Design Principal
About the role
A renowned design firm seeking a Design Principal who will continually elevate the quality of our work in the DC (Tysons Corner) office through positive leadership, a collaborative work style, and deep design expertise.
Responsibilities
- Lead design of a wide range of project types with a focus on Community, Higher Education and Recreation/Sports.
- Partner with a transdisciplinary team, listen intently, ask insightful questions, surface and frame the real challenges, generate and test ideas, and guide teams toward solutions that measurably advance your clients’ strategic and operational goals.
- Blurring the line of where architecture ends and interior design begins.
Requirements
- Design leadership.
- A talented designer and creative problem solver that is a leader | doer with deep experience designing projects across various market segments.
- Thought Leader.
- A Registered Architect with boundary pushing ideas, active involvement in industry-related organizations and/or recognition of award-winning designs.
- Sustainable & Future-Thinker.
- Someone knowledgeable of and passionate about sustainable, agile and regenerative design.
- Team Leader.
- A leader that is a champion for others and that builds followership through empathetic listening, genuine care, and collaboration.
- Great Communicator.
- Someone who can simplify complex ideas, articulate them in a way that people understand, in turn, is able to listen to understand.
- Business Developer.
- A leader that builds relationships, partners with principals to win projects and advances office and firm-wide growth.
- Continuous Learner.
- An individual who has knowledge of the latest design trends, discourse, and technologies including working knowledge of the latest design software and techniques.
- Active Mentor.
- A teacher/mentor who can lead design while working with and developing the talents of others.
- Culture Builder.
- Someone who knows how to have fun, will be joyful to work with and who seeks positive meaningful impacts on others.
Qualifications
- Elevating Performance.
- Contributing to Strategic Growth.
- Reaching Visibility.
- Enhancing Design Culture.
- Collaborating Across Disciplines.
Skills
- Design leadership.
- Talent for design and problem-solving.
- Leadership and collaboration skills.
- Experience in various market segments.
- Boundary-pushing ideas and active involvement in industry-related organizations.
- Passion for sustainable, agile, and regenerative design.
- Empathetic listening, genuine care, and collaboration.
- Ability to simplify complex ideas and communicate effectively.
- Knowledge of latest design trends, discourse, and technologies.
- Working knowledge of latest design software and techniques.
- Teaching and mentoring abilities.
- Positive attitude and ability to have fun.
Benefits
- Exposure to thought leadership opportunities that uncover breakthrough ideas.
- The chance to help shape the evolution of design and discourse within our firm by collaborating with other designers across our entire firm footprint.
- Collaboration within a diversely talented design firm with the support of diverse in-house resources.
- Curious what it’s like to work at Little? Check out our video!
Pay
Competitive compensation package.
Schedule
Full-time position.
Why Little
At Little, you'll find yourself surrounded by colleagues with diverse expertise, backgrounds, and perspectives—from different cultures, generations, and disciplines. What truly sets Little apart is our people. Ask anyone here what keeps them energized each day, and you’ll hear it’s the relationships, the collaboration, and the shared passion for making a difference. This diversity fuels our exceptional culture and gives each of us the opportunity to help shape a better future. We embrace a spirit of teaching and learning through mentoring that spans generations, talents, and interests—offering everyone a broad range of experiences and growth. We care deeply about our clients and about each other. That care sparks creativity, excitement, and a sense of purpose that’s felt throughout our work and our workplace.
Application Instructions
To apply, please submit your letter of interest, resume, and portfolio to .