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Design Principal

Little
Charlotte, NC Full Time
POSTED ON 5/15/2026 CLOSED ON 7/9/2026

What are the responsibilities and job description for the Design Principal position at Little?

When it comes to great design, beauty and function are important. But, when you join Little, you become part of a national team that digs deep to uncover design opportunities and craft solutions that go well beyond that. You’ll elevate client performance in meaningful ways and improve our world by thoughtfully implementing sustainable and regenerative design practices. You’ll create places that allow our communities to thrive, with a particular focus on the dynamic and multifaceted nature of Mixed-use Developments. Ultimately, you will create a better future for us all.

As one of the nation’s most progressive design firms, Little, is seeking a Design Principal with a specialized focus on Mixed-use Developments who can continually elevate the quality of our work at a national level through positive leadership, a collaborative work style, and deep design expertise. This high-impact position works with a transdisciplinary team while leading the design of a wide range of projects and is responsible for intently listening to client goals, identifying challenges, crafting ideas, and executing solutions that elevate client performance.

By joining our team, you will have the opportunity to shape innovative and integrated environments that blend urban design, residential, commercial, cultural, and recreational spaces, creating vibrant, sustainable, communities. Your expertise in Mixed-use Development and place-making will be crucial in addressing the complexities and unique challenges of these projects, ensuring they meet the diverse needs of their users and stakeholders.

The opportunities are robust in Mixed-Use Development, we leverage our talent, leadership and subject matter experts on behalf of building the strongest team to benefit our clients and communities.  As such, this position can be located in any number of our offices as a home base: Charlotte, Durham, Charleston, or Orlando

A candidate we’ll love:

  • Design leader. A talented designer and creative problem solver with deep experience designing projects aimed at mixed-use developments, with a focus on designing for the community through scale, character, and proportion of urban environments.
  • Thought Leader. A Registered Architect with active involvement in industry-related organizations and/or recognition of award-winning designs.
  • Sustainable & Future-Thinker. Someone knowledgeable of and passionate about sustainable and regenerative design strategies and implementation.
  • Team Leader. A leader who is a champion for others and builds followership through empathetic listening, genuine care, and collaboration.
  • Great Communicator. Someone who can simplify complex ideas and articulate them in a way that people understand; in turn, you also listen to understand.
  • Active Mentor. A teacher/mentor who can lead design while working with and developing the talents of others.
  • Continuous Learner. Someone who has knowledge of the latest design trends and technologies including working knowledge of the latest design software.
  • Culture Builder. Someone who knows how to have fun, can be fun to work with and who wants to have a meaningful impact.

A position you’ll love:

  • Elevating Performance. A rewarding opportunity to make a meaningful difference leading design and partnering with our clients and project teams.
  • Contributing to Strategic Growth. Reputable track record building and sustaining relationships with client executives and developing and winning business opportunities.
  • Achieving Visibility. Exposure as a Thought Leader driving opportunities that uncover breakthrough ideas.
  • Enhancing Design Culture. The chance to help shape the evolution of design within our firm by collaborating with other designers across our entire office footprint.
  • Collaborating Across Disciplines. The power of a Transdisciplinary disciplines coming together to form remarkable teams the stretch conventional thinking creating opportunities for forward-looking solutions that benefit the Human Experience and our Communities in meaningful and unexpected ways.

Why Little:

Little is a place where you’ll surround yourself with colleagues who have different areas of expertise, are from different cultures and generations, and embody different talents, experiences, and passions. In fact, if you ask our employees what keeps them excited about coming to work each day, you’ll hear that it’s the people. It’s also our culture and the chance to be part of creating a better future through our work. We embrace a culture of teaching and learning through cross-mentoring that spans generations, disciplines, talents, and interests and we strive to give each person exposure to the widest possible array of experiences. We care intensely about our clients and each other, and we do our best to spark a spirit of creativity and excitement in everyone around us.

The opportunities are robust in Mixed-Use Development, we leverage our talent, leadership and subject matter experts on behalf of building the strongest team to benefit our clients and communities.  As such, this position can be located in any number of our offices as a home base: Charlotte, Durham, Charleston, or Orlando.  Want to know what’s it’s like to work at Little?  Check out our video!  https://vimeo.com/851727160/a5897aa234

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit your letter of interest, resume, and portfolio for review. 

Little is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with anti-discrimination law, Little prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation national origin, genetics, disability status, age, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Little is committed to providing access, equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for individuals with disabilities in employment, its services, programs, and activities. To request reasonable accommodation, contact careers@littleonline.com or a member of our HR Team.

Salary.com Estimation for Design Principal in Charlotte, NC
$196,917 to $231,977
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