Project Architect Visa Sponsorship Jobs in California
Project architect visa sponsorship jobs in California are concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where firms like Gensler, HOK, Skidmore Owings and Merrill, and AECOM regularly hire internationally. California's volume of commercial, civic, and tech campus projects keeps demand for licensed and emerging architects consistently high across the state.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Join the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner shaping a more sustainable future. LPA is a collective of designers, engineers, and researchers committed to tackling the biggest issues of our time. Our "No Excuses" integrated design approach was recognized by the AIA as “a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture". At LPA you’ll be part of the team that is changing the way the industry thinks about design and carbon emissions, built around the belief that we only achieve our goals when everybody has a seat at the table and all input is valued.
We’re currently seeking a Project Architect to join our dynamic Commercial team. You’ll be part of a culture that values deep collaboration, technical excellence, and continual growth. We have completed projects such as Edwards Lifesciences Campus Expansion, 801 N Brand, and 4000 MacArthur. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across our studios in California and Texas—and help bring high-performance, community-first design to life.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What You’ll Do:
- Lead, develop, and execute project documentation and contract administration across all phases of assigned projects.
- Direct the technical delivery of projects from concept design through construction, working closely with a multidisciplinary team of designers and engineers.
- Collaborate with the Project Designer and Project Manager to bring design visions to life with clarity and precision.
- Oversee the preparation of design documentation, including schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
- Conduct quality control reviews and research to ensure the use of appropriate products, materials, and construction methods.
- Lead the construction administration process, ensuring successful implementation and resolution of design intent on-site.
- Build and nurture strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, regulatory authorities, and internal team members.
- Mentor junior staff, fostering their growth through knowledge-sharing, training, and ongoing support.
WHAT WE OFFER
At LPA, your growth and contributions matter. We foster a collaborative culture where creative ideas are valued, and voices are heard.
- Mentorship from Managing Directors, Design Directors, and senior team members across disciplines.
- Career development support, including professional development grants and in-house training.
- Ongoing education through LPA+U courses and Tech Talks focused on innovative, sustainable practices.
- 8 paid hours of volunteer time each year.
- Opportunities to propose and lead projects that impact your local community, including more than $1 million since 2015 in Habitat for Humanity builds, scholarships, and other pro bono community projects.
- Access to our Professional Development Grants program, created to encourage professional development and further LPA's collective knowledge as a firm. Over the life of the grant program, we have invested $1,196,890 and impacted 848 LPA employees.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Required:
- Bachelors and/or Masters degree in Architecture.
- 10+ years of experience across all phases of architectural projects.
- Active architecture license in California.
- Proficiency in Revit and other relevant design tools.
- Deep understanding of building codes, construction techniques, and architectural detailing.
LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas, focused on creating forward-thinking, sustainable spaces that make a positive impact. We believe great design begins with great people, which is why we foster a supportive, collaborative environment where creativity, curiosity, and professional growth are encouraged. Our culture values diversity, promotes wellness, and supports a healthy work-life balance. At LPA, we offer competitive salaries and a robust benefits package—including health and dental insurance, retirement and financial planning, wellness initiatives, and flexible work/life programs.
This position is eligible for an annual bonus. If you are hired at LPA, your base salary is based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience and/or project complexity. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.
NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES AND RECRUITERS:
Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA’s request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.
INTRODUCTION
Join the 2025 AIA Firm Award Winner shaping a more sustainable future. LPA is a collective of designers, engineers, and researchers committed to tackling the biggest issues of our time. Our "No Excuses" integrated design approach was recognized by the AIA as “a trailblazer in sustainable, high-performance architecture". At LPA you’ll be part of the team that is changing the way the industry thinks about design and carbon emissions, built around the belief that we only achieve our goals when everybody has a seat at the table and all input is valued.
We’re currently seeking a Project Architect to join our dynamic Commercial team. You’ll be part of a culture that values deep collaboration, technical excellence, and continual growth. We have completed projects such as Edwards Lifesciences Campus Expansion, 801 N Brand, and 4000 MacArthur. Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across our studios in California and Texas—and help bring high-performance, community-first design to life.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
What You’ll Do:
- Lead, develop, and execute project documentation and contract administration across all phases of assigned projects.
- Direct the technical delivery of projects from concept design through construction, working closely with a multidisciplinary team of designers and engineers.
- Collaborate with the Project Designer and Project Manager to bring design visions to life with clarity and precision.
- Oversee the preparation of design documentation, including schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
- Conduct quality control reviews and research to ensure the use of appropriate products, materials, and construction methods.
- Lead the construction administration process, ensuring successful implementation and resolution of design intent on-site.
- Build and nurture strong relationships with clients, consultants, contractors, regulatory authorities, and internal team members.
- Mentor junior staff, fostering their growth through knowledge-sharing, training, and ongoing support.
WHAT WE OFFER
At LPA, your growth and contributions matter. We foster a collaborative culture where creative ideas are valued, and voices are heard.
- Mentorship from Managing Directors, Design Directors, and senior team members across disciplines.
- Career development support, including professional development grants and in-house training.
- Ongoing education through LPA+U courses and Tech Talks focused on innovative, sustainable practices.
- 8 paid hours of volunteer time each year.
- Opportunities to propose and lead projects that impact your local community, including more than $1 million since 2015 in Habitat for Humanity builds, scholarships, and other pro bono community projects.
- Access to our Professional Development Grants program, created to encourage professional development and further LPA's collective knowledge as a firm. Over the life of the grant program, we have invested $1,196,890 and impacted 848 LPA employees.
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
Required:
- Bachelors and/or Masters degree in Architecture.
- 10+ years of experience across all phases of architectural projects.
- Active architecture license in California.
- Proficiency in Revit and other relevant design tools.
- Deep understanding of building codes, construction techniques, and architectural detailing.
LPA is an integrated design firm with offices in California and Texas, focused on creating forward-thinking, sustainable spaces that make a positive impact. We believe great design begins with great people, which is why we foster a supportive, collaborative environment where creativity, curiosity, and professional growth are encouraged. Our culture values diversity, promotes wellness, and supports a healthy work-life balance. At LPA, we offer competitive salaries and a robust benefits package—including health and dental insurance, retirement and financial planning, wellness initiatives, and flexible work/life programs.
This position is eligible for an annual bonus. If you are hired at LPA, your base salary is based on factors such as geographic location, skills, education, experience and/or project complexity. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider the internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.
LPA uses E-Verify to confirm the employment eligibility of new hires.
NOTICE TO RECRUITMENT AGENCIES AND RECRUITERS:
Please note that LPA does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed contract, LPA will not agree to pay any recruiter fee. In the situation an agency or recruiter submits a candidate or resume without a previously signed agreement and/or without LPA’s request, LPA explicitly reserves the right to hire those candidate(s) without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers, are deemed to be the property of LPA.
Project Architect Job Roles in California
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Search Project Architect Jobs in CaliforniaProject Architect Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for project architects in California?
Large architecture and engineering firms are the most active sponsors for project architects in California. Gensler's San Francisco and Los Angeles offices, HOK, AECOM, Skidmore Owings and Merrill, HKS, and Perkins and Will have documented H-1B sponsorship histories. Major tech companies with in-house design teams, such as Google and Apple, also sponsor project architects directly for their campus and facilities work.
Which visa types are most common for project architect roles in California?
The H-1B is the most common visa for project architects in California, as the role typically requires a professional degree in architecture, satisfying the specialty occupation standard. Architects with a master's degree may be eligible for the H-1B U.S. master's cap. O-1A visas are an option for architects with significant awards, publications, or demonstrated distinction in the field. TN status is available for Canadian and Mexican nationals with a qualifying architecture credential.
How to find project architect visa sponsorship jobs in California?
Migrate Mate filters job listings specifically for visa sponsorship roles, making it straightforward to search for project architect positions across California. You can narrow results by city, firm type, and visa category to focus on employers with active sponsorship histories. Because California's architecture market is large and varied, using Migrate Mate helps surface both large firm openings in Los Angeles and Bay Area boutique studio opportunities that might otherwise be hard to identify.
Which cities in California have the most project architect visa sponsorship jobs?
San Francisco and Los Angeles account for the largest share of project architect sponsorship activity in California. San Francisco's density of corporate headquarters and tech campuses drives steady demand, while Los Angeles has a broad mix of entertainment, civic, and residential projects. San Diego is a smaller but active market, particularly for firms tied to biotech, defense, and higher education construction. Sacramento sees demand tied to state government and infrastructure projects.
Are there any California-specific considerations for project architects seeking visa sponsorship?
California requires project architects to hold or work toward licensure through the California Architects Board, and employers are generally aware that internationally trained architects may need additional steps to meet state licensure equivalency requirements. The state's prevailing wage rules apply to certain public works projects, which affects how employers document compensation in Labor Condition Applications. California's concentration of AIA-accredited university programs, including USC, Cal Poly, and UC Berkeley, also creates a strong graduate pipeline that employers in the state are experienced navigating for international hires.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored project architect jobs in California?
U.S. employers sponsoring a visa must pay at least the prevailing wage, which is what workers in the same role, area, and experience level typically earn. The Department of Labor sets this rate to make sure companies aren't hiring foreign workers simply because they'd accept lower pay than a U.S. worker. It varies by job title, location, and experience. You can look up current prevailing wage rates for any occupation and location using the OFLC Wage Search page.
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