Design Principal, Architecture & Interiors - Washington, DC

Join McKissack and McKissack as Design Principal, Architecture and Interiors. Join a team that invests in your success and rewards ambition, integrity, and collaboration. Responsibilities • Design Leadership • Lead design vision from early concept through design development • Create high level conceptual sketches and narratives that translate client goals into clear architectural ideas • Serve as the primary design voice in client meetings, interviews, and presentations • Set the overall design direction and guide teams through refinement and execution • Client Engagement • Partner directly with clients to understand mission, culture, and functional needs • Build trust with senior stakeholders through strong listening, clarity of thought, and design confidence • Act as a creative advisor who helps clients make informed design decisions • Project and Team Collaboration • Work closely with architects, interior designers, and technical staff to develop concepts into coordinated design solutions • Provide design guidance and mentorship to project teams throughout the design process • Collaborate with outside design partners and specialty consultants as needed • Market Focus • Corporate real estate including commercial office, hospitality, and government funded housing • Cultural facilities including landmarks, arenas, convention centers, libraries, museums, and cultural centers • Institutional work including healthcare, civic, government, and public safety facilities Requirements • Registered Architect in good standing • 20 or more years of professional architectural experience • Recognized design leader with a strong portfolio of built work • Proven ability to lead conceptual design and early project vision • Strong freehand or digital sketching ability • Experience working directly with clients in public and private sector environments • Ability to inspire, guide, and elevate design teams • Strong communication and presentation skills It is our policy to provide equal opportunity for all persons, without regard to race; color; sex; gender identity; sexual orientation; religion, religious practices and observances; national origin, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions; age; genetic information; status as a protected veteran or spouse/family member of a protected veteran; or disability, in all phases of the employment process and in compliance with applicable laws and regulations.