OPT Project Architect Jobs
Project Architect jobs on OPT require strong design portfolio work and demonstrated project management experience. Most roles qualify as specialty occupations under F-1 OPT, supporting STEM OPT extension eligibility for architecture graduates. Firms actively sponsor H-1B visas for licensed or license-track architects, making this one of the stronger visa pathways in the built environment.
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Get Access To All JobsSenior Project Architect, Commercial Building Systems
ms consultants, inc.
Raleigh, NC
Are you an experienced architect looking to take the next step in your career? We are seeking a Senior Project Architect to join our Building Systems team, where you'll collaborate directly with senior architects, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive leader who thrives on driving teams toward excellence in design, production, calculations, bid item quantification, cost estimates, report preparation, and fieldwork. As a Senior Project Architect, you'll have the opportunity to lead and mentor your colleagues while utilizing the latest in technical software and innovative design techniques. You'll be responsible for ensuring high-quality, efficient production across multidiscipline projects. In this role, you'll serve as the technical lead for projects, reporting to the Senior Architect (Technical Services Manager) while fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. Our focus on work-life balance includes a hybrid work option, giving you the flexibility to work in the office and at home. At ms consultants, you’re more than just an employee — you're part of a team working toward a brighter, more sustainable future.
- Focus of the position will be technical production of plans, sections, elevations, and details associated with multiple project types. This will include coordination with other in-house technical disciplines, project budget monitoring, project schedule accountability and project reporting to the Project Manager and Technical Services Manager.
- Specific responsibilities include:
- Technical understanding of building design and construction techniques
- Production related project tasks within the following software platforms: Revit, AutoCAD, Excel, and other Microsoft Office platforms
- Assisting the project team leaders to align Client & Technical Design Standards for each project
- Creating high quality documents and checking your own work before hand-offs to peer reviews
- Monitoring of the team’s production hours and compare the effort expended to project budgets
- Lead the coordination effort between other in-house technical disciplines
- Manage the production of multiple team members for multiple concurrent projects
What You'll Bring
- We are looking for someone who is a creative problem solver, willing and able to communicate design ideas and learn office production workflow in a collaborative, matrixed team environment.
- Bachelor's degree in architecture from ABET accredited or NCARB certified institution; master's degree preferred but not required.
- Proven experience in the field, with relevant training or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working within technical project teams and collaborating with cross-functional service groups.
- Proficiency in technical software, including Revit, AutoCAD, Word, Outlook, and Excel.
- Excellent communication skills, with a strong ability to collaborate, think creatively, and lead teams effectively.
Why Choose ms consultants?
We are proud to be an award-winning engineering, architecture, planning and environmental consulting firm, annually ranking within ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms. We partner with a variety of public and private clients and take pride in the many relationships we have formed by providing quality design solutions since 1963. We are dedicated to helping these clients achieve their goals through integrated, innovative solutions, and outstanding customer service. As a member of the ms team, we consider your needs as a professional and as an individual outside of work. We offer a career path which provides opportunities for advancement at any level of your career and costs for licensure, certifications, and further education. To support yourself and your family, we offer a robust benefits package with options for health coverage, in addition to life insurance, disability, long-term care, and more. Our comprehensive 401(k) plan with company matching contributions sets you up for the future, from hire to retire. Wherever you are in your personal and professional journey, ms has you covered. We know work-life balance is important and offer paid time off and flexible work schedules for when you need it, in addition to company paid holiday. Our focus on work-life balance also includes a hybrid work option, giving you the flexibility to work in the office and at home. We’re also able to offer full-time remote work for select positions, depending on the role and work requirement.
Our Mission:
By investing in our people, we create comprehensive solutions for communities and clients.
Our Vision:
Our vision is to shape a better tomorrow.
Our Values:
We are accountable.
We foster collaboration.
We stand for inclusion.
We are committed to excellence.
We are passionate about our work.
The ms Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
ms is a company that actively promotes anti-racist values and fosters an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This means working together to speak out and take action against all forms of racism, bias, and discrimination, not only in our company but in our community and everyday lives. Read more about ms DEI here.
ms consultants, inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. ms fully supports and maintains compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations. ms does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.
We value your privacy. Any personal information you provide in connection with this job posting will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. By providing your contact information, you may receive text messages from ms consultants, inc regarding job opportunities and the hiring process. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP. To learn more, please visit Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
Senior Project Architect, Commercial Building Systems
ms consultants, inc.
Raleigh, NC
Are you an experienced architect looking to take the next step in your career? We are seeking a Senior Project Architect to join our Building Systems team, where you'll collaborate directly with senior architects, engineers, technicians, and administrative staff. This is an exciting opportunity for a proactive leader who thrives on driving teams toward excellence in design, production, calculations, bid item quantification, cost estimates, report preparation, and fieldwork. As a Senior Project Architect, you'll have the opportunity to lead and mentor your colleagues while utilizing the latest in technical software and innovative design techniques. You'll be responsible for ensuring high-quality, efficient production across multidiscipline projects. In this role, you'll serve as the technical lead for projects, reporting to the Senior Architect (Technical Services Manager) while fostering a collaborative and forward-thinking environment. Our focus on work-life balance includes a hybrid work option, giving you the flexibility to work in the office and at home. At ms consultants, you’re more than just an employee — you're part of a team working toward a brighter, more sustainable future.
- Focus of the position will be technical production of plans, sections, elevations, and details associated with multiple project types. This will include coordination with other in-house technical disciplines, project budget monitoring, project schedule accountability and project reporting to the Project Manager and Technical Services Manager.
- Specific responsibilities include:
- Technical understanding of building design and construction techniques
- Production related project tasks within the following software platforms: Revit, AutoCAD, Excel, and other Microsoft Office platforms
- Assisting the project team leaders to align Client & Technical Design Standards for each project
- Creating high quality documents and checking your own work before hand-offs to peer reviews
- Monitoring of the team’s production hours and compare the effort expended to project budgets
- Lead the coordination effort between other in-house technical disciplines
- Manage the production of multiple team members for multiple concurrent projects
What You'll Bring
- We are looking for someone who is a creative problem solver, willing and able to communicate design ideas and learn office production workflow in a collaborative, matrixed team environment.
- Bachelor's degree in architecture from ABET accredited or NCARB certified institution; master's degree preferred but not required.
- Proven experience in the field, with relevant training or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Experience working within technical project teams and collaborating with cross-functional service groups.
- Proficiency in technical software, including Revit, AutoCAD, Word, Outlook, and Excel.
- Excellent communication skills, with a strong ability to collaborate, think creatively, and lead teams effectively.
Why Choose ms consultants?
We are proud to be an award-winning engineering, architecture, planning and environmental consulting firm, annually ranking within ENR’s Top 500 Design Firms. We partner with a variety of public and private clients and take pride in the many relationships we have formed by providing quality design solutions since 1963. We are dedicated to helping these clients achieve their goals through integrated, innovative solutions, and outstanding customer service. As a member of the ms team, we consider your needs as a professional and as an individual outside of work. We offer a career path which provides opportunities for advancement at any level of your career and costs for licensure, certifications, and further education. To support yourself and your family, we offer a robust benefits package with options for health coverage, in addition to life insurance, disability, long-term care, and more. Our comprehensive 401(k) plan with company matching contributions sets you up for the future, from hire to retire. Wherever you are in your personal and professional journey, ms has you covered. We know work-life balance is important and offer paid time off and flexible work schedules for when you need it, in addition to company paid holiday. Our focus on work-life balance also includes a hybrid work option, giving you the flexibility to work in the office and at home. We’re also able to offer full-time remote work for select positions, depending on the role and work requirement.
Our Mission:
By investing in our people, we create comprehensive solutions for communities and clients.
Our Vision:
Our vision is to shape a better tomorrow.
Our Values:
We are accountable.
We foster collaboration.
We stand for inclusion.
We are committed to excellence.
We are passionate about our work.
The ms Commitment to Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
ms is a company that actively promotes anti-racist values and fosters an environment of diversity, equity, and inclusion. This means working together to speak out and take action against all forms of racism, bias, and discrimination, not only in our company but in our community and everyday lives. Read more about ms DEI here.
ms consultants, inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. ms fully supports and maintains compliance with all state, federal, and local regulations. ms does not discriminate against applicants or employees on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including gender identity, sexual orientation, and pregnancy), national origin, age (40 or older), disability, or genetic information.
We value your privacy. Any personal information you provide in connection with this job posting will be handled in accordance with our Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions. By providing your contact information, you may receive text messages from ms consultants, inc regarding job opportunities and the hiring process. Message and data rates may apply. You can opt out at any time by replying STOP. To learn more, please visit Privacy Policy and Terms and Conditions.
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
See all 151+ OPT Project Architect Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Project Architect Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Project Architect
Target firms with a history of H-1B sponsorship
Architecture firms that have sponsored H-1B visas before are far more likely to do it again. Search OFLC disclosure data to verify a firm's sponsorship history before investing time in their application process.
Get your ARE progress on your resume
Firms evaluating OPT candidates want to see a clear path to licensure. List the divisions you've passed and your target completion timeline. It signals long-term commitment and makes sponsorship feel like a lower-risk investment.
Clarify your OPT timeline upfront
Project Architect roles involve long project cycles. Hiring managers need to know how much time you have on OPT and whether STEM extension applies. Addressing this early prevents late-stage surprises that kill offers.
Prioritize mid-size firms over large studios
Mid-size architecture firms often sponsor more readily than large corporate studios with rigid HR policies. They move faster, give OPT candidates real project ownership sooner, and are more willing to invest in retaining strong performers.
Lead with your software and delivery skills
Revit proficiency, BIM coordination experience, and construction documents expertise are the skills that make Project Architect candidates immediately billable. Firms weigh sponsorship costs against your ability to contribute from day one.
Negotiate the H-1B filing timeline before accepting
Before signing an offer, confirm exactly when the firm plans to file your H-1B petition. The April lottery deadline is fixed. If your OPT expires before October 1, a cap-gap or STEM extension bridge strategy needs to be in place.
Project Architect OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work as a Project Architect on F-1 OPT without being a licensed architect?
Yes. The Project Architect title does not require an active license in most states during OPT. Firms commonly hire unlicensed candidates who are in the ARE process and supervise their work under a licensed principal. Your architecture degree is what establishes OPT eligibility, not your licensure status.
Does a Project Architect role qualify for STEM OPT extension?
Architecture programs accredited by NAAB are classified under CIP code 04.0201, which is listed on the STEM Designated Degree Program list. If your degree is from a qualifying program, you're eligible to apply for the 24-month STEM OPT extension, giving you up to three years of total OPT work authorization.
What type of employers sponsor H-1B visas for Project Architects?
Mid-size and large architecture firms, multidisciplinary design studios, real estate developers with in-house design teams, and construction management firms with integrated architecture practices all sponsor H-1B visas for Project Architects. To find firms actively hiring OPT candidates in this role, browse Migrate Mate, which focuses specifically on visa-sponsoring employers.
How does the Project Architect role qualify as a specialty occupation for H-1B purposes?
A specialty occupation requires a bachelor's degree or higher in a specific field as a minimum entry requirement for the role. Architecture clearly meets this standard, and USCIS has consistently approved H-1B petitions for architecture positions. Your employer will need a certified Labor Condition Application and must demonstrate the role requires at minimum a bachelor's in architecture or a related field.
What happens to my OPT authorization if the firm delays my H-1B filing?
If your employer misses the April H-1B lottery registration window, you cannot be selected for that fiscal year. If your OPT expires before the following October 1 start date, you'll need to either have a valid STEM OPT extension bridging the gap or leave the country. Confirming the filing plan before accepting an offer is essential.