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Associate Principal Architect Jobs in California

HDR

Associate Principal, Interiors

San Diego, CA · On-site

Associate Principal Interiors, interior design, interior architecture, healthcare, hospital Preferred Qualifications * California healthcare experience * LEED AP * WELL AP Qualifications Required ...

HDR

Associate Principal, Interiors

San Diego, CA

Associate Principal Interiors, interior design, interior architecture, healthcare, hospitals Preferred Qualifications * California healthcare experience * LEED AP * WELL AP Required Qualifications

Northern Impact

Associate Principal

Walnut Creek, CA · On-site

Overview Award-Winning 50-person distinguished architectural practice is actively seeking an Associate Principal to join their growing Walnut Creek studio. The firm possesses expertise in programming ...

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Showing results 1-20

All JobsAssociate Principal Architect JobsAssociate Principal Architect Jobs in California

Associate Principal Architect information

See California salary details

$79.4K

$169.1K

$228K

How much do associate principal architect jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 2, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate principal architect in California is $169,138.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $143,100.00 and $192,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Principal Architect vs Senior Architect?

AspectAssociate Principal ArchitectSenior Architect
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Architecture, licensure often requiredBachelor's or Master's in Architecture, licensure often required
Work EnvironmentLeadership roles, project oversight, strategic planningDesign development, project execution, technical expertise
Employer & Industry UsageArchitecture firms, large construction companiesArchitecture firms, design consultancies

The Associate Principal Architect typically holds a leadership position with responsibilities in project management and strategic planning, whereas the Senior Architect focuses more on technical design and project execution. Both roles require similar credentials and are common in architecture firms, but the Associate Principal Architect often has a broader scope of responsibilities and influence within the organization.

What is an associate principal architect?

An associate principal architect is a senior-level professional responsible for leading architectural design and project oversight within an organization. They typically have extensive experience in architecture, strong leadership skills, and may oversee teams, ensure compliance with standards, and collaborate with clients and stakeholders. This role often requires advanced knowledge of design tools, industry regulations, and project management practices.

What are the most commonly searched types of Principal Architect jobs in California?

The most popular types of Principal Architect jobs in California are:

What are popular job titles related to Associate Principal Architect jobs in California?

For Associate Principal Architect jobs in California, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Associate Principal Architect jobs in California look for?

The top searched job categories for Associate Principal Architect jobs in California are:

What cities in California are hiring for Associate Principal Architect jobs?

Cities in California with the most Associate Principal Architect job openings:

Associate Principal Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Principal Architect job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 92% In-person, and 8% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $169,138 per year, or $81.3 per hour.

Associate Principal or Principal Architect- Education

Lionakis

Irvine, CA • On-site

$169K - $220K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Associate Principal or Principal - Education
Are you a strategic, relationship-driven leader with a passion for shaping the future of education environments? Do you thrive at the intersection of design excellence, market growth, and mentoring high-performing teams? If so, we're looking for you: a Principal to lead, grow, and elevate our education practice in Irvine.
This role blends executive leadership, business development, and project oversight, offering the opportunity to influence firmwide strategy while building meaningful, long-term client partnerships. You'll play a key role in advancing our mission, vision, and standards of excellence within the Education market.
We offer a competitive compensation package, robust bonus program, flexible work options, comprehensive health benefits (medical, dental, and vision), generous paid time off, and a 401(k) with employer match.
As an Associate Principal or Principal, you will...
Lead (or Help Lead) and Grow the Education Practice
  • Serve as the regional leader for the Education market, building and sustaining strong client relationships throughout Southern California.
  • Collaborate with Market and Firm leadership to develop and execute long-term market and practice strategies.
  • Provide leadership for planning, programming, design, and project management across a portfolio of complex education projects.
  • Participate in firmwide leadership initiatives, strategic planning efforts, and management committees.
Drive (or Help Drive) Business Development and Client Engagement
  • Lead marketing and business development efforts aligned with the Firm's strategic plan.
  • Identify and pursue new market opportunities, including team formation, proposal development, and participation in interviews.
  • Represent the Firm at industry events and within professional and client networks.
  • Meet or exceed performance metrics related to business development, contracts secured, and client satisfaction.
Provide Project Oversight and Financial Leadership
  • Serve as Principal-in-Charge for assigned projects, overseeing quality, profitability, staffing, and revenue performance.
  • Review and develop fee proposals, service scopes, and staffing plans to support project success.
  • Support project managers with contract negotiations, additional services, and financial performance monitoring.
  • Lead Quality Control/Quality Assurance efforts and champion Firm standards and lessons learned.
Mentor and Develop Talent
  • Foster a collaborative, respectful, and high-performing work environment.
  • Act as a mentor and coach to support professional growth, leadership development, and succession planning.
  • Collaborate across studios, markets, and disciplines to support Firm-wide initiatives and shared goals.

The Must-Haves
  • Bachelor's degree in architecture, engineering, or interior design (or equivalent).
  • Minimum of 16 years of relevant professional experience.
  • Established West Coast professional network within the K-12, Community College, and/or Higher Education market.
  • Strong leadership, communication, and relationship-building skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook).
  • California Licensed Architect

The Like-to-Haves
  • LEED accreditation.

Why You'll Love Lionakis...
At Lionakis, people and design come first. You'll find:
  • A collaborative, design-forward culture that values creativity, mentorship, and shared success.
  • The chance to shape stories that impact real communities.
  • Hybrid work flexibility, every-other-Friday off options, and a comprehensive benefits package (bonus plan, 401(k) with match, health/dental/vision, generous PTO).
  • A workplace deeply committed to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion - in our projects, our people, and our culture.
Join us and help bring our design vision to life-one story at a time.
Salary Range: $185,000-$210,000 annually. Compensation and level DOE.
Studies have shown that underrepresented individuals like women; LGBTQIA+; and BIPOC, among others, are less likely to apply for jobs unless they believe they meet every single one of the qualifications in a job description or posting. Because we are committed to building a diverse and inclusive organization, we understand the best candidate may come from a non-traditional background to our field of work. We strongly encourage you to apply, even if you don't believe you meet every one of the qualifications described above. Diversity makes us better.

Apply