Mid-Weight Design Architect – Needed for Local & International Firm in Johannesburg

The Opportunity

• A leading architectural firm with an impressive portfolio of local and international projects is looking to appoint a talented and commercially minded Mid-Weight Design Architect to join its Johannesburg-based design team.
• This is an excellent opportunity for a creative architect looking to grow their career while working on exciting, large-scale commercial developments. The successful candidate will work closely with the Design Directors and wider design team, contributing to concept design and design development across a variety of projects.
• We are looking for someone with strong creative thinking, a good understanding of commercial architecture and the ability to translate client briefs into innovative, practical and commercially viable design solutions. You should be eager to take ownership of your work, contribute ideas and develop your design capabilities within an established architectural practice.
• Experience in retail, hospitality and mixed-use developments will be particularly advantageous, as the role will involve projects across both local and international markets.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to concept design and design development for large-scale architectural projects.
• Develop creative and commercially viable design solutions in response to client briefs and project requirements.
• Work closely with Design Directors and senior team members to develop architectural concepts and design proposals.
• Assist in taking projects from initial concepts through to the design development stage.
• Prepare high-quality design presentations, visual material and architectural layouts.
• Ensure designs balance creativity, functionality, budget considerations and commercial objectives.
• Collaborate with internal teams, consultants and other project stakeholders.
• Manage allocated design tasks efficiently, maintaining high standards of quality and attention to detail.
• Contribute fresh ideas and innovative thinking to the design team.
• Work effectively under pressure while meeting project deadlines and maintaining design standards.

Minimum Requirements

• A recognised qualification in Architecture.
• Approximately 5–8 years of relevant architectural design experience.
• Experience in concept design and design development.
• Exposure to retail, hospitality and/or mixed-use developments.
• Proficiency in Revit is essential.
• Strong conceptual design, creative thinking and architectural presentation skills.
• A good understanding of commercial design principles and practical development requirements.
• Excellent organisational skills and attention to detail.
• The ability to work independently on allocated tasks while collaborating effectively with a wider design team.
• A proactive attitude, willingness to learn and the ability to work to demanding deadlines.

Advantageous Skills

• Proficiency in SketchUp and AutoCAD.
• Strong graphic design and presentation skills, including the preparation of professional design presentations and marketing brochures.
• Exposure to master planning and large-scale commercial developments.
• Experience working on international architectural projects.
• An understanding of multidisciplinary design environments.

The Ideal Candidate

• We are looking for a motivated and growth-minded architect with a genuine passion for design and an interest in commercial architecture. You should be creative, commercially aware and keen to develop your skills while contributing meaningfully to an established design department.
• The ideal candidate will be confident in sharing ideas, open to collaboration and able to balance creative ambition with practical project requirements. This role offers an opportunity to work alongside experienced Design Directors, gain exposure to exciting local and international projects, and continue developing towards greater design responsibility.
• If you are a talented architect with strong Revit skills, a keen design eye and the ambition to grow within a dynamic architectural practice, we would welcome your application.