Job Description

The Progressive Companies Summer Internship Program is a paid, full-time experience designed to launch your career. You'll take part in hands-on client projects, sharpen your problem-solving and communication skills, and gain a front-row seat to the world of architecture, design, engineering, and construction. Working alongside experienced mentors in a multi-disciplinary firm setting, you'll learn the tools and methods that build a strong foundation for your future career. Along the way, you'll take part in project site visits, volunteer outings, networking opportunities, and education sessions - all designed to fuel your career and your curiosity.

Please note: Applications are now open, and we encourage all interested candidates to apply. Interviews will begin in October 2026, so you may not hear back immediately. Thank you for your patience as we work through a high volume of applications.

ROLE DESCRIPTION

The Project Architect IV has completed a Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture and has fully completed their official licensure path. They can be relied upon to present directly to the client on technical and design solutions and works closely with the project manager to execute project plans. They coordinate with project managers to help directly supervise the teams’ design and technical delivery within the project deadlines and ensure consistent quality of work from all levels of the Architecture team

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

Project Deliverables

• Ensure the overall design intent established by the Performance Based Design process is incorporated into the detailed documentation.
• Monitors the design process from the conceptual phase through construction administration, ensuring consistent execution of design intent.
• Determine the overall strategy for document production, identifying required drawings and related documents for each project stage, including Building Information Model (BIM) development.
• Coordinate technical and design aspects of projects with internal disciplines and outside consultants, leading communication to ensure adherence to contract documents.
• Provide extensive expertise in technical aspects of design, including code compliance, specifications, systems integration, and constructability.
• Utilize and provide leadership in the effective use of design software and technology, including Revit, AutoCAD, SketchUp, and BSD Spec Link, for presentations and production.

Project Collaboration

• Resolve complex technical issues, ensuring integration of disciplines and providing strategies for meeting aggressive schedules and budgets.
• Foster and maintain collaborative professional working relationships with all disciplines, consultants, and vendors to support project success.
• Work with authorities having jurisdiction (AHJ) to resolve code-related items on projects.
• Attend interviews for new projects and potential staff as requested.
• Integrate advanced design thinking into the process of producing contract documents and leads communication and coordination among all disciplines, consultants, vendors, and contractors.

Deliverable Review and Compliance

• Execute document modifications, reviews submittals, manages substitution requests, and acts as a primary resource during requests for information during bidding and construction.
• Thoroughly evaluate the work of staff for accuracy, completeness, and clarity prior to submission, ensuring the highest standards of quality.
• Implement and lead the expertise in quality assurance/quality control measures across all projects, promoting a culture of excellence in quality and design appreciation.
• Ensure overall coordination of contract documents, including the work of other disciplines and consultants.
• Demonstrate and share examples of quality documents and design practices with staff to foster improvement.

Teamwork and Support

• Develop performance plans for Architectural Design staff and coaches them on delivering high-quality work on schedule and within budget.
• Promote a culture of excellence in quality and design appreciation, ensuring this culture is embraced by all team members.
• Mentor and direct less experienced staff, leading or participating in professional development sessions like “Lessons Learned” to enhance team skills and eliminate quality issues.

QUALIFICATIONS

Licensure and Education

• NAAB accredited Bachelor of Architecture program or Master of Architecture program required.
• Completion of Architectural Experience Program (AXP) and Architectural Registration Exams (ARE’s) resulting in Licensure.
• The typical employee has a minimum of 20 years as a licensed architect or 20 years of post-graduate architectural experience.
• NCARB (National Council of Architectural Registration Boards) registration is preferred.
• AIA membership is preferred.
• CSI-CDT certification is preferred (and training provided).
• LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) AP BD+C certification preferred.

Technology Skills

• Proficient using technology, standard software tools and search engines.
• Expert in Revit or AutoCAD software.

BEHAVIORAL COMPETENCIES

• Builds Networks - Effectively building formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside

the organization.

• Business Insight - Applying knowledge of business and the marketplace to advance the

organization’s goals.

• Interpersonal Savvy - Relating openly and comfortably with diverse groups of people.
• Organizational Savvy - Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people related organizational dynamics.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Must be able to sit for extended periods, use a computer, and occasionally lift items up to 25 pounds.

The above information has been designed to describe the general nature and level of work performed as noted. It is not designed to contain or be interpreted as a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees assigned to this job.

Progressive Companies fully and actively supports Equal Employment Opportunity. Qualified applicants are encouraged to apply regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, national origin, disability, or veteran status.

People Matter

Each individual’s background, knowledge, ability, and experience contributes to strengthening our organization and projects. Our dedication to diversity includes company provided training and education, equitable recruitment, a grassroots employee DEI committee, and robust community partnerships.

Progressive Companies is comprised of people with a variety of abilities, races, colors, religions, genders, sexual orientations, national origins, ages, veteran statuses, and more. As an equal opportunity employer, we believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential elements of innovative design. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform essential job functions.

Transforming Spaces. Empowering People.

The talented professionals of Progressive Companies are designers of a bold new future, creating high-performance structures and pathways, delivering on today’s needs and preparing for what’s to come. We live by the idea that design isn’t simply about beauty, it’s about improving strategic outcomes—what we call Performance Based Design. Our work spans across the nation, allowing team members to work on a variety of exciting projects and maximize impact as trusted partners to our clients and communities.

Sustainable and Inclusive

We are dedicated to human-centered, sustainable, and inclusive design practices. We believe diversity, equity, and inclusion are essential to building trust, respect, and truly innovative design making spaces welcoming and accessible to all. Our sustainability approach embraces the AIA 2030 Commitment, together with a range of high performance, restorative, and regenerative strategies with a focus on climate responsive results to maximize positive impact in our industry.

Employee Owned

We act like owners—because we are. From modest beginnings of four original engineering partners in 1962, to over 350 architects, engineers, designers, and consultants across multiple regional offices today, the energy, resourcefulness, and entrepreneurial mindset you expect from a CEO come standard with every team member.

Culture of Excellence

The firm is continually ranked as one of the Best and Brightest Companies to Work For in the Nation®, with comprehensive benefits including an award-winning wellness program, hybrid work schedule, summer hours, profit-sharing, and employee stock ownership plan (ESOP). We take our work seriously, but have fun along the way, which fuels the creative spirit and supports a focus on work and life integration.

Progressive Companies is committed to development and growth of team members through continuing education, mentorship, growth opportunities, and more. We are dedicated to giving back to our communities, with paid service-learning hours available to every employee and corporate sponsorship for a wide range of community organizations and activities.