INTERMEDIATE ARCHITECT

Role Description:

Mariam Issoufou Architects (MIA) is looking for an intermediate architect to join our NYC team on an immediate, fixed-term basis (3 months, with possibility of extension). This is a hands-on design and production role at a critical moment in the practice's project pipeline. The successful candidate will work closely with the principal and the NYC Senior Architect on design development, drawing production, competition boards, and portfolio coordination. Design thinking, spatial intelligence, and the ability to communicate ideas visually and verbally are as important as technical execution.

Required skills & experience:

Mariam Issoufou Architects (MIA) is looking for an intermediate architect to join our NYC team on an immediate, fixed-term basis (3 months, with possibility of extension). This is a hands-on design and production role at a critical moment in the practice's project pipeline. The successful candidate will work closely with the principal and the NYC Senior Architect on design development, drawing production, competition boards, and portfolio coordination. Design thinking, spatial intelligence, and the ability to communicate ideas visually and verbally are as important as technical execution.

Required skills & experience:

Software — essential

• ArchiCAD — strong working proficiency required; the practice's primary 3D modelling and drawing production platform

• Adobe InDesign — advanced proficiency required for competition board layout, portfolio production, and presentation design

• Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator — strong working proficiency for image editing, diagram production, and graphic communication

• Rhino or equivalent — competent 3D modelling for massing, urban scale studies, and visualisation preparation

Design

• 5+ years of experience in architectural design, with a demonstrable interest in cultural, civic, or community-oriented projects

• Strong spatial intelligence at multiple scales — from urban masterplan to building detail

• Ability to develop and communicate design concepts through drawing, diagrams, and models

• Experience with mixed-use or urban-scale projects is an advantage

• Familiarity with Gulf, African, or Global South architectural contexts is an advantage but not required

Production

• Experience producing competition or tender submissions — boards, portfolios, presentation packages

• Ability to work to tight deadlines without sacrificing quality

• Attention to graphic precision: layout, typography, image resolution, print specifications

• Experience coordinating drawing packages across multiple team members

Communication

• Clear written English — ability to contribute to design narratives and project descriptions

• Comfortable presenting work and receiving feedback directly from the principal

• French or Arabic language skills are a welcome addition but are not required

What we offer:

• Immediate immersion in a significant invited international competition

• A practice environment that takes cultural seriousness and design rigour as baseline expectations, not aspirations

• Exposure to a genuinely international project portfolio — Africa, Gulf, Europe, North America

• Possibility of contract extension or longer-term engagement depending on project pipeline

• Monthly compensation of USD $6,700–$7,500 (equivalent to USD $80,000– $90,000 annualised)

Application:

Send all three of the following to studio@mariamissoufou.com: Subject line: Intermediate Architect Application — [Your Name]

• CV — max 2 pages

• Portfolio — max 15 pages, PDF, max 10MB (indicate which work is your own on collaborative projects)

• Cover note — max 1 page explaining why this role and this practice, right now

Applications missing any component will not be reviewed. Applications reviewed on a rolling basis. The position closes as soon as the right candidate is found.