Project architect or senior project architect (healthcare market)

Cuningham is looking for a Project Architect or Senior Project Architect to join our healthcare team in California or Phoenix, Arizona. Healthcare experience is required, and HCAI (formerly OSHPD) experience is strongly preferred. You'll lead the design process and the technical side of healthcare projects through every phase, from early design through construction, making sure the documents are complete, coordinated, and ready for the toughest review in the state. We'll bring you in as a Project Architect or Senior Project Architect based on your experience and the scale of work you've led.

We're open to candidates across California, especially those near our Culver City and San Diego offices, as well as our Phoenix office. If you don't live near one of our offices, remote work is an option.

At Cuningham, everything comes back to one idea: design a better world with deep respect for the real one people live in. In healthcare, that means spaces that support healing and work hard for the people who care for others.

What You'd Be Doing:

• Leading design solutions, coordination, and production through all project phases, in an iterative, collaborative process tied to each project's success metrics.
• Building a strong project team alongside your Project Manager and helping everyone do their best work through thoughtful task assignment and support for their growth.
• Leading collaboration with healthcare clients, facilities teams, and clinical users, keeping feedback flowing clearly between them and our internal team.
• Owning all technical aspects of the project, including code review and resolving special code conditions under CBC/Title 24, FGI Guidelines, and NFPA.
• Leading communication with HCAI and other local AHJs, including plan review submittals and comments.
• Managing collaboration with consultants and contractors for the best design outcomes, and leading coordination with our specs team.
• Leading design and validation of building envelope systems.
• Directing a thorough, on-time QA/QC process, and being accountable for a complete, quality set of architectural documents that meets contract requirements.
• Leading construction administration with other project leaders and on-site staff, including site observations and verifications.
• Spotting potential risks early and raising them with your Project Manager and Project Executive.
• Helping with pursuits by preparing and reviewing proposal and interview content and joining client interviews.
• Bringing regenerative thinking to the design and performance of the built, social, and natural environments.
• Keeping responsible control over technical submissions when signing and sealing documents.
• Using MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, and Revit/BIM 360 day to day, and getting familiar with Rhino, Enscape, and Lumion.

Project Architect or Senior Project Architect?

As a Project Architect, you'll lead small to medium-scale healthcare projects and manage small teams with a mix of experience levels. As a Senior Project Architect, you'll lead large, complex healthcare projects, with extra focus on the early design phases. You'll also:

• Manage multiple project leaders and work alongside other senior leaders to deliver creative, technically sound, holistic solutions.
• Mentor design staff through project delivery and client relationships.
• Help lead pursuits, not just support them.
• Help lead internal programs that improve design best practices across the firm.
• Shape architectural detailing and documentation standards firm-wide.

What We Look For:

Project Architect: 5+ years of architectural experience. Senior Project Architect: 10+ years, including leading large, complex projects. Healthcare project experience required (e.g., acute care hospitals, ambulatory and outpatient facilities, medical office buildings, renovations in occupied facilities). HCAI/OSHPD experience strongly preferred, including OSHPD 1 (hospital) and/or OSHPD 3 (clinic) projects. Bachelor's or Master's degree in architecture. Architectural licensure preferred; strongly preferred at the Senior level. Strong working knowledge of CBC/Title 24, FGI Guidelines, NFPA, and accessibility codes. Advanced Revit skills and a solid grasp of how construction documents and envelope systems come together. Experience coordinating multi-discipline consultant teams and leading construction administration. A clear communicator who's comfortable with clients, agencies, and contractors. A collaborative, team-first mindset and genuine curiosity about doing good work.

Salary and Benefits:

$100,000 - $165,000 a year. The salary range for this position reflects both the Project Architect and Senior Project Architect title levels. Placement within the range will be determined based on licensure status, experience, and qualifications. Compensation provided is based on our national range which varies by work location and may also depend on accreditation, experience and responsibilities. Our talent management team can share more about the specific salary range for your location during the hiring process. Compensation range updated 1/24/2026. Benefits: Cuningham offers a variety of benefits to employees including; health insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, 401k retirement savings plan, paid holidays, and paid time off.

Why Cuningham?

At Cuningham, we believe the best work happens when people are supported, challenged, and connected. Whether collaborating across teams, engaging with our communities, or shaping meaningful design solutions, we bring pragmatic creativity and disciplined execution to every project — and we support each other through it all. We nurture an equitable work environment where curiosity is celebrated, craft is valued, and growth is prioritized. Alongside a team that brings low-ego expertise and active leadership day-to-day, you’ll work on complex, high-stakes projects that demand bold thinking and disciplined delivery.

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Cuningham is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer and values the strength diversity brings to the workplace when combined with equity and justice. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, age, genetic information, national origin, disability, military, or veteran status.