Project Architect Visa Sponsorship Jobs in Washington DC
Washington DC's project architect market is anchored by federal work, with major firms like Gensler, SmithGroup, and HOK regularly hiring international candidates for roles spanning government buildings, embassies, and civic infrastructure. Demand is steady across the District and nearby Northern Virginia corridors, and several established firms have a track record of visa sponsorship for experienced project architects.
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The Project Architect will be responsible for the predesign and conceptual planning activities and involvement in all design phases for healthcare facility projects to include feasibility studies, functional space programming and narratives to effectively communicate end users project requirements. Will lead and facilitate space program and design teams. Will collect and translate clients' functional spatial requirements into feasible master planning and facility programs. Will recommend planning solutions including conceptual master plan development and phasing plan for hospital expansion projects. Will manage the Master Facility Planning process and periodic updates.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree Bachelor of Architecture or related graphic design degree (Required)
Required Licenses
Architecture - Licensed to practice in Maryland, Virginia or D.C. (Required)
Required Certifications
Green Building - LEED AP, or similar (preferred)
Certified Healthcare Architect - ACHA (preferred)
Evidence - Based Design Accreditation and Certification - EDAC (preferred)
Minimum Work Experience
5 years Progressive experience (or Master of Architecture or foreign equivalent plus 3 years experience) to include all phases of medical planning and review of space programming for large healthcare facilities projects, incorporating advanced protocols of patient care, healing environments, and evidenced based design. (Required)
Required Skills/Knowledge
- Demonstrated success as a project manager.
- Demonstrated creativity, passion and interest in design and planning of healthcare facilities.
- Advanced knowledge of progressive technical and regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities design and understanding of fundamental departmental organization and functionality.
- Advanced knowledge of healthcare delivery systems and how design impacts those systems – public/private space, adjacencies, staff and patient flow, support functions, central plant, etc.
- Advanced knowledge and demonstrated understanding in healthcare design planning concepts and best practices, including current evidence based design principles.
- EDAC accreditation preferred.
- Possess basic hand and CAD drafting skills. Proficiency in AutoCAD/Architectural Desktop.
- Proficiency in 3D Modeling software such as 3D Studio Max and Viz 2006 preferred.
- Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup, and InDesign graphic software.
- Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Will be required to learn Lean principles knowledge about sustainability and LEED accreditation preferred.
- Excellent listening skills. Ability to lead teams.
- Ability to effectively meet deadlines.
- Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to convey medical planning needs to designers and other team members.
Functional Accountabilities
Comprehensive Strategy
- Provide medical planning expertise to other team members and the firm-wide healthcare practice.
- Participate in user groups (heads of departments, specialists, etc.) to collect program needs for healthcare facilities and assist with technical aspects of the meeting.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of clients’ program requirements and standards and policies for completion; assist in developing project scope, plan, and services and during the contract process translate planning concepts into comprehensible terms for clients, designers and project team members.
- Provide technical knowledge in the design and planning of various-sized medical and healthcare facilities.
- Assist in the design development, modification and/or review of medical planning concepts and solutions.
- Assist to establish overall project budgets and milestone schedules in coordination with project managers.
Design
- Develop architectural drawings to communicate planning concepts for project documentation and construction; prepare and modify architectural documents, elevations, sections, details, etc.; expedite concept development and document production with CAD (AutoCAD, Revit, Architectural Desktop, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator); prepare 2D and 3D presentation/design drawings; communicate planning concepts to project teams, both verbally and through graphic and written reports.
- Anticipate and develop solutions to technical and design problems following established standards.
- Actively seek new knowledge in the design and planning of medical and healthcare facilities.
- Lead periodical project meetings and presentations; ensure client is adequately briefed on project progress.
- Assist in the development of standard materials that describe the portfolio, systems, processes and people of the Healthcare Group.
- Promote the principles of Lean, Sustainability and Evidence Based Design.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Foster and work in a team environment (including both internal and external members) and develop a customer focused approach to project management and problem resolution.
- Assist the Space Committee.
- Facilitate group discussions; keep team members appropriately informed.
- Be a resource for cross-functional and departmental teams to ensure adherence to space standards.
Project & Financial Management
- Define the scope of work, requirements, and project deliverables and identify work required to achieve project deliverables.
- Prepare project timeline of project milestones and deliverables and identify resources required to achieve project deliverables.
- Track and report project progress/status.
- Manage construction and aesthetics projects as assigned.
Organizational Accountabilities
Organizational Commitment/Identification
- Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met
Teamwork/Communication
- Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior
- Partner with all team members to achieve goals
- Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions
Performance Improvement/Problem-solving
- Contribute to a positive work environment
- Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change
- Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
- Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment
Cost Management/Financial Responsibility
- Use resources efficiently
- Search for less costly ways of doing things
Safety
- Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
- Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation
- Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation
- Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication
- Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers
- Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance
LOCATION
Primary Location: District of Columbia - Washington
Work Locations: CN Hospital (Main Campus) 111 Michigan Avenue NW Washington 20010
Job: Non-Clinical Professional
Organization: Real Estate
Position Status: R (Regular) - FT - Full-Time
Shift: Day
Work Schedule: Day
Job Posting: May 26, 2026, 11:00:00 PM
Full-Time Salary Range: 109886.4 - 183144
Description
The Project Architect will be responsible for the predesign and conceptual planning activities and involvement in all design phases for healthcare facility projects to include feasibility studies, functional space programming and narratives to effectively communicate end users project requirements. Will lead and facilitate space program and design teams. Will collect and translate clients' functional spatial requirements into feasible master planning and facility programs. Will recommend planning solutions including conceptual master plan development and phasing plan for hospital expansion projects. Will manage the Master Facility Planning process and periodic updates.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
Minimum Education
Bachelor's Degree Bachelor of Architecture or related graphic design degree (Required)
Required Licenses
Architecture - Licensed to practice in Maryland, Virginia or D.C. (Required)
Required Certifications
Green Building - LEED AP, or similar (preferred)
Certified Healthcare Architect - ACHA (preferred)
Evidence - Based Design Accreditation and Certification - EDAC (preferred)
Minimum Work Experience
5 years Progressive experience (or Master of Architecture or foreign equivalent plus 3 years experience) to include all phases of medical planning and review of space programming for large healthcare facilities projects, incorporating advanced protocols of patient care, healing environments, and evidenced based design. (Required)
Required Skills/Knowledge
- Demonstrated success as a project manager.
- Demonstrated creativity, passion and interest in design and planning of healthcare facilities.
- Advanced knowledge of progressive technical and regulatory requirements for healthcare facilities design and understanding of fundamental departmental organization and functionality.
- Advanced knowledge of healthcare delivery systems and how design impacts those systems – public/private space, adjacencies, staff and patient flow, support functions, central plant, etc.
- Advanced knowledge and demonstrated understanding in healthcare design planning concepts and best practices, including current evidence based design principles.
- EDAC accreditation preferred.
- Possess basic hand and CAD drafting skills. Proficiency in AutoCAD/Architectural Desktop.
- Proficiency in 3D Modeling software such as 3D Studio Max and Viz 2006 preferred.
- Proficiency in Photoshop, Illustrator, Sketchup, and InDesign graphic software.
- Proficiency in MS Office, including Word, Excel and Outlook.
- Will be required to learn Lean principles knowledge about sustainability and LEED accreditation preferred.
- Excellent listening skills. Ability to lead teams.
- Ability to effectively meet deadlines.
- Ability to communicate both verbally and in writing.
- Ability to convey medical planning needs to designers and other team members.
Functional Accountabilities
Comprehensive Strategy
- Provide medical planning expertise to other team members and the firm-wide healthcare practice.
- Participate in user groups (heads of departments, specialists, etc.) to collect program needs for healthcare facilities and assist with technical aspects of the meeting.
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of clients’ program requirements and standards and policies for completion; assist in developing project scope, plan, and services and during the contract process translate planning concepts into comprehensible terms for clients, designers and project team members.
- Provide technical knowledge in the design and planning of various-sized medical and healthcare facilities.
- Assist in the design development, modification and/or review of medical planning concepts and solutions.
- Assist to establish overall project budgets and milestone schedules in coordination with project managers.
Design
- Develop architectural drawings to communicate planning concepts for project documentation and construction; prepare and modify architectural documents, elevations, sections, details, etc.; expedite concept development and document production with CAD (AutoCAD, Revit, Architectural Desktop, PowerPoint, Excel, Word, InDesign, Photoshop, and Illustrator); prepare 2D and 3D presentation/design drawings; communicate planning concepts to project teams, both verbally and through graphic and written reports.
- Anticipate and develop solutions to technical and design problems following established standards.
- Actively seek new knowledge in the design and planning of medical and healthcare facilities.
- Lead periodical project meetings and presentations; ensure client is adequately briefed on project progress.
- Assist in the development of standard materials that describe the portfolio, systems, processes and people of the Healthcare Group.
- Promote the principles of Lean, Sustainability and Evidence Based Design.
Cross-Departmental Collaboration
- Foster and work in a team environment (including both internal and external members) and develop a customer focused approach to project management and problem resolution.
- Assist the Space Committee.
- Facilitate group discussions; keep team members appropriately informed.
- Be a resource for cross-functional and departmental teams to ensure adherence to space standards.
Project & Financial Management
- Define the scope of work, requirements, and project deliverables and identify work required to achieve project deliverables.
- Prepare project timeline of project milestones and deliverables and identify resources required to achieve project deliverables.
- Track and report project progress/status.
- Manage construction and aesthetics projects as assigned.
Organizational Accountabilities
Organizational Commitment/Identification
- Anticipate and responds to customer needs; follows up until needs are met
Teamwork/Communication
- Demonstrate collaborative and respectful behavior
- Partner with all team members to achieve goals
- Receptive to others’ ideas and opinions
Performance Improvement/Problem-solving
- Contribute to a positive work environment
- Demonstrate flexibility and willingness to change
- Identify opportunities to improve clinical and administrative processes
- Make appropriate decisions, using sound judgment
Cost Management/Financial Responsibility
- Use resources efficiently
- Search for less costly ways of doing things
Safety
- Speak up when team members appear to exhibit unsafe behavior or performance
- Continuously validate and verify information needed for decision making or documentation
- Stop in the face of uncertainty and takes time to resolve the situation
- Demonstrate accurate, clear and timely verbal and written communication
- Actively promote safety for patients, families, visitors and co-workers
- Attend carefully to important details - practicing Stop, Think, Act and Review in order to self-check behavior and performance
LOCATION
Primary Location: District of Columbia - Washington
Work Locations: CN Hospital (Main Campus) 111 Michigan Avenue NW Washington 20010
Job: Non-Clinical Professional
Organization: Real Estate
Position Status: R (Regular) - FT - Full-Time
Shift: Day
Work Schedule: Day
Job Posting: May 26, 2026, 11:00:00 PM
Full-Time Salary Range: 109886.4 - 183144
Project Architect Job Roles in Washington DC
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Search Project Architect Jobs in Washington DCProject Architect Jobs in Washington DC: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies sponsor visas for project architects in Washington DC?
Several large architecture and engineering firms in Washington DC have sponsored visas for project architects, including Gensler, SmithGroup, HOK, Leo A Daly, and Perkins&Will. Federal contractors and planning firms also hire internationally for civic and government projects. Sponsorship is more common at mid-size to large firms than at boutique studios, where the administrative overhead of immigration filings is harder to absorb.
Which visa types are most common for project architects in Washington DC?
The H-1B visa is the most common visa for project architects, as architecture qualifies as a specialty occupation requiring a relevant bachelor's degree or higher. Candidates with a professional architecture license or an M.Arch may strengthen their petition. The O-1A is an option for architects with demonstrated distinction, such as design awards or published work. Candidates from Australia may also explore the E-3 visa, which has no lottery.
How to find project architect visa sponsorship jobs in Washington DC?
Migrate Mate lists project architect roles in Washington DC filtered specifically for international candidates seeking visa sponsorship. You can search by role and location to find firms actively open to sponsoring work visas. Because many DC-area firms work on federal contracts, filtering for project architect positions at established architecture and planning practices tends to surface the most sponsorship-receptive employers on the platform.
Which areas in Washington DC have the most project architect sponsorship jobs?
Most sponsored project architect roles are concentrated in the District itself, particularly in the downtown and Southwest Waterfront corridors where large federal and institutional projects are based. The Northern Virginia edge, including Arlington and Tysons, also has significant hiring activity due to the density of federal contractors and mixed-use development firms headquartered there. These areas collectively form the core of the DC metro architecture employment market.
Are there any DC-specific considerations for project architects seeking visa sponsorship?
Many DC architecture firms operate under federal procurement rules, which can make H-1B sponsorship a more structured process than at private commercial practices. Firms with active GSA contracts or federal design mandates tend to have established HR and legal teams familiar with immigration filings. Having NCARB certification or progress toward AIA licensure is commonly expected at the project architect level and can strengthen a sponsorship case with employers.
What is the prevailing wage for sponsored project architect jobs in Washington DC?
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.