Senior Project Designer

Department: Craft & Product

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: Austin, Texas

Description

Role & Responsibilities

• Embody Pfluger’s core values. Consistently demonstrate the principles of Do What’s Right, Build Synergy, Make a Difference, and Never Settle in all professional activities.
•  Oversee the pre-design phase and set the tone for the “breaking of the bread” meeting. Inspire the client and drive the visioning process.
• Supervise the comprehensive analysis of the project site to incorporate geotechnical, environmental, social, historic, and cultural conditions. Oversee space planning and block planning efforts with a high attention to detail. 
• Drive strategic research on building materials, sustainable design practices, and current technologies to influence firm-wide innovative design processes.  
• Lead the development of the project story and program. Guide the conceptualization of building design from both a functional and aesthetic perspective, aligning with the client’s requirements, guiding principles, and budget. 
• Drive the development of design concepts through sketches, physical models, electronic models, diagrams, massing studies, and other visual formats to express the design intent. 
• Act as the primary design representative in presentations to the project team, client, and building user groups. 
• In partnership with the project team, lead the evaluation and selection of building systems and materials.
• Partner with the Interior Designer to direct the development of advanced floor plans, furniture layouts, and room arrangements to maximize function and aesthetics. 
• Guide the development and refinement of design concepts and narratives, integrating creative ideas and technical aspects.
• Implement sustainable design principles into the building design and surrounding environment whenever possible. 
• Provide expert guidance on building codes and regulations to assure project compliance. 
• Lead internal design reviews and pin ups from the pre-design stage to the schematic design stage. Provide constructive feedback during all project stages to improve design solutions. 
• Lead the presentation of building design to key stakeholders during early project phases. Address feedback and refine solutions as needed. 
• Oversee and review architectural documents from schematic design to construction documentation, ensuring accuracy and alignment with the design vision. 
• Coordinate and strategically collaborate with architects, consultants, contractors, industry representatives, and other stakeholders to ensure the seamless integration of design components. Address project complexities with expertise. 
• Advise on site visits in partnership with the Project Manager, providing input to ensure that construction aligns with design intent. 
• Strategically guide value engineering processes to ensure design quality and intent are maintained. 
• Approve substitution requests related to materials or design intent. 
• Partner with the Project Manager in responding to requests for information (RFIs) by clarifying design-related issues or addressing gaps in the documentation that could impact the building's design.
• Lead multiple project teams, ensuring effective collaboration throughout all project phases.
• Serve as a key leader within the organization, contributing to strategic initiatives and the advancement of the firm.
• Act as an ambassador and steward of the firm’s portfolio of work with the ability to guide and educate others. 
• Mentor and support junior staff (Technical Staff I – Project Designer III), providing guidance and fostering a culture of collaboration and professional development. Support architectural staff in pursuit of licensure and provide opportunities to earn AXP hours.

Skills, Knowledge & Expertise

• Alignment with Pfluger’s purpose of “inspiring people to create a more meaningful human experience,” with a commitment to continuous learning and improvement.
•  Extensive knowledge of architecture and design principles and practices.  
• Strong visual and design skills, with the ability to effectively communicate ideas through drawings and models.
• Demonstrated proficiency in projects of the greatest size and complexity, historically ensuring design excellence, accuracy, and timely delivery.
• Experience in educational projects is required. 
• Proficiency in Revit is essential. Experience with Bluebeam, other relevant design software, and Microsoft Office products is highly preferred. 
• Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to engage, mentor, and motivate clients and internal teams.  
• Exceptional organizational skills, attention to detail, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. 
•  Extensive knowledge of building codes, regulations, construction processes, and project documentation. 
• Demonstrated problem solving skills and the ability to work under pressure in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability and prior experience overseeing and guiding project teams.
•  Professional degree in Architecture is required. 
• Licensed Architect in the state of Texas is required.
• Minimum of ten years of architectural experience. 

Location