Senior Architectural Designer

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 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 represents the next generation of architectural leadership, blending creativity, research, and technology to shape what architecture can become. This Senior Designer is digitally fluent and strategically minded, leveraging advanced visualization tools and AI-enabled workflows to deepen exploration and expand design possibility. Beyond technical capability, this individual is a compelling design storyteller who translates complex challenges into clear, inspiring narratives through drawings, models, and presentations. Curious, iterative, and human-centered, they bring demonstrated authorship of impactful built work and a strong command of healthcare design and planning.

Responsibilities

• Foster a culture of design excellence. Develop and implement inspiring design strategies that align with the firm's goals and client objectives.
• Lead and develop design teams, fostering a culture of collaboration, creativity, and excellence. 
• Serve as a thought leader in the design industry, participating in professional organizations, outreach, and mentorship of design staff. 
• Collaborate with the development and implementation of firmwide design guidelines and standards. 
• Collaborate with clients to understand project goals, constraints, and opportunities. 
• Maintain quality control and design consistency across all projects. 
• Contribute to business development efforts by supporting proposals and presentations. 
• Create and execute impactful design solutions that elevate the overall client experience and drives business success. 
• Promote an award-winning portfolio and a global perspective to the firm’s healthcare design practice. 
• Provide technical expertise including strategic facilities planning, medical planning and design, lean healthcare, and sustainability. 
• Represent the firm in client meetings, design reviews, and industry events.
• Present at industry conferences. 
• Uphold the highest standards of design and professionalism.
• 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.
• 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.
• Flexibility in work hours, including occasional extended hours, may be required to meet project deadlines and business needs.
• Other duties as assigned.

• Professional degree in Architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch) from an accredited institution.
• Licensed Architect. 
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in architectural design, with at least 5 years in a leadership role preferred.      
• Ability to work well under pressure, managing multiple projects and prioritizing deadlines. 
• Strong portfolio showcasing exceptional creativity and innovative and high-quality design work. 
• Excellent leadership, communication, emotional intelligence, and collaboration skills.
• Proficiency in design software such as Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite. 
• Ability to balance creativity with technical and financial feasibility. 
• Experience working with diverse project types, including private healthcare and federal.
• 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.
• 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.