Senior Designer - Education

HPI Architecture is seeking a Senior Designer to lead the conceptual and design development of complex educational projects. This individual will play a key role in shaping the vision for new and renovated campuses, while collaborating with a talented team of architects, planners, and consultants. The Senior Designer will engage directly with district and college leadership, helping to translate educational goals into impactful, buildable, and inspiring architecture.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the design vision for major K-12 and Higher Education projects from concept through schematic design.
• Develop compelling parti diagrams, site strategies, and design narratives that align with client goals and community values.
• Guide the design team through iterative design exploration, ensuring creativity, functionality, and compliance with DSA and CCCCO standards.
• Collaborate with Principals, Project Managers, and Planners to integrate programming, sustainability, and technical considerations into holistic solutions.
• Present designs to school boards, district committees, and community stakeholders with clarity and confidence.
• Mentor junior designers, supporting growth in design excellence and professional development.
• Stay ahead of trends in 21st-century learning environments, CTE/STEAM program design, sustainability, and ZNE strategies.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited program.
• 10+ years of professional architectural experience, with a strong focus on educational facilities.
• Proven portfolio of built or advanced design work in K-12 and/or Higher Education.
• Strong design leadership skills, with the ability to develop big-picture concepts and refine them into practical, technical solutions.
• Excellent skills in Revit, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, and presentation tools.
• Knowledge of California Building Code, Title 24, DSA review process.
• Exceptional communication skills, both visual and verbal, with experience presenting to clients, boards, and community groups.
• California Architect license preferred but not required.

PHYSICAL STANDARDS

Positions in this class are situated in a standard office environment, resulting in little exposure to the weather and requiring no unusual physical abilities. Other requirements include:

• Near and visual acuity to interpret written documentation, reading very small print, maintains accurate records, recognize people and provide direction.
• Use of hands for simple and firm grasping, as well as fine manipulating ability to reach and handle equipment, records, and reports.
• Higher-level cognitive skills to move quickly from one task to another and to attend to detail. Able to concentrate and set priorities despite distractions.
• Speaking and hearing skills to converse verbally by telephone, in writing, and in person in an appropriate fashion, to ensure customers and employees are properly addressed in a precise manner.
• Ability to travel as needed for client presentations, conferences, or business development meetings.
• We offer a competitive salary and benefits package that offers: Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Short- and Long-Term Disability Insurance, 401(k), along with paid Vacation and paid Holidays.

Recruiters, please do not contact this job poster.

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