Job Title:
Architectural Designer Job Description This role offers the opportunity to contribute to a diverse portfolio of projects spanning luxury residential, dispensary, commercial, aviation, entertainment, sports, retail, institutional, and hospitality work. You will join a small, collaborative practice that delivers planning, design, construction administration, inspection, and code consultation services. The firm's current projects include a high school sports training facility, children's gymnastics facilities, residential homes, yacht clubs, funeral homes, and restaurants, with approximately 60-70% of the work in commercial projects and 30-40% in residential. You will work closely with the principal and small project teams, taking part in all phases of design and documentation from concept through construction, and will see projects through from start to finish in a hands-on, growth-oriented environment. Responsibilities Assist with architectural design and documentation across multiple active projects rather than focusing on a single assignment. Develop detailed drawings and complete construction document sets using Revit for both ground-up and renovation projects. Support projects from schematic design through design development and construction administration. Contribute to concept and schematic design, helping to shape design intent for commercial, mixed-use, multifamily, and residential projects. Produce and coordinate full sets of construction documents (CDs), ensuring clarity, accuracy, and constructability. Collaborate closely with the principal architect and small project teams to refine design solutions and maintain design quality. Help resolve design issues as they arise and revise drawings and documents as projects evolve. Coordinate with consultants and internal team members to align architectural documents with engineering and other disciplines. Maintain accuracy, consistency, and quality control throughout all phases of project documentation. Apply a basic understanding of detailing and construction documents to support buildable, code-compliant designs. Participate in construction administration tasks as needed, supporting the project team from early design through project completion. Communicate clearly with team members, respond to feedback, and incorporate direction efficiently to avoid repeated mistakes. Essential Skills 3-5 years of professional architectural experience. Proficiency in Revit, including the ability to produce full sets of construction documents (CDs). Experience with commercial, mixed-use, or multifamily projects, with openness to working across various building types. Ability to support projects from schematic design through construction administration. Basic understanding of detailing and construction documentation for both ground-up and renovation projects. Strong architectural fundamentals and problem-solving ability. Strong communication skills and attention to detail. Ability to learn quickly and avoid repeated mistakes, demonstrating coachability and accountability. Comfort working in a small, in-office environment. Reliability, punctuality, and self-awareness in day-to-day work. Motivation to work on a variety of project types rather than specializing in a single typology. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience with both commercial and residential design, including aviation, entertainment, and club-related projects. Proficiency or familiarity with AutoCAD in addition to Revit. Experience in design development and schematic/concept design phases. Interest in or experience with luxury residential, retail, institutional, and hospitality projects. Desire to work directly with a principal architect and receive mentorship from leadership with decades of experience. Interest in pursuing architectural licensure, with support and arrangements provided by the firm. Comfort in a hands-on role where work has a direct impact on project outcomes. Appreciation for project variety and unique, high-profile, non-repetitive projects. Ability to thrive in an informal, non-corporate culture that values mutual respect and work-life balance. Strong sense of accountability and ownership over assigned tasks and deliverables. Work Environment The role is based in a small, close-knit office with two full-time employees and one administrative team member, fostering direct collaboration and frequent interaction with the principal architect. Standard hours are approximately 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. The firm prefers team members to work fully in office to support collaboration and mentorship, while remaining flexible for occasional work-from-home needs. The culture is informal and non-corporate, emphasizing mutual respect, work-life balance, and direct communication rather than heavy hierarchy. The team structure gives clients direct access to the principal architect throughout the design and construction process, creating a highly engaged, service-oriented environment. You will work primarily with Revit and may also use AutoCAD and other design tools as needed. Occasional team lunches and a supportive approach to professional development, including assistance with licensure arrangements, contribute to a positive and growth-focused workplace. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Fairfield, CT. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $24.03 - $48.46/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) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Fairfield,CT.
Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.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.