Senior Architectural Designer

Description:

Join a team where design meets purpose. At RLF, our mission is to create high-performing environments that inspire and nurture the human spirit. For over 90 years, we have been a nationally recognized architecture, engineering, and interior design firm. With a focus on healthcare and federal projects, we deliver impactful, innovative spaces that shape communities and improve lives. We create exceptional places for extraordinary people.

With deep expertise in healthcare and federal projects, our work is grounded in innovation, performance, and human-centered design. We are a collaborative team that values curiosity, creativity, and craft - balancing big ideas with real-world impact. If you're passionate about pushing the boundaries of design and influencing the future of the built environment, we’d love to create something extraordinary together.

We are seeking a Senior Architectural Designer who brings exceptional conceptual talent, advanced digital skills, and the ability to communicate ideas with clarity and inspiration. This role is ideal for a designer who thrives in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and is driven by exploration, curation, technology, and meaningful design outcomes.

The ideal candidate will represent the next generation of architectural excellence blending creativity, research, and technology to imagine what architecture can become. The senior designer will be digitally fluent, with strong command of tools such as SketchUp, Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, Enscape, Lumion, and other advanced visualization platforms, and embraces AI as a creative collaborator to accelerate exploration and expand design possibilities. This designer is also a clear storyteller, able to communicate complex ideas through drawings, models, renderings, and presentations that inspire clients and teams. Curious, iterative, and human-centered, they bring exceptional building design talent, with experience in healthcare design and planning a strong plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead and contribute to all phases of architectural design, from concept through technical development, with a strong emphasis on design excellence and innovation.
• Generate compelling design concepts, diagrams, digital models, and visualizations that clearly communicate design intent.
• Collaborate closely with architects, engineers, interior designers, and consultants to produce integrated, high-performing solutions.
• Develop and refine digital models using SketchUp, Revit, and other advanced tools to support design exploration and documentation.
• Produce high-quality renderings, animations, and immersive visualizations using platforms such as Enscape, Lumion, or similar tools.
• Utilize AI-assisted design tools to enhance conceptual generation, optimization, and communication.
• Participate in project presentations, workshops, and client engagements, presenting ideas with clarity, confidence, and purpose.
• Contribute to project planning, including schedules, work plans, and coordination efforts.
• Uphold RLF’s design standards, guidelines, and best practices across all project phases.
• Mentor and support junior designers; foster a culture of learning, experimentation, and excellence.
• Collaborate with project managers and technical teams to ensure alignment between design vision, technical execution, and client goals.
• Maintain high levels of organization, accountability, and attention to detail throughout the design process.
• Flexibility in work hours, including occasional extended hours, may be required to meet project deadlines and business needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree architecture or related discipline. Master’s degree preferred.
• Five years of architectural design experience. Experience in healthcare design and planning strongly preferred.
• Exceptional design talent and a strong portfolio showcasing conceptual strength, digital skills, and built or unbuilt work. Full portfolio must be submitted for consideration.
• Advanced proficiency in SketchUp, Revit, Adobe Suite and rendering software such as Enscape, Lumion, Twinmotion, or equivalent.
• Experience with AI-driven design workflows or a demonstrated interest in emerging design technologies.
• Strong visualization, diagramming, and presentation skills with the ability to craft compelling narratives around design intent.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multidisciplinary teams.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated interpersonal, leadership and emotional intelligence skills.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks.
• Experience with healthcare design guidelines (FGI, AHCA) a plus.
• Familiarity with MS Office, Bluebeam Revu, Autodesk Navisworks, and BIM360 Design a plus.

Why join us?

• Flexible Work Schedules
• Hybrid office (In-office T, W, Th; WFH M, F)
• PTO and holidays
• Paid Health, Dental, and Vision Coverage
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Paid Short & Long-Term Disability
• Paid Life and AD&D benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Supplemental Life and Ancillary Insurance Options
• Professional Certification Reimbursement
• Professional Organization Membership Reimbursement
• Wellness Incentives
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Student Loan Assistance
• Identity Theft Plan and Legal Plan
• Volunteer Time Off
• Pet Insurance

Amount of Travel Required

This position may require occasional travel, some of which may be international.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

RLF conducts background checks and drug screening after an offer of employment has been made. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by RLF or an RLF client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Agency Disclaimer

All vendors must have a signed RLF Placement Agreement from the Director of Human Resources to receive payment for placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the RLF staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to RLF, and any resume submitted to any employee outside of RLF Human Resources, will be considered property of RLF. RLF will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.

Visa Sponsorship

RLF is not accepting applications for sponsorship at this time (e.g., H-1B or TN Visas).

EEO Statement

RLF is committed to attracting and retaining top talent by fostering a creative, inclusive, and respectful work environment. We consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, marital status, veteran status, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws. RLF is proud to be an equal opportunity employer and encourages candidates from all backgrounds to apply.