Senior Project Architect

Overview

Our 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.

Title: Senior Project Architect

Location: Remote, Los Angeles–based - with required travel

Salary Range: $

Reports To: Studio Director

You are a senior architectural leader who brings deep technical expertise and strong project leadership, grounded in community-engaged, justice-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—ideal for someone who wants to grow beyond execution into impact, strategy, and organizational contribution.

• Based in Los Angeles, CA and eligible to work in the U.S without sponsorship.
• This role does not require a set number of in-office days; however, you must be available for in-person client meetings, site visits, and regular project-related travel.
• 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 (California or multi-state licensure a plus).
• Advanced proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, Rhino, Sketch Up, and Adobe Creative Suite.
• Strong knowledge of building codes (including IBC and California 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.

• Fabrication, modular construction, or product development experience
• Trauma-informed or restorative justice frameworks
• 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

• Lead design and technical documentation across complex architectural and development projects of varying scales, including new construction, renovation, adaptive reuse, and emergent typologies.
• Serve as the senior architectural lead for DJDS s modular room initiative, guiding the pilot and shaping its evolution into a scalable, revenue-generating product line.
• Partner with internal and external collaborators to translate the modular room pilot into clear design standards, narratives, and materials that support future partnerships and project launches.
• 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.

• Partner closely with the Studio Director and Design Director on project execution,…