Senior Project Architect - Contractor

Job Description

Job DescriptionOur Work

We are an architecture and real estate development social enterprise creating spaces that embody justice, healing, and self-determination. By designing with communities most impacted by incarceration and disinvestment, we build infrastructure that supports community ownership, redistributes power, and lays the foundation for a world rooted in care, not punishment.

To achieve this mission our team is composed of architects, designers, real estate developers and community members working together to create solutionary spaces and places that bring dignity, well-being and care to the communities we serve.

The Role

Role: Senior Project Architect - Contractor

Location: New York City

Hourly Rate: Commensurate with experience ($125-$175 /hr)

Time Commitment: Part time dependent on available projects

Reports To: Studio Director

You are a senior architectural leader who brings deep technical expertise and strong project leadership, grounded in community-engaged, equity-centered design. You thrive in complex, cross-disciplinary environments and are skilled at translating community input, research, and lived experience into built work across a wide range of project scales and typologies.

You're excited to build systems, mentor others, and advance DJDS's architectural and development practice in ways that meaningfully integrate social justice, community engagement, research, and design excellence. This is a key leadership role within the Design Studio in New York — while initially a part time contractual role there is opportunity for someone who wants to grow beyond project execution into organizational growth, impact, and strategy for the northwest region of the country.

Who You Are

• Based in New York and eligible to work in the U.S.
• Hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture.
• Bring 15+ years of architectural experience, including senior responsibility leading projects across all phases—from pre-design and programming through construction administration.
• Licensed architect or actively on the path to licensure (New York State a plus)
• Advanced proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, SketchUp, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong knowledge of building codes (including IBC and New York standards), construction systems, and complex building typologies, including large-scale development or master planning.
• A clear communicator with high emotional intelligence, adaptability, and leadership presence.
• Justice-centered, collaborative, growth-oriented, and open to feedback.
• Bring a demonstrated interest or experience in community-engaged design, with an understanding that engagement is a core design input—not an add-on.

Experience That's Helpful but Not Required

• Trauma-informed or restorative justice frameworks
• Prior experience working with non-profits and community based organizations
• Working in New York on publicly funded projects
• Public speaking, facilitation, or workshop leadership
• Sustainability, urban design, or master planning experience
• Experience building or leading mentorship and knowledge-sharing initiatives
• Community engagement facilitation

What You'll Lead

• Lead design and technical documentation across complex architectural and development projects of varying scales, including renovation, adaptive reuse, and potentially new construction.
• Translate community engagement findings into clear design strategies, technical deliverables, and narratives.
• Drive QA/QC systems, technical detailing, and construction documentation.
• Own project scopes, schedules, and coordination with consultants, contractors, and partners.
• Represent DJDS in client, community, consultant, and agency meetings.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to shared standards, systems, and organizational knowledge.

Where You'll Collaborate

• Partner closely with the Studio Director and Design Director on project execution, priorities, and growth.
• Work across design, community engagement, and real estate teams to ensure alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
• Collaborate with consultants, contractors, fabricators, clients, and community stakeholders.

How to Apply

Please submit a resume, cover letter, and portfolio.

• Resume and portfolio should be combined into one PDF and uploaded together.
• If your portfolio is hosted online, you may upload your resume and provide a link instead.

Your portfolio should demonstrate:

• Primary authorship and leadership on projects
• Design thinking, technical execution, and collaborative process

Any fabrication, research, or creative work that supports your practice

Ready to Apply?

If this role resonates with you, we encourage you to apply—even if your experience doesn't match every requirement. We value curiosity, lived experience, and a deep commitment to community.

We're building a team that reflects the diversity of the communities we serve, and we're excited to learn more about what you bring to the work.