Architectural Director, Washington, DC

Lead & grow an Architectural practice with STV and Shape the Future of Transportation across the Washington DC Metro.

Are you ready to take the lead in transforming how communities move? As Architectural Director with STV's Buildings division, you'll be at the forefront of designing and delivering innovative transportation buildings and facilities that serve millions. This is your opportunity to grow a transportation-focused architectural practice in the Washington, D.C. region and, at the same time, be a key contributor to the national Buildings Group's overall strategy and success.

Your Role and Impact

In this client-facing, seller-doer leadership role, you'll guide multidisciplinary teams through the design and construction of surface and subsurface passenger stations – from platforms and elevators to pedestrian bridges – across light rail, heavy rail, and bus rapid transit (BRT) systems. You'll also bring your expertise in planning and industrial design coordination for rail and bus maintenance facilities, including service bays, vehicle wash areas, and operations spaces.

Why You Belong at STV

At STV, you'll join a nationally recognized team of architects, engineers, and planners who are passionate about creating resilient, sustainable, and community-centered solutions. Our Buildings group supports a wide range of markets – from transportation, education, civic, land development, and healthcare – and is committed to delivering designs that serve both today's needs and tomorrow's possibilities. You'll be part of a legacy of excellence, collaborating with high-profile transportation agencies including WMATA, DDOT, Amtrak, WDC local counties, NYC MTA, NJ Transit, and SEPTA, to name a few.  

What You'll Do

• Lead design and construction services for transportation facilities, including stations and support infrastructure.

• Oversee planning and design coordination for maintenance facilities and operational spaces.

• Build and maintain strong client relationships with municipal and state agencies.

• Mentor junior architects and foster a collaborative, high-performing team culture.

• Drive business development through proposals, presentations, and strategic outreach.

• Lead meetings and technical discussions with clients to define scope and ensure project success.

• Champion technical excellence through quality control, code compliance, and innovative design.

• Serve as a subject matter expert in transportation architecture projects, staying ahead of trends and technologies such as Battery-Electric Bus Facilities and modernization programs.

• Collaborate with Technical and Design Directors to advance architectural solutions and contribute to groundbreaking design techniques.

What You'll Need to Thrive

• A professional degree in Architecture (B.Arch or M.Arch preferred).

• At least 15 years of experience with a strong presence in transportation-focused architectural projects.

• Active Registered Architect license in Washington, D.C, and/or ability to get reciprocity in different states.

• A proactive, problem-solving mindset and a passion for teamwork and client success.

• Proven ability to lead multidisciplinary teams from concept through construction.

• Familiarity with Revit Architecture and BIM 360, working with cross-collaborative teams.

• Strong business development skills, the ability to build and maintain effective client relationships

• Active participation in industry associations is essential for driving growth and establishing a reputable presence in the market.

• LEED Accreditation is a plus.

Why STV Is the Right Move for You

At STV, you're not just joining a company – you're joining a mission. You'll work on transformative projects that shape cities and improve lives, all while growing your career in a supportive, forward-thinking environment. If you're driven to lead, innovate, and make a difference, this is your moment. Our current Washington, DC office is bursting with multidisciplinary talent, so to accommodate the continued growth, in January 2026, we are moving to brand new offices located at 1100 Vermont Avenue NW.

Ready to Lead the Next Generation of Architects?  Apply now and bring your vision to life with STV.

Compensation Range:

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At STV, we are fully committed to expanding our culture of diversity and inclusion, one that will reflect the clients we serve and the communities we work in, so if you're excited about this role but your past experience doesn't align perfectly with every qualification in the job description we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

STV offers the following benefits
• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (16 days)
• Paid Holidays (8 days)
• Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year)
• Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV's good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.