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Independent Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

A-TEK Inc.

Solutions Architect

Rockville, MD

$160K - $180K/yr

The Solutions Architect provides independent architecture oversight for NIH applications, integrations, and microservices. The architect reviews proposed solutions, confirms alignment with ...

Finastra

Principal AI Security Architect

Atlanta, GA · Hybrid

Drive red-team/blue-team exercises for AI systems and coordinate independent architecture reviews across product lines. Required Qualifications Use your skills to make an impact * Bachelor's or ...

A-TEK Inc.

Solutions Architect

Rockville, MD · On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

The Solutions Architect provides independent architecture oversight for NIH applications, integrations, and microservices. The architect reviews proposed solutions, confirms alignment with ...

A-TEK Inc.

Solutions Architect

Rockville, MD · On-site

$160K - $180K/yr

The Solutions Architect provides independent architecture oversight for NIH applications, integrations, and microservices. The architect reviews proposed solutions, confirms alignment with ...

Sonsoft Inc

Data Architect

Pennington, NJ · On-site

$64.25 - $82.75/hr

Able to independently architect solutions, lead code reviews and ensure quality throughout * the life of each project. * Experience in full software development lifecycle of the Data Warehousing ...

NEOGOV

Software Architect (Java)

El Segundo, CA · On-site +1

$67 - $90.50/hr

Proven ability to lead the technical direction of a product domain, making high-stakes architectural decisions independently. * Architecture Mastery: Deep expertise in Distributed Systems ...

The Architect's Newspaper

$90 - $120/hr

Qualified candidates will work both independently and on teams, on all phases of design ... Architecture. * Proficiency with Revit, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office Suite is required.

New

Everhart Architecture Company

Architect

West Chester, PA · Hybrid

$110K/yr

Everhart Architecture Company is looking for a technically strong, proactive Senior Technical Architect to take ownership of residential projects, keep work moving independently, and help lead a ...

Everhart Architecture Company

Architect

West Chester, PA · On-site

$90K - $110K/yr

Everhart Architecture Company is looking for a technically strong, proactive Senior Technical Architect to take ownership of residential projects, keep work moving independently, and help lead a ...

NEOGOV

Software Architect (Java)

El Segundo, CA · On-site +1

$67 - $90.50/hr

Proven ability to lead the technical direction of a product domain, making high-stakes architectural decisions independently. Architecture Mastery: Deep expertise in Distributed Systems ...

NAC Architecture

Architect

Columbus, OH

$81K - $100K/yr

Architect I - $71,700 - 83,000, Architect II - $81,000 - 100,000 Who We're Looking For Are you ... Independently produce high-quality plans, specifications, and oversee material selection.

NAC Architecture

Architect

Columbus, OH · On-site

$81K - $100K/yr

Architect I - $71,700 - 83,000, Architect II - $81,000 - 100,000 Who We're Looking For Are you ... Independently produce high-quality plans, specifications, and oversee material selection.

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Independent Architect information

See salary details

$46.5K

$128.8K

$201.5K

How much do independent architect jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 23, 2026, the average yearly pay for independent architect in the United States is $128,756.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $91,000.00 and $166,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Independent Architect vs Architectural Designer?

AspectIndependent ArchitectArchitectural Designer
CredentialsLicensed architect, professional certificationTypically not licensed, may have design degrees
Work EnvironmentSelf-employed, firm owner, or freelanceDesign firms, studios, or in-house teams
Industry UsageDesigns and oversees construction projectsFocuses on conceptual design and planning

Independent Architects are licensed professionals responsible for project design and oversight, often working independently or owning firms. Architectural Designers usually focus on conceptual work without licensure, often employed in design studios. The main difference lies in licensing, responsibilities, and scope of work.

Can an independent architect work independently?

Yes, an independent architect can work independently by managing their own projects, clients, and schedules. They typically need relevant licensure, strong design skills, and proficiency with architectural software to operate without direct employer oversight.

How much do independent architects make?

Independent architects' earnings vary based on experience, location, and project scope, but they typically charge hourly rates ranging from $50 to $150 or more, or project fees that can range from several thousand to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Successful independent architects often need strong design skills, client management, and business acumen to maintain steady income.
More about Independent Architect jobs

What job categories do people searching Independent Architect jobs look for?

The top searched job categories for Independent Architect jobs are:

Independent Architect jobs near you
Infographic showing various Independent Architect job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 7% Contract. Highlights an 91% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $128,756 per year, or $61.9 per hour.

Venture Architect

Roadrunner Venture Studio

Albuquerque, NM • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 11 days ago

Job description

Roadrunner Venture Studios is the nation's leading platform for founding breakthrough ventures in deep technology. Our mission is to turn frontier tech into breakthrough companies for the benefit of the American people. Together with engineers, scientists, and entrepreneurs, we build products, create business models, recruit teams, align companies with their first customers, and provide initial funding. Our Venture Studios focuses on advanced energy, advanced materials, advanced manufacturing, and quantum technologies.
At Roadrunner, the future doesn't just happen - we make it happen. We take our work seriously, without taking ourselves too seriously. We believe progress must be imagined and built - and we build it together.
The Role
Reporting to the Head of Venture Studios, the Venture Architect is the single accountable owner of each new venture's commercial viability. You'll operate at the intersection of technology, market, and team-taking ideas from zero to seed-ready companies.
This is an accountable hands-on leadership role. You set strategic direction, lead specialists through a rigorous business building methodology, and make the judgment calls that determine whether a technical innovation becomes an investable company.
You'll join a team that moves fast, experiments often, and believes conviction beats consensus. Every company you build contributes to something bigger: building meaningful, durable companies in deep tech.
What You'll Do
The Venture Architect is accountable for 2-3+ ventures simultaneously, from concept through seed readiness, within a pod structure. You are the single point of accountability across each company - integrating product, technical, commercial, and team efforts. Your team executes within their domains; you set direction, ensure coherence, and make the calls.
Venture Design & Validation
Accountable for the commercial thesis and vision behind each venture.
  • Define what must be true at each stage and direct teams toward real validation, not theory
  • Commission and oversee customer discovery; engage directly with buyers when required to validate demand and secure early traction
  • Direct the development of business models, unit economics, and pathways to first revenue and scale
  • Partner with technical leads to evaluate feasibility and guide product direction
  • Evaluate inbound opportunities and determine fit within the studio model

Pod Leadership & Strategic Direction
Accountable for cross-functional velocity, coherence, and judgment.
  • Orchestrate pod execution: lead weekly pod meetings, run 1:1s, and ensure alignment across functions (product, GTM, talent)
  • Think ahead across venture development dimensions (technology, market, business model, team) - anticipating risks and opportunities 1-2 phases in advance
  • Serve as the primary thought partner to founders and internal leads; the first call when decisions need to be made
  • Work directly with founders in a CEO-like partnership to shape strategy, execution, and outcomes
  • Make clear calls on resource allocation, priorities, pivots, and when to stop pursuing a path
  • Drive structured stage-gating with clear criteria, timelines, and evidence

Capital, Team & Venture Transfer
Accountable for making each venture investable, leadable, and independent.
  • Architect the Series Seed funding strategy; direct preparation of investment materials and data rooms
  • Define the commercial launch strategy including regulatory navigation and lighthouse customer acquisition
  • Execute a structured handoff from studio to standalone entity, ensuring continuity of strategy, governance, and key relationships through the transition

Who You Are
You're a builder. You've helped create something from zero and know what it actually takes to get to traction. You're comfortable operating across product, commercial, and team-and you take accountability for outcomes.
You're also:
  • Experienced with 8+ years in a combination of entrepreneurial execution (startups, venture, venture capital, venture studios), top-tier consulting, or operating roles
  • Hands-on, with a bias toward action-you're willing to roll up your sleeves and do the work
  • Able to manage through others while staying close enough to execution to ensure quality
  • Comfortable being prescriptive and having a strong point of view when needed
  • Skilled at navigating ambiguity and making decisions with imperfect information
  • Familiar with deep tech domains such as energy, manufacturing, or compute
  • Capable of working across startups and corporate partners, including engaging incumbents and piloting solutions
  • Strong in both quantitative and qualitative thinking - from market sizing to business model design
  • Financial modeling depth: able to direct, review, and stress-test driver-based financial models, and build from first principles when required

Why Roadrunner
We earn trust through fairness, integrity, and consistent delivery. We win together, own together, and run together. We're building companies that matter-and having a blast doing it.
Roadrunner Venture Studios sits at a unique intersection of frontier research and real-world deployment. We work closely with national labs like Sandia and Los Alamos, alongside the New Mexico state ecosystem-including NM SIC and EDD-to translate breakthrough science into venture-backable companies. This positioning gives us privileged access to technologies, partnerships, and non-dilutive capital that most early-stage builders never see.
Roadrunner Venture Studios is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer that proudly pursues and hires a diverse workforce. We do not make hiring or employment decisions on the basis of race, color, religion or religious belief, ethnic or national origin, nationality, sex, gender, gender-identity, sexual orientation, disability, age, military or veteran status, or any other basis protected by applicable local, state, or federal laws or prohibited by Company policy. We strive for a healthy and safe workplace and strictly prohibit harassment of any kind.

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