This blog post reviews Archinect Jobs’ roundup of the architecture and design firms leading hiring activity in 2026.
I summarize which firms are most actively recruiting, the types of roles being advertised, geographic concentrations, and what these trends mean for candidates and hiring managers in the architecture and engineering sector.
Snapshot: Who’s hiring and what they’re hiring for
Across the United States, established design firms and academic institutions are posting multiple openings. This signals strong demand for talent in both private practice and public-sector projects.
The roles include design, production, business development, marketing, and technical specialists. Many positions are tied to sustainability, transit, and high-density urban work.
The list below outlines the most active firms highlighted by Archinect Jobs.
Top firms with the most open positions
The firms with the largest advertised headcounts show which practice areas are growing. They also reveal where firms are expanding offices or project types.
Fogarty Finger – 10 roles across New York City and Boston, focusing on architectural and interior design for both residential and commercial work.
TCA Architects – 7 positions centered on high-density urban infill and mixed-use developments in Los Angeles, Honolulu, Oakland, and Irvine.
Grimshaw – 6 openings in New York and Los Angeles, including business development, proposal management, and senior/intermediate architect roles.
DAHLIN – 6 specialized roles in California and Washington spanning residential, education, planning, multifamily, and architectural planning.
Atelier FGP (Chicago) – 5 senior design and production leader openings.
Curtis + Ginsberg Architects (NYC) – 4 positions emphasizing sustainable design from junior to project manager and senior marketing.
Dattner Architects (NYC) – 4 roles across marketing and transit infrastructure architecture.
KSS Architects, Kohn Pedersen Fox Associates (KPF), COOKFOX, KFA Architecture, HPI Architecture – multiple openings across Philadelphia, New York, Princeton, Culver City, Newport Beach, and other markets.
Montalba Architects, Morris Adjmi, HLW International, Tulane University, Carnegie Mellon University, Marmol Radziner – each advertising around three positions across major U.S. cities.
Geography and practice-area trends: what to watch
Hiring is concentrated in established coastal hubs. Openings are also appearing in secondary markets and regions with urban infill and housing growth.
Several firms are recruiting for transit, mixed-use, multifamily, and sustainable design expertise.
Key trends emerging from the listings
Sustainability and adaptive reuse: Multiple firms highlight sustainability-focused roles and senior design leadership with green credentials.
Transit and infrastructure: Transit architecture and infrastructure expertise are in demand, reflecting public investment cycles and resilience planning.
High-density and mixed-use projects: Urban infill specialists and multifamily developers are actively hiring, particularly in West Coast and Hawaiian markets.
Cross-disciplinary skills: Business development, marketing, and proposal managers are sought after as firms pursue larger and more complex commissions.
Practical advice for candidates and hiring teams
With openings across firms of all sizes, now is a good time for practitioners to align skills and portfolios to market demand.
Firms should also adjust recruitment and onboarding to attract senior design and technical talent.
Tips for applicants
Tailor your portfolio: Emphasize projects that show experience in mixed-use, multifamily, transit, or sustainability where the firm has needs.
Highlight cross-functional experience: Business development, proposal work, and marketing experience can help you stand out for hybrid roles.
Be location-flexible: Opportunities are spread from NYC and LA to Honolulu and smaller metro markets. Consider relocation or hybrid arrangements.
Recommendations for firms hiring now
Invest in clear role descriptions: Candidates respond better to concrete deliverables and required software skills. Clear career paths also attract strong applicants.
Promote culture and mentorship: Senior candidates seek leadership opportunities. They value firms that support professional growth.
Broaden recruitment channels: Use academic partnerships to find specialized talent in sustainability and transit design. Targeted industry networks can also help reach qualified candidates.
The 2026 hiring landscape favors firms and candidates who can show adaptability across building types. Technical depth in sustainability and infrastructure is important, as are strong soft skills.
This is a good time to refine portfolios and focus on firms whose projects match your expertise.
Here is the source article for this story: These architecture firms are hiring the most aggressively in 2026 so far
