ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Senior Project Designer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Quanta Services

Senior Project Manager

Hubbard, OR

$150K - $170K/yr

We specialize in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, which include designing ... Senior Project Manager If you enjoy working with a great group of professionals, are accurate ...

Potelco, Inc.

Senior Project Manager

Hubbard, OR · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

We specialize in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, which include designing ... About this Role Senior Project Manager If you enjoy working with a great group of professionals ...

Potelco, Inc.

Senior Project Manager

Hubbard, OR · On-site

$150K - $170K/yr

We specialize in engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services, which include designing ... About this Role Senior Project Manager If you enjoy working with a great group of professionals ...

Ameresco

Senior Project Manager

Portland, OR

$111K - $161K/yr

Ameresco has an immediate opening for a Senior Construction Project Manager to join our U.S. West ... Lead commissioning activities and ensure systems perform designed. * Develop and manage project ...

Stratus Team LLC

Senior Project Manager

Vancouver, WA · On-site

$150K - $180K/yr

Stratus ® designs spaces, systems, and solutions that perform, endure, and make an impact ... The Role Stratus has recently partnered with Kestrel Engineering and are hiring Sr. Project ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsProject Designer JobsSenior Project Designer JobsSenior Project Designer Jobs in Portland, OR

Senior Project Designer information

See Portland, OR salary details

$28.6K

$81.3K

$128.3K

How much do senior project designer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior project designer in Portland, OR is $81,305.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,200.00 and $96,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior project designer?

A Senior Project Designer is an experienced professional responsible for leading the design aspects of large and complex projects, often within industries such as architecture, interior design, or engineering. They oversee the creative process, collaborate with clients and stakeholders, and ensure that the project vision is executed effectively from concept to completion. Senior Project Designers also mentor junior staff, coordinate with other departments, and ensure that designs meet both aesthetic and functional requirements while staying within budget and timeline constraints.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior project designer?

To excel as a Senior Project Designer, you need advanced design skills, a relevant degree (such as architecture or interior design), and extensive experience managing design projects. Proficiency with industry-standard software like AutoCAD, Revit, and Adobe Creative Suite, along with knowledge of building codes and project management methodologies, is often required. Exceptional communication, leadership, and creative problem-solving abilities help you collaborate effectively and drive design innovation. These competencies are crucial for delivering high-quality, client-focused solutions within project timelines and budgets.

What are the main challenges senior project designers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Senior Project Designers often juggle several projects at various stages, which requires balancing creative vision with practical constraints such as budget, timelines, and client expectations. One of the main challenges is ensuring consistent quality and cohesive design direction across all projects, while effectively prioritizing tasks and delegating responsibilities within the design team. Additionally, frequent coordination with other departments—like engineering, construction, and project management—demands strong communication and problem-solving skills. Staying organized and adaptable is key to successfully navigating these complexities.

What is the difference between Senior Project Designer vs Project Manager?

AspectSenior Project DesignerProject Manager
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in Design, Architecture, or related field; relevant certificationsBachelor's degree in Business, Management, or related field; PMP or similar certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign studios, architectural firms, or creative agenciesConstruction sites, corporate offices, or client sites
Industry UsageDesign and architecture firms, interior design companiesConstruction, engineering, and project delivery firms
Primary FocusDesign development, client presentations, project aestheticsProject planning, budgeting, team coordination, and delivery

The main difference is that Senior Project Designers focus on the creative and technical aspects of design projects, while Project Managers oversee the entire project process, including planning, execution, and delivery. Both roles require strong communication skills and industry knowledge, but their core responsibilities differ significantly.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Project Designer jobs in Portland, OR?

For Senior Project Designer jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Project Designer jobs in Portland, OR look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Project Designer jobs in Portland, OR are:

Senior Project Designer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Project Designer job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 12% Part Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 84% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $81,305 per year, or $39.1 per hour.

Architectural Project Designer

SERA Architects, Inc.

Portland, OR • On-site

Full-time

Posted 8 days ago

Job description

Summary
As a Designer in a collaborative team setting with a Project Manager and/or Project Architect, you will actively engage and lead the delivery of creative solutions for SERA clients that meet or exceed their expected outcomes. Innovative thinking and imaginative problem solving skills should be combined with good technical skills to projects that are seamlessly woven into contextual environments for place-based design solutions. With an interdisciplinary project team and the Principal-in-Charge you will be accountable for project performance success as determined by the team at the beginning of the project.
Duties and Responsibilities
Primary
Advance creative design direction for the project team. This could include but is not limited to; project pursuit, client meetings, stakeholder engagement and project delivery.
  1. Be an active listener and inspire project teams.
  2. May work in a supporting role to senior architectural designer on large projects by maintaining continuity of overall design intent.
  3. Supervise, plan, collaborate and review work with team members. This includes mentoring of staff on project teams.
  4. Provide innovative solutions that are sound, founded in deep architectural practice theory and consistently align with SERA's organizational mission, vision and core values.
  5. Understand how to rapidly explore a multitude of design options that solve design problems in various ways that are in compliance with applicable jurisdictional requirements.
  6. Actively engage with project team, consultants, clients, public entities, and the community at large when required to advance project design concepts and details.
  7. Deliver iterative design ideas that meet client project goals in addition to advancing cultural, and social needs of the greater community.
  8. Use the building code to develop architectural solutions. Provide code interpretations that are advantageous for the project and client.
  9. Understand and adhere to the project's contract requirements.
  10. Work to be recognized as an expert/leader and authority in the company in a broad area of expertise or in a narrow but narrowly specialized field.
  11. Understand and reinforce project metrics such as utilization, technical standards adherence, efficiency improvement efforts and project profitability.

Additional
  1. Responsible for staying actively involved throughout the construction document process to support design development and delivery of projects.
  2. Must be cable of delivering conceptual design ideas with both graphic and written communication skillsets that is technical clear and concise.
  3. Shows an open and willing desire for teaching and mentoring junior designers.
  4. Fosters and advances a community design culture through commitment to design both inside and outside of the office.
  5. Provides constructive feedback to facilitate continuous improvement.
  6. Works with and supports marketing and business development efforts in the office.
  7. Model the firm's values and core commitments, ensuring alignment with internal expectations for professionalism, collaboration, and ethical behavior.
  8. Respect and reinforce established firm policies and processes.
  9. Other duties as assigned

Requirements
Education and Experience
  • Requires either a 5-year Bachelor of Architecture degree or a 6-year Masters of Architecture degree from an NCARB accredited university or international equivalent.
  • Licensed Architect is preferred. Generally have 8+ years of experience.
  • Candidate should have completed or be working on completion of the AXP requirements established by NCARB for architecture licensure in their base state.
  • Candidate should have documented proof of design solutions including conceptual ideas, design development details and construction documents created as intern/project assist/project architect.
  • Proficiency in Autodesk Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, MS Office Suite required.
  • LEEP AP Preferred.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Possesses knowledge of the OSSC/ADAAG and the ability to achieve the intent of the code through, creative design solutions, variances and/or appeals.
  • Possesses knowledge of other codes and/or guidelines such as NFPA, OSHA, FHA, ANSI, and the USGBC LEED Rating system.
  • Knowledge of Sketchup, Rhino, Grasshopper, and hand graphic skills preferred.
  • Advanced ability to communicate through verbal, written and graphic communication formats.
  • Strong design skills required.
  • Ability to objectively analyze and document critical items for project sites that should serve as the foundational basis for place-based design solutions.
  • Ability to deliver innovative design and concept thinking skills in various graphic formats including both digital and hand drawings.
  • Ability to work independently or in a collaborative team that is highly productive and effective.
  • Ability to advance personal and team member growth in line with SERA goals and mission.
  • Ability to design innovative process delivery methods that match the needs of the client and or project.
  • Ability to engage and coordinate cross discipline expertise within other SERA staff including but not limited to Urban Planning, Interior design, Landscape Architecture, and SURG (sustainability resources group).
  • Familiarity with trends in the A/E/C industry.

SERA Architects Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

Apply