Junior Architectural Designer Jobs in Reston, VA

An award-winning architecture firm is seeking a Junior Architectural Designer to support the delivery of complex embassy campus projects around the world. This role focuses heavily on production support and document development, offering a strong opportunity to build technical skills while contributing to meaningful, large-scale international work. You will work closely with experienced Project Architects, Project Managers, and senior technical leaders, gaining exposure to all phases of project delivery, including schematic design, design development, construction documents, and consultant coordination. The position offers direct mentorship, a clear path for long-term professional growth, and the chance to participate in high-profile government and federal projects.

• Produce and revise architectural drawings in Revit across all phases of complex embassy and international projects.
• Support the development of construction documents and comprehensive technical drawing sets.
• Incorporate redlines and design revisions accurately, efficiently, and in alignment with project standards.
• Assist with drafting floor plans, elevations, sections, details, and schedules to support project delivery.
• Coordinate drawing updates and maintain well-organized project documentation throughout the project lifecycle.
• Ensure all assigned work meets quality standards, adheres to deadlines, and complies with project requirements.
• Assist project teams during schematic design and design development phases by contributing to design solutions.
• Support design studies, presentations, and graphic production for internal and external stakeholders.
• Help translate design concepts into coordinated, constructible drawing packages.
• Participate in internal project meetings and coordination sessions with multidisciplinary teams.
• Assist with consultant coordination and interdisciplinary project reviews to maintain alignment across disciplines.
• Support project teams with information gathering, project organization, and tracking of deliverables.
• Collaborate closely with architects, designers, and consultants to maintain project progress and resolve design or documentation issues.
• Engage in mentorship opportunities and actively develop technical and professional skills to take on increasing project responsibilities over time.

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture.
• 2–5 years of architectural experience in a professional setting.
• Proficiency in Revit, including experience performing design changes and updates within Revit models.
• Experience producing construction documents and technical drawing sets for commercial or institutional projects.
• Understanding of architectural detailing, building systems, and construction documentation processes.
• Experience with schematic design, design development, and construction document phases.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and maintain accurate documentation.
• High attention to detail and commitment to producing precise, coordinated drawings.
• Ability to work collaboratively within a team-oriented, fast-paced environment.
• Interest in learning from senior architects and growing into increased project responsibilities.
• Eligibility to obtain a security clearance for high-profile government and federal work, as required by project needs.

• Experience with institutional, civic, federal, or international projects.
• Exposure to construction administration processes.
• Experience supporting consultant coordination and interdisciplinary project reviews.
• Strong graphic and presentation skills to support design studies and client presentations.
• Interest in pursuing professional registration and advancing toward technical Project Architect or Project Manager roles.
• Willingness to travel for international project site visits when needed.
• Motivation to participate in an official mentoring program and structured professional development.

The work environment is casual, inclusive, and fast paced, with a strong emphasis on collaboration and professional growth. The firm operates from a brand-new office space and encourages teams to be in the office several days per week, with a hybrid schedule that typically involves 2–4 days on site. The culture includes regular team-building activities such as monthly events and weekly lunch-and-learn sessions where the office provides lunch, fostering continuous learning and connection across the team. The studio supports a heavy backlog of work, offering stability and opportunities for overtime during busy periods. Team members have the chance to work on high-profile government and federal projects, support varied international assignments, and potentially travel to project sites. An official mentoring program pairs new hires with mentors to support their chosen career path, whether technical or project management focused, and to encourage progress toward professional registration. The environment values diligence, accountability, and a strong work ethic while maintaining a supportive and approachable atmosphere.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Washington, DC.

The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $40.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Washington,DC.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 21, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.