About us
Emotive Architecture is a boutique, fast-moving architecture firm in DC. We work on multifamily housing, institutional buildings, and adaptive reuse projects across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. We're a certified DC SBE and Maryland MBE/SBE/DBE firm.
We care as much about how a project feels to the people using it as we do about how it's built. We see design as a problem-solving tool that delivers real results for our clients and the people who use the space. We've built our reputation on documentation that holds up, clean, coordinated, and easy for contractors to build from.
We're a boutique team, so every person here owns real work. You won't be buried on one task for months. You'll run projects. This is an in-office role. We work face to face because it makes coordination faster and the team stronger.
Our culture
A good fit matters to us as much as the resume. Emotive's mission is to elevate through experience. We want every project, and every person on our team, to walk away inspired by both the process and the result.
We build our culture around six values:
- Belief in the Possible. We solve problems creatively to inspire.
- Results Oriented. We get it done.
- Engagement. We collaborate.
- Growth & Learning. We encourage progressive transformation.
- Design Integrity. We pay attention to detail and use sound design principles.
- Communication and Listening. We practice active listening.
Position details
- Full time, 40 hours a week, Monday through Friday.
- Based in our DC office during normal business hours. This role does not offer remote or hybrid work.
- Occasional additional time may be needed to meet project deadlines.
- This is an exempt, salaried position under the Fair Labor Standards Act.
What you'll do
You'll take ownership of multiple small to mid-size projects from start to finish. That means managing the schedule, the budget, and the client relationship, and making sure the drawings and coordination hold up at every stage.
Some of what's on your plate:
- Lead full project coordination with structural, MEP, lighting, and civil consultants.
- Guide projects from early design through construction, keeping the design intent intact the whole way.
- Run site visits, submittals, and RFIs during construction.
- Talk directly with clients about schedule, scope, and budget, and keep them in the loop.
- Help estimate fees and shape proposals for new work.
- Mentor junior staff and review their work.
- Represent Emotive at industry events and in business development conversations.
What you need
- A B.Arch or M.Arch degree.
- 5 to 8 years of professional experience on large-scale commercial or residential projects.
- A portfolio that shows real skill in clean, well-coordinated construction documents. We've built our name on this, so it matters here more than most places.
- Real comfort working independently. You should be able to take a project and run with it without someone checking in on every step.
- Strong knowledge of building and zoning codes, especially in residential and mixed-use work across different jurisdictions.
- Solid understanding of how building systems and components fit together, structure, envelope, MEP, so your detailing holds up, not just looks good on paper.
- Genuine curiosity about the built environment, with a bit of a nerdy streak for design and construction details, plus the drive to spot problems on your own and dig until you find the answer.
- An appreciation for how the different disciplines connect, structural, MEP, civil, and so on, so your drawings actually coordinate instead of just sitting next to each other.
- Working knowledge of CAD or BIM software required. We use ArchiCAD, so you'll need to get comfortable with it quickly if it's new to you.
- A reliable personal vehicle and a valid US driver's license. This role includes regular travel to project sites in Maryland and Virginia.
- Licensure is a plus, though not required.
What matters most to us
We'd rather hire for the right fit than the perfect resume. Here's what stands out to us:
- You take initiative. You don't wait to be told what's wrong or what's next.
- You're confident enough to push back, respectfully, even with a principal, if you think a decision needs a second look.
- You think in three dimensions before you touch a computer.
- You take ownership. When something on your project goes wrong, you're the one who steps up, not the one who waits to be asked.
- You know how to manage a client relationship, not just talk to a client. That means reading what they actually need, setting honest expectations, and keeping them calm when a project hits a snag.
- You're comfortable talking fees, budgets, and business with clients, not just drawings.
- You want to grow with a boutique firm where your work is visible and your voice matters.
What we offer
- Health insurance
- Consistent schedule, no weekend or late-night surprises
- Professional development support, with membership fees covered up to $1,000 a year
- Real promotion potential as the firm grows
- 10 days paid leave, 5 wellness days, and 6 federal holidays
How to apply
Send your resume and portfolio. Tell us about a project you took from concept through construction with little oversight. We want to know what that looked like for you.
Disclaimer - The information contained herein is not intended to be an all-inclusive list of the duties and responsibilities of the job, nor are they intended to be an all-inclusive list of the skills and abilities to conduct the job. Management may at its discretion, assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $85,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- Dental insurance
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Referral program
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- This role requires strong working knowledge of how buildings are put together (structure, envelope, and building systems) and how building and zoning codes apply to real projects. How would you rate your depth in this area?
Education:
Experience:
- US architectural practice: 5 years (Required)
License/Certification:
- Registered architect license (Preferred)
Ability to Commute:
- Washington, DC 20036 (Required)
Work Location: In person
