Associate (Project Designer/Architect)

Michael Hsu Office of Architecture is an award-winning, fully integrated architecture and interior design practice with offices in Austin and Houston. Our work is rooted in hospitality and placemaking and includes diverse projects that range from large mixed-use developments, adaptive reuse projects, public realm design, architectural branding, single family homes, hotels, restaurants, workspaces, and bespoke furniture design. We work throughout Texas and across the country in cities such as New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and Denver.

About the Position

We are seeking an experienced Project Designer/Architect to join our Houston office as an Associate. This position is ideal for a designer who enjoys both leading projects and staying closely connected to the work itself. Associates at MHOA are trusted project leaders who guide clients, manage teams, and drive project outcomes. They are also experienced practitioners who contribute meaningfully to design direction, technical problem-solving, documentation, coordination, and project delivery throughout the life of a project

The ideal candidate brings a strong portfolio of built work, experience leading architectural projects from concept through construction, and the confidence to navigate client relationships, team coordination, and project challenges with minimal oversight. They are equally comfortable presenting to a client, mentoring a designer, reviewing drawing sets, coordinating consultants, or stepping into the work directly to help solve a problem, advance a design idea, or keep a project moving.

This is a hybrid position based in Houston, TX, requiring a minimum of three days per week working in person from our Houston office.

Responsibilities Include

• Leading architectural projects from concept through construction while remaining actively engaged in the design process
• Balancing design excellence, client expectations, project schedules, and budgets to achieve successful project outcomes
• Overseeing teams of architects, designers, and cross-disciplinary consultants
• Providing design direction, technical guidance, feedback, and mentorship to project teams while remaining connected to the day-to-day work
• Leading complex, high-visibility projects with minimal oversight, contributing directly to design development, technical detailing, documentation, coordination, and project problem-solving as needed
• Representing our office to clients and within the market
• Building and maintaining strong client relationships while acting as the primary point of contact, guiding clients through vision, scope, budget, schedule, and project execution
• Coordinating the integration of engineering, specialty, and consultant disciplines, ensuring compliance with applicable codes and standards while maintaining the technical quality of project deliverables
• Helping to shape the office's architectural portfolio and contributing to office-wide initiatives

Job Requirements

• 8+ years of professional architectural experience, including previous experience in leadership roles and managing multiple projects and teams
• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Architecture from an accredited university (architectural licensure is not required, but preferred)
• Ability to commute to our Houston, TX office a minimum of three days a week
• Proven ability to lead projects and teams across all phases of design and construction
• Demonstrated experience serving as both a design leader and client lead on architectural projects
• Strong understanding of building systems, building codes, construction technologies, and environmental sustainability, and the ability to integrate them into project solutions
• Proficiency in Revit, Sketch Up, the Adobe Creative Suite, and AutoCAD
• Strong communication, presentation, and leadership skills
• Ability to multi-task and manage multiple projects concurrently across various scales, typologies, and phases of design
• Positive attitude and willingness to work within a team

Work Environment & Physical Requirements

This position is primarily performed in an office environment, with periodic travel to project sites, construction sites, client meetings, vendor showrooms, and other project-related locations.

To perform the essential functions of this position, an employee must be able to:

• Remain stationary and work at a computer workstation for extended periods throughout the workday
• Frequently operate a computer and other standard office equipment.
• Communicate effectively with clients, consultants, contractors, vendors, and team members in person, by phone, and electronically
• Travel to project sites, client meetings, construction sites, and vendor locations as needed
• Move throughout active construction sites, existing buildings, project sites, and showroom environments, which may include walking, standing, climbing stairs, bending, reaching, and navigating uneven surfaces
• Observe and assess project conditions, construction progress, design details, and installed work
• Occasionally transport project materials, samples, presentation materials, or equipment weighing up to 25 pounds
• Visually review drawings, specifications, project documentation, and digital design tools for extended periods

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of this position.