Project Designer Jobs in Washington
Project Designer jobs in Washington rank among the most active markets in the West, with steady demand concentrated in architecture and interior design studios, technology campus development, and large-scale public infrastructure projects. Seattle leads hiring volume, followed by Bellevue and Tacoma, and well-established employers such as Boeing, Amazon, and Skanska regularly bring on project designers at junior through senior levels. The most sought-after specializations in Washington are sustainable design, commercial interiors, and design-build delivery. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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As a Substation Physical Project Designer, you will be working in a project team environment with engineers and other designers involved in high and extra high voltage substation design.
- Substation General Arrangement
- Substation Electrical Equipment Plans
- Substation Electrical Section Views (Elevations)
- Substation Detailed Bill of Material
- Substation Lightning Stroke Shielding Plan
- Substation Grounding Plan
- Substation Conduit, Electrical Connection and Grounding Details
- Substation Below Grade Conduit/Raceway Plan
- Control Building Equipment, Cable Tray, Lighting, Grounding Plans and Section
Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Performs technical review of project team's comments on vendor design deliverables (ensuring compliance with specifications), coordinates the incorporation of those comments, and consolidates and resolves project team comments.
- Acts as the lead while conducting field walkdowns and gathers data at client facilities. Interfaces with clients and contractors to discuss walkdown issues. Performs constructability walkdowns with clients and contractors.
- Identifies applicable codes and standards for team use. Provides guidance in applying codes and standards. Participates actively in the company's quality system in developing enhancements to standards and processes for company use. Identifies applicable standards for technical tasks. Maintains and utilizes working knowledge of design standards and practices. Ensures that designs conform to codes and standards. Applies Client's standards related to the project.
- Provides guidance and mentoring to designers, drafters, and other project stakeholders in the use of design/drafting tools and client-specific design tools.
- Reviews and supervises the production of design deliverables.
- Provides technical guidance to others in the preparation and review of calculations associated with applicable design processes.
- Develops cost-effective design approaches for a given project.
- Interfaces with other disciplines to obtain required design inputs and ensures adequacy of input for an integrated design.
- Obtains required input for calculations and independently prepares and reviews calculations.
- Implements work plan requirements within budget and schedule using the most efficient methods. Provides guidance to the project team in attaining budget and schedule.
- Delegates and monitors the work of assigned staff on technical matters pertinent to project assignments.
- Provides performance feedback as a primary evaluator and is involved in performance and personnel issues for assigned staff.
- Oversees routine, day-to-day performance and personnel issues for assigned group.
Essential skills and experience:
- An Associates Degree in Drafting or equivalent technical experience.
- 15 or more years of substation physical design experience.
- Advanced knowledge of computer drafting tools (i.e. AutoCAD and/or MicroStation).
- Ability to visualize Equipment Details, Phase to Ground and Phase to Phase Clearances.
- Ability to multi-task from project to project.
- Ability to visualize parts in 3D without the aid of a computer.
- An Associates Degree in Computer Aided Design.
- Familiarity with Bentley Substation, Inventor SDS, and BlueBeam.
- Familiar with ground-based Lidar, converting point cloud information to vector.
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including the ability to relate various equipment to a technical design.
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
As a Substation Physical Project Designer, you will be working in a project team environment with engineers and other designers involved in high and extra high voltage substation design.
- Substation General Arrangement
- Substation Electrical Equipment Plans
- Substation Electrical Section Views (Elevations)
- Substation Detailed Bill of Material
- Substation Lightning Stroke Shielding Plan
- Substation Grounding Plan
- Substation Conduit, Electrical Connection and Grounding Details
- Substation Below Grade Conduit/Raceway Plan
- Control Building Equipment, Cable Tray, Lighting, Grounding Plans and Section
Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Performs technical review of project team's comments on vendor design deliverables (ensuring compliance with specifications), coordinates the incorporation of those comments, and consolidates and resolves project team comments.
- Acts as the lead while conducting field walkdowns and gathers data at client facilities. Interfaces with clients and contractors to discuss walkdown issues. Performs constructability walkdowns with clients and contractors.
- Identifies applicable codes and standards for team use. Provides guidance in applying codes and standards. Participates actively in the company's quality system in developing enhancements to standards and processes for company use. Identifies applicable standards for technical tasks. Maintains and utilizes working knowledge of design standards and practices. Ensures that designs conform to codes and standards. Applies Client's standards related to the project.
- Provides guidance and mentoring to designers, drafters, and other project stakeholders in the use of design/drafting tools and client-specific design tools.
- Reviews and supervises the production of design deliverables.
- Provides technical guidance to others in the preparation and review of calculations associated with applicable design processes.
- Develops cost-effective design approaches for a given project.
- Interfaces with other disciplines to obtain required design inputs and ensures adequacy of input for an integrated design.
- Obtains required input for calculations and independently prepares and reviews calculations.
- Implements work plan requirements within budget and schedule using the most efficient methods. Provides guidance to the project team in attaining budget and schedule.
- Delegates and monitors the work of assigned staff on technical matters pertinent to project assignments.
- Provides performance feedback as a primary evaluator and is involved in performance and personnel issues for assigned staff.
- Oversees routine, day-to-day performance and personnel issues for assigned group.
Essential skills and experience:
- An Associates Degree in Drafting or equivalent technical experience.
- 15 or more years of substation physical design experience.
- Advanced knowledge of computer drafting tools (i.e. AutoCAD and/or MicroStation).
- Ability to visualize Equipment Details, Phase to Ground and Phase to Phase Clearances.
- Ability to multi-task from project to project.
- Ability to visualize parts in 3D without the aid of a computer.
- An Associates Degree in Computer Aided Design.
- Familiarity with Bentley Substation, Inventor SDS, and BlueBeam.
- Familiar with ground-based Lidar, converting point cloud information to vector.
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including the ability to relate various equipment to a technical design.
We value candidates who demonstrate an interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies where relevant to their role. Employees remain accountable for their work and are expected to apply appropriate professional judgment and review when using technology-assisted tools.
Experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specifically identified elsewhere in the job description.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
See All 7 Project Designer Jobs in Washington
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Find Project Designer JobsProject Designer Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Project Designer Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in project designer jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in architecture, interior design, or a closely related design field
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, or other industry-standard design and drafting software
- Experience managing project timelines, budgets, and coordination with contractors or consultants
- Familiarity with Washington State building codes, zoning regulations, and permitting processes
- Strong communication skills for presenting concepts to clients, stakeholders, and project teams
- Portfolio demonstrating completed projects from concept through construction or implementation
Project Designer Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a project designer in Washington?
Most project designers in Washington hold a bachelor's degree in architecture, interior design, or a related field, and those pursuing licensure as an architect work toward registration through the Washington State Department of Licensing, which requires completing the Architectural Experience Program and passing the Architect Registration Examination. Interior designers aiming for professional recognition can pursue the NCIDQ examination. Many firms hire candidates who combine a relevant degree with a strong portfolio, even before full licensure is achieved.
Which companies hire project designers in Washington?
Employers hiring project designers in Washington right now include IMEG, Stantec, and Inside Source, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Washington's strong presence of technology campuses, aerospace facilities, and urban mixed-use development keeps a wide range of architecture, engineering, and construction firms consistently active in the market.
Which Washington cities have the most project designer jobs?
Seattle, Richland, and Vancouver have the most project designer openings in Washington. Seattle drives the largest share of demand through its dense concentration of architecture studios, major technology employers with ongoing campus projects, and a robust commercial construction sector, while Bellevue and Tacoma generate openings through suburban growth, public infrastructure investment, and regional development firms headquartered in those areas.
Are there remote project designer jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since project designers frequently need to attend site visits, client meetings, and design reviews in person. About 50% of project designer openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with most flexibility concentrated in the schematic design and documentation phases of work rather than construction administration.
How can I get hired as a project designer in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for junior designer or design assistant roles at mid-size architecture and interior design firms in Seattle and Bellevue, where turnover at the associate level creates consistent openings for candidates early in their careers. Large firms such as NBBJ and Callison RTKL, both rooted in Seattle, offer structured internship and new-graduate pathways. Candidates who have completed a Washington-based degree program, assembled a portfolio with studio or academic projects, and passed preliminary licensing steps such as the Architectural Experience Program enrollment stand out in a competitive pool.
Where can I find and apply to project designer jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to project designer jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers actively hiring in the state. Search the listings, find roles that fit your background and target location, and apply directly to the positions that match.
See All 7 Project Designer Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Project Designer Jobs