What are the responsibilities and job description for the Architect position at KieranTimberlake?
ARCHITECT
KieranTimberlake is seeking an experienced architect to join our Philadelphia studio. Our projects span civic, academic, cultural, and institutional work, and you’ll work alongside colleagues who engage deeply across all phases, from early design through construction administration, and who are invested equally in design and documentation.
Qualified candidates will have a strong background in architectural design, documentation, and consultant coordination.
Founded in 1984, KieranTimberlake unites the expertise and talents of professionals from diverse backgrounds in a practice that is recognized globally. In 2025, after 40 years as a founder-led firm, we transitioned to 100% employee ownership, a milestone that reflects a deep commitment to our staff.
Your Role
Experienced architects have an important role and voice in the design and documentation of their projects. Depending on experience, this may mean generating and developing design ideas, owning significant portions of construction documentation, leading consultant coordination, or taking on a leadership role within a project.
What you’ll do:
- Contribute to the planning, design, and documentation of projects of multiple scales and types
- Develop architectural details and assemblies that support building performance and design intent
- Contribute to the preparation of client and stakeholder design presentations
- Coordinate design efforts and deliverables of design consultants and project team
- Take ownership of construction documents, technical coordination, and documentation quality
- Collaborate with Principals and Associates in the management of projects
- Contribute to the firm’s technical and design quality through participation in our Quality Management and Knowledge Communities groups
- Mentor emerging professionals
Your Qualifications
We're looking for someone who communicates clearly, collaborates well, and can work with independence and sound judgment toward deadlines in an iterative, team-oriented environment.
Qualifications include:
- Strong design and documentation skills and meaningful ownership of construction document packages
- Experience coordinating with design consultants across project phases
- Solid technical background and familiarity with building systems, codes, standards, and construction
- Demonstrated ability to contribute to design decisions across multiple project phases, from concept design through construction documents
- Ability to resolve technical and detailing challenges with independence and accountability
- Familiarity with performance-based or research-informed design approaches
- Proficiency in Revit, Adobe Creative Suite, Rhino, and Bluebeam Revu/Studio
- 6 to 10 years of experience in architectural practice
- Architectural licensure or active pursuit of licensure
We’ll give additional consideration to candidates with:
- Experience leading documentation teams or serving as primary technical point of contact on a project
- Experience with Grasshopper, Dynamo, and Enscape
- Experience with digital fabrication, mock-ups, and prototypes of materials and assemblies
- Demonstrated commitment to sustainability and sustainable building practices
Working Here
You'll work alongside senior staff and firm leadership on projects that are technically demanding and design-forward, with a structured career framework that makes growth legible at every level.
We offer a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package that includes paid time off and paid holidays; a medical and prescription plan with an employer-funded health reimbursement arrangement; dental and vision care coverage; short and long term disability and life insurance; and paid family leave. Our retirement package includes a 401(k) plan with employer contribution and an employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We work out of our Philadelphia studio, with a policy that provides for one remote day per week.
KieranTimberlake supports the professional development of our staff. We encourage participation in our research and knowledge communities. We provide a mentorship program, opportunities to engage in firm-wide initiatives, and reimbursement for licensure exams and license renewals.
How to Apply
Please submit the following:
- A cover letter indicating your interest in the position
- A current resume including references
- A portfolio or work samples
Please note that hyperlinks to websites or portfolios are considered supplementary and may not be reviewed.
Due to the volume of interested applicants, we are unable to respond to telephone inquiries. Recruiter submissions will not be accepted.
If you are a qualified individual with a disability or a disabled veteran and require reasonable accommodation to apply, please contact Human Resources at hrmanager@kierantimberlake.com.