Architectural Designer (L3)

The role / What are we looking for?<br />KPMB is seeking a Designer (Career Level 3) with a passion for architecture, drawing, and design excellence to join our new office in Cambridge, Massachusetts. This role involves working closely with project leads to deliver high-quality architectural solutions from concept through to construction for projects ranging in size and complexity.<br /><br />The ideal candidate will possess excellent technical and design capabilities, with meticulous attention to detail, and a comprehensive understanding of the construction process.<br /><br />The ideal candidate will be a Designer who strives for design excellence and has experience working end-to-end on architectural projects. This role requires a natural orientation towards collaboration and teamwork, and the ability to work independently on deliverables.<br /><br />Select key responsibilities:<br />Technical expertise and execution<br /><br />Recognize and deliver aspirational design work/concepts that elevate project deliverables across project phases.<br /><br />Lead the production of and produce detailed technical drawings, ensuring design intent is clearly communicated and aligned with project goals.<br /><br />Apply advanced knowledge of building technology, construction methodologies, and materials to guide design execution and resolve complex technical challenges.<br /><br />Independently interpret and integrate building codes, zoning regulations, and architectural standards into design documentation with minimal oversight, ensuring compliance.<br /><br />Refine and coordinate design documentation, incorporating redlines, field measurements, and site conditions.<br /><br />Champion Revit and BIM standards and requirements, including digital file management, development of standards, and ownership of model accuracy and error resolution.<br /><br />Demonstrate comprehensive understanding of drawings in relation to design intent, project scope, constraints, and budget, contributing to cost analysis.<br /><br />Prepare presentation materials and generate plans, sections, elevations, and details aligned with SD, DD, and CD phases.<br /><br />Integrate multidisciplinary inputs (MEP, structural, lighting, etc.) into design solutions.<br /><br />Demonstrate skills in construction administration including providing and coordinating RFI responses, reviewing submittals, and performing site observations and reports.<br /><br />Participate in and facilitate design discussions, providing strategic input, mentoring junior designers, and fostering a collaborative and inclusive design culture.<br /><br />Project coordination and support<br /><br />Work collaboratively with project teams, including architects, engineers, consultants on project coordination, and clients, to deliver comprehensive and cohesive project documentation that ensures alignment across disciplines.<br /><br />Participate in contract administration and shop drawing review processes, contributing to the alignment with project specifications and client expectations, inviting the contribution of other junior staff members.<br /><br />Maintain and organize project documentation and files, ensuring accuracy, accessibility, and compliance with firm standards.<br /><br />Monitor project milestones, resource allocation, and deliverables, proactively communicating status updates and identifying potential risks or inefficiencies.<br /><br />Support project leads, as required, in financial management by tracking resource usage, identifying budget concerns, and seeking workflow improvements.<br /><br />Team development &amp; Accountability<br /><br />Model accountability by consistently evaluating the impact of your work on project outcomes and team dynamics and proactively adjusting your approach to elevating design quality and collaboration.<br /><br />Guide day‑to‑day project tasks for junior staff, helping them understand project goals and their role in achieving them.<br /><br />Foster a respectful, inclusive, and collaborative team environment, encouraging open communication and diverse perspectives.<br /><br />Provide clear, candid, and timely feedback to support the development of others, while remaining empathetic and supportive.<br /><br />Contribute to a culture of continuous improvement by sharing lessons learned, participating in post‑project reviews, and supporting knowledge‑sharing initiatives.<br /><br />Innovation and sustainability<br /><br />Stay current with industry trends and technical innovations, incorporating new ideas, models, and technologies into projects.<br /><br />Advocate for and implement sustainable design practices, ensuring adherence to the projects and firm’s environmental standards.<br /><br />Participate in post‑project reviews to identify areas of improvement and implement lessons learned in future projects.<br /><br />Candidate profile &amp; qualifications<br /><br />Master’s Degree (M.Arch) in architectural studies with 5+ years of professional experience in an architectural role.<br /><br />Actively pursuing or possesses architectural registration in Massachusetts and/or AIA membership.<br /><br />Working proficiency in 3D modelling software including Revit, Rhino, Grasshopper, familiar with Autodesk Construction Cloud (ACC), AutoCAD, MS Office Suite, Adobe Creative Cloud (Affinity a bonus), and 3D visualization software including Enscape (Twinmotion is a bonus).<br /><br />Working proficiency with the Massachusetts State Building Code (MSBC) or, where applicable, International Code Council (ICC).<br /><br />Demonstrated ability to create thorough design documentation and renderings, supported by examples from completed architectural projects.<br /><br />Strong demonstratable knowledge of building technology and assembly, construction methodology, and materials application as it relates to functional design.<br /><br />Prior experience in mentoring and guiding junior team members, contributing to their growth and development.<br /><br />Ability to manage project tasks, coordinate with consultants, and support end‑to‑end project delivery, with experience ranging from concept design through to CA.<br /><br />Excellent attention to detail, accountability, and ability to prioritize in a fast‑paced environment, as evidenced by consistent quality of work and effective time management.<br /><br />Strong verbal, written, and visual communication skills, demonstrated in the delivery of clear project presentations, reports, and effective stakeholder engagement.<br /><br />Ability to work effectively and collaboratively in a creative team environment as well as independently.<br /><br />Active participation in professional development, knowledge sharing, and practice improvement initiatives, as demonstrated by involvement in training, committee work, or internal knowledge‑sharing platforms.<br /><br />#J-18808-Ljbffr