Architect

At Cushing Terrell, this role is about more than designing buildings—it’s about creating thoughtful, high-performing spaces through collaboration, creativity, and technical excellence. You’ll help lead projects from early visioning and design through construction, working closely with clients, consultants, contractors, and multidisciplinary teams to deliver solutions that balance design intent, functionality, sustainability, and long-term value. As a trusted project leader, you’ll guide technical development, coordinate project teams, and help ensure successful outcomes across all phases of delivery.

We’re seeking a well-rounded architect with diverse project experience and a passion for problem-solving. Experience in grocery retail, food and beverage, or retail environments is valued but not required. Candidates with experience across a variety of project types—including commercial, workplace, civic, education, healthcare, mixed-use, or other complex building sectors—are encouraged to apply. Whether designing customer-facing environments, workplace settings, community spaces, or operational facilities, you’ll help create places that enhance the user experience, support client goals, and make a lasting impact on the people who use them.

Responsibilities

• Build and maintain strong client relationships through exceptional communication, responsiveness, and service.
• Lead projects from initial programming and concept development through construction and project closeout.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while balancing competing priorities, schedules, budgets, and client expectations.
• Collaborate with clients to define functional, operational, and spatial requirements; develop design solutions, specifications, material selections, and project schedules for client review and approval.
• Partner with design leaders and multidisciplinary teams to develop innovative and effective design concepts.
• Conduct research and analysis to inform project design, technical solutions, code compliance, and project delivery strategies.
• Prepare, coordinate, and oversee construction documents for permitting, bidding, and construction.
• Develop and evaluate project construction cost estimates in collaboration with the project team.
• Conduct code analysis and jurisdictional research to support project planning, permitting, and regulatory compliance.
• Perform quality control reviews of drawings, specifications, and project documentation; provide mentorship and constructive feedback to project teams.
• Administer construction contracts, including management of addenda, substitutions, submittals, RFIs, change orders, and other construction-phase services.
• Conduct site observations and field reviews during construction to verify compliance with design intent and contract documents; participate in punch walks and final inspections.
• Coordinate and direct the work of architectural team members, consultants, and other project stakeholders throughout all project phases.
• Contribute to staff mentorship, training, and professional development efforts.
• Foster and maintain positive relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, and internal team members to support successful project outcomes and long-term business growth.

Requirements

• NAAB-accredited Bachelor or Master of Architecture degree.
• 8+ years of job-related work experience with demonstrated competence leading projects, teams, and clients.
• Experience and passion for leading projects and coordinating multidisciplinary teams.
• Current architect license/registration is a plus but not required.

Pay

The expected salary range for this position is $90,000 to $125,000 annually. Actual pay will be determined based on the candidate’s years of experience, licensure status, location, level of proficiency, and other job-related factors. This position is also eligible for an annual performance bonus.

Benefits

Cushing Terrell offers a competitive benefits package, work opportunities in a variety of locations and markets, and a company culture that celebrates all the unique viewpoints and personalities that make up our talented team. View our Employee Benefits Guide.

About Cushing Terrell

Cushing Terrell is a multidisciplinary design firm with 17 offices and more than 500 team members who bring together their expertise to deliver holistic built environments. Leveraging our influence as designers, we work to create sustainable systems and spaces that help people live their best lives. We empower creative designers to discover imaginative, responsible, first-of-their-kind environments while supporting a strong, cohesive team—from our design professionals to our business operations staff. Together, we champion diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, placing people at the center of our practice.