and creativity in day-to-day work and enabling faster professional growth than in more narrowly focused firms. The culture prioritizes building and maintaining a strong, supportive company environment, investing time and resources into staff development, and encouraging a healthy work-life balance. The firm supports flexible and hybrid work arrangements for this role, recognizing that it is a heavy production position and allowing work to be completed remotely as long as drawings and deliverables are produced efficiently and on schedule. Full-time employees have access to benefits that include health insurance options, a flexible spending account, and a simple retirement savings plan with employer contributions. The dress code is professional yet practical, appropriate for a design studio environment and for meeting with clients and project stakeholders.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Royal Oak, MI.

The pay range for this position is $28.00 - $35.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Royal Oak,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 3, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on ziprecruiter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.