Architect

Opsis is looking for a design-focused Architect to join our team. This candidate exhibits proven strong design sensibilities and will thrive at the intersection of creative visioning, client engagement, and community-driven, innovative and sustainable design.

Key Responsibilities

• Drive design and documentation through all project phases, aligning creative vision with client goals, sustainability benchmarks, and technical excellence
• Develop design concepts and communicate ideas visually through compelling graphics, diagrams, and presentations
• Apply strong technical knowledge of sustainable design principles, building systems, building codes, and construction detailing
• Lead integrated project delivery with consultants and stakeholders, fostering smooth collaboration and strong client engagement
• Direct, supervise, and coordinate small project teams, overseeing work for quality, adherence to design intent and technical accuracy
• Mentor and guide junior designers, fostering growth and excellence within the studio.

Key skill sets and abilities

• Strong conceptual thinker and collaborator with the ability to effectively communicate ideas verbally and graphically through sketches, diagrams, drawings, renderings, and models
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills
• Ability to work independently on complex tasks, make critical decisions, and develop new techniques as needed
• Proven experience planning, directing, and supervising the work of small teams
• Advanced knowledge of sustainable design strategies and integrated design processes
• Strong knowledge of space planning, material selection, detailing, and architectural systems
• Strong understanding of building codes, accessibility standards, and construction methods
• A passion for fostering a collaborative and thoughtful design process, with an understanding of the value and power of collaborative design

Requirements include

• Bachelor or Master of Architecture degree
• 5-10 years’ experience in a professional architectural practice with a portfolio demonstrating innovative, sustainable and community-centered design projects
• Architectural License required
• Proficiency in Revit, Enscape, AutoCAD, Bluebeam Revu, Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, MS Office and Smartsheet
• A fundamental commitment to justice, equity, diversity, inclusion and the power and potential of architecture to be a catalyst in the creation of a more open, empathetic, and regenerative society

Preferred attributes

• Experience or specialization in community recreation, sports and athletics, higher education, student housing and performing arts
• DBIA accreditation and Progressive Design-Build experience
• Sustainable design accreditation (LEED, WELL, etc.) preferred.

Opsis Design Culture

We aspire to realize buildings that work, inspire and express beauty through construction, composition and form, materiality and craftsmanship with attention to detail. We learn by doing, using all the tools and technologies available to us in this search for the ideas. We share, analyze, discuss, challenge and debate all ideas within the safe, respectful and open environment of the Opsis studio. As a studio we grow and learn from each other through project critique sessions, firm-wide meetings, continuing education sessions, webinars, lunch presentations, and conferences.

Opsis is a signatory to the AIA 2030 Commitment, demonstrating our commitment to tracking the progress of our work towards carbon neutral design by the year 2030. Opsis brings some of the country’s most extensive experience in the design of low-carbon and Net Zero Energy buildings (NZEB), including the first two buildings in Oregon certified as NZEB through the Living Building Challenge and two projects recognized by the AIA COTE Top Ten award.

Our practice embraces social justice in our day-to-day operations and in the built environment, creating a diverse, multicultural and inclusive atmosphere in both our practice and our design work, providing and nurturing a healthy culture of trust within our firm, and fostering a working environment where all employees are joyful, motivated, and connected to our purpose and values. We are a JUST™ Organization and welcome review of our label.

Opsis Benefits

We are proud to offer a location in Portland’s central east side, which boasts a perfect ride score of 100, a walkability rating of 94, and access to a vibrant mix of amenities and businesses that reflect our commitment to local craft, arts, and emerging local enterprises.

The flexibility and convenience of hybrid work are also important to us. We strive to create an ideal mix of in-person and remote work for our teams, with a target of working in the office from Tuesday through Thursday.

All staff at Opsis receive a living wage, complemented by an excellent package of benefits, including paid time off, paid holidays, and comprehensive insurance covering healthcare, vision, dental, life, and disability. For more information, please review our benefits page.

Application Instructions

Please submit a cover letter, resume and portfolio to: Employment@opsisarch.com

We kindly ask that you do not include a photo of yourself or include personal details such as nationality, age, marital status, etc. when applying.