Saam Architecture is seeking a Senior Architect (ref. AIA definition) with 10+ years of experience to lead the delivery of federal and defense facilities with a focus on USACE and National Guard work. The role will include hands-on technical leadership, coordinating multi-disciplinary teams, and engaging directly with clients to develop and execute high-performing design solutions, within the unique constraints of federal criteria, schedules, and review processes. Greater New England-based candidates with government and defense project experience preferred.
Our firm has a progressive, remote-first business model that values the contributions of the entire team and offers opportunities in a wide range of project types. Saam offers a full benefits package and a progressive work model, featuring radical flexibility, remote work infrastructure, and flexible time off within a client-commitment culture. The ideal candidate will be excited by the opportunity to join a profoundly different firm culture that embraces and supports life/work balance while practicing exceptional architecture.
Position Type: Full-time, exempt Work Model: Remote-first with periodic in-person collaboration (Boston hub) and project travel as needed. Quarterly meetings in Boston.
Salary Range: $115,000–$135,000 annually, depending on experience, credentials, clearances, and alignment with federal/defense delivery requirements
Cover letter (highlight USACE, National Guard, and UFC experience)
Resume
Portfolio or work samples (please share only unclassified/publicly releasable material)
Please note in the email subject line: Senior Architect
Required Qualifications:
Citizenship: U.S. Citizen, background screen required.
Professional licensure: Registered Architect (active U.S. license required).
Federal/Defense technical leadership: Lead architectural delivery (drawings, specs, and consultant coordination) across all phases (programming through CA), and apply DoD design standards, including Unified Facilities Criteria (UFC), to produce compliant, buildable, and review-ready documents.
Team leadership and coordination: Direct day-to-day architectural production and mentor staff, and coordination with structural, MEP/FP, civil, security/communications, and specialty consultants.
Remote-first delivery: Execute high-quality work in a distributed setting using clear communication, documentation, and proactive coordination to manage priorities, deadlines, and quality expectations.
Client engagement and communication: Present technical and design solutions directly to clients and end users, as well as leading design reviews, comment adjudication, and action-item closeout.
Advanced Revit proficiency: Extensive Construction Document experience and consultant model coordination, and a strong understanding and experience with exterior technical detailing.
Preferred Qualifications:
Project management experience.
Enclave experience and CUI training.
Familiarity with additional federal procedures, standards, and accessibility frameworks used on government projects, not already listed above.
Active security clearance or demonstrated ability to obtain/maintain clearance when required.
Saam, meaning “together” in multiple languages, is a Boston-based, women-owned firm with extensive experience delivering projects across many sectors, including K–12, higher education, aviation, workplace, federal agencies, corporate/commercial, and transportation. Since its establishment in 2014, Saam has grown to a team of 40, bringing together talent from several leading Boston architecture studios. This diversity of backgrounds and skill sets enables the firm to take a holistic approach to design, while its culture of radical flexibility and collaboration has gained national attention within the AEC industry’s conversation on equitable and inclusive practice.