Deceder Group is searching for an Architectural Project Designer II // Project Designer II with 6 to 9 years of experience to join a talented, close-knit group of architects and interior designers. You will be the point of contact on smaller jobs, own schematic design and construction documents on your projects without oversight, and mentor Designers and Project Designers. Experience on complex workplace projects and secure space design (SCIF / ICD-705) is a strong plus.
Both titles describe the same role. Architecture candidates hold the architectural title; interior design candidates hold the design title. The titles Architect and Interior Designer are reserved for team members who hold the license or certification.
About Deceder Group
Deceder Group is a next-generation design firm that balances creativity with dependability. We embrace technology exploration, recognize the value of diverse perspectives, and hold ourselves to a high standard—so you can too.
We provide progressive ideas and unwavering trust rooted in a shared desire to return personalized attention and service to the design process. Our teams are built around individual expertise, work ethic, and culture, bringing a distinct experience and result to each unique project. We believe practical solutions don’t need to come at the expense of experimentation and collaboration. Discover the Deceder difference on your next project.
As an expanding firm, there is plenty of room to grow. We support certifications, continuing education, and networking, and every team member has a voice in the firm’s direction. Project types include:
- Commercial Workspaces (professional services, non-profits and associations, tech and corporate headquarters, government contractors, and law firms)
- Secure Spaces (SCIF design to ICD-705) and GSA / Government projects
- Capital Expenditure (spec suites, roof terraces, conference centers, lounges, and building lobby renovations)
- Building Modernization (building additions, façade renovations, and core element reconfiguration)
- Light Medical, Retail, Restaurants, and Hospitality
What you’ll do
- Lead programming and visioning on most jobs and quantify client needs into layouts
- Own schematic design on your jobs; prepare and present the vision presentation
- Curate material direction, finish palettes, and FF&E
- Produce construction documents without oversight, including unique details beyond the template (building and envelope details for architecture; millwork and interior assemblies for interiors)
- Spot code deficiencies on sight and keep your own work free of code mistakes
- Act as point of contact on smaller jobs; run meetings and issue minutes and action items
- Identify the consultants a job needs, request proposals, build their deliverables into the schedule, and resolve coordination issues
- Run construction administration on your own projects: submittal log, RFIs, site visits, field reports, punch list, and pay application review
- Flag scheduling conflicts and budget implications early; adjust the project plan in Monograph
- Mentor Designers and Project Designers; lead coordination for a project component or phase
- Act as a team player in a growing firm by taking on additional responsibilities as needed
What you’ll bring
Experience and education
- 6 to 9 years of experience in an architecture or interior design practice
- Bachelor’s degree in architecture (NAAB-accredited or similar) or interior design (CIDA-accredited or similar)
Technical skills
- Sets up the project Revit model from the template; links and manages consultant and base-building models
- Builds custom families and detail components and answers Revit questions on your job
- Assembles complete client presentations in InDesign and reviews others’ pages for brand consistency
- Firm tools: Revit 2023 or later (every Deceder Group project is done in Revit), AutoCAD Architecture 2024 or later, Enscape, InDesign, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Monograph, and Microsoft Office
- Familiarity with Claude and other AI tools is a plus; Claude is used on approved firm accounts only
Licensure and certifications
- LEED or WELL credential expected
- Architecture path: AXP complete and significant progress on the ARE; registered architect (RA) encouraged
- Interior design path: sitting the IDIX and IDPX and working toward NCIDQ
Business development
- Attend eight (8) to 12 industry events a year
- Member of a client-facing professional group and a regular at its events
- Supply technical content for proposals; attend client meetings; take part in pitches and interviews
- Identify opportunities and pass leads to leadership
Communication and leadership
- Leads client communication on your projects
- Triages your inbox and team chats so the important items get answered first
- Solves problems and escalates the right issues; builds an early leadership voice in the firm
Our values
We look for people who share our five core values: Approachable, Clever, Dependable, Intuitive, and Progressive.
Benefits
- Paid time off with no set annual limit, available from your first day
- Paid company holidays
- Health insurance with a firm contribution toward your premium; dental and vision coverage paid by the firm for employee-only plans
- 401(k) with a company match, starting after six (6) months
- Twelve (12) weeks of paid parental leave at full salary after one year with the firm
- Paid bereavement leave
- Monthly tax-free commuting and parking reimbursement
- Continuing education and certification maintenance paid by the firm; exam fees (ARE, NCIDQ) reimbursed when you pass; a salary increase when you earn a credential such as LEED or WELL
- A current laptop, a work iPhone, and the software you need to do your best work
Deceder Group embraces a hybrid environment, with up to two (2) work-from-home days a week. We believe in the importance of in-person collaboration while balancing the ability to complete other tasks from the location of your choice. Our office is in an exciting and accessible location in the Ballston area of Arlington, complete with snacks, Nespresso, and additional onsite amenities. New team members are expected in the office more often while they get to know the team and our projects.
How to apply
Apply through our LinkedIn job listing, or send your resume and portfolio to Dan Deceder at dan@decedergroup.com.