Architecture Recruiting by People Who Know Architecture.
Finding the right architect shouldn't feel like a second full-time job.
Talent-Smiths is a specialized architecture recruiting firm founded by a former practicing architect.
We help architecture firms find Project Architects, Project Managers, Senior Architects, and future leaders. Including the ones who aren't actively looking for another job.
Good architects are hard to find. The right ones are even harder.
You shouldn't have to explain architecture to your recruiter.
You can get 60 applications and still not find the person you need.
Someone who can manage consultants, run a drawing set, talk to clients, lead a team, and actually fit into the way your studio operates.
And just because someone has the right title doesn't mean they have the right experience.
That's where we come in.
Before starting Talent-Smiths, I spent nearly seven years practicing architecture, working on multifamily and mixed-use projects from early design through construction.
I know the difference between a Project Architect and a Project Manager. I know what it means to actually own a project. And I understand why someone coming from a 200-person firm might not be the right fit for your 15-person studio.
Those details matter.
Especially when you're hiring someone who needs to contribute from day one.
Architecture roles we recruit for
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Experienced architects who can take ownership of design documentation, coordination, and project delivery.
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People who can lead teams, manage clients, and keep projects moving.
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Experienced technical and design professionals ready to take on more responsibility.
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Architects with relevant experience in healthcare planning, documentation, and project delivery.
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Senior professionals capable of leading teams, building relationships, and helping grow a practice.
The title isn't always the important part. It's what you actually need that person to do.
We're not interested in sending you more resumes.
We start by understanding the role, the firm, and what a successful hire actually looks like.
Then we identify people doing comparable work at other firms.
We approach them directly, learn what might make a move worthwhile, and introduce the few who genuinely make sense.
Not a database dump.
Not ten candidates who sort of fit.
A smaller shortlist, on purpose.
Built for architecture firms that need the right people.
We particularly enjoy working with smaller and mid-sized architecture practices.
The kinds of firms where one strong Project Architect can make a real difference, and one bad hire can create months of headaches.
Maybe your job posting isn't working. Maybe the people you're interviewing don't have enough experience. Or maybe the person you need is already employed somewhere else.
That's the problem we help solve.
Frequently asked questions
Most Talent-Smiths searches are handled on a contingent basis, typically at 18% of the hired candidate's first-year base salary.
There's no upfront fee. You only pay if you hire someone we introduce. Successful placements also include a 90-day replacement guarantee.
How much does an architecture recruiting agency charge?
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Yes. That's a big part of what we do.
Many experienced architects aren't applying to job postings. We identify people doing relevant work and approach them directly to see whether a new opportunity might make sense.
Do you recruit architects who aren't actively looking?
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Absolutely. We work with firms of different sizes, with a particular focus on smaller and mid-sized practices that need experienced people who can take real ownership.
Do you work with small architecture firms?
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Do you recruit architects nationwide?
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Yes. We work with architecture firms across the United States, tailoring each search to the local market, project type, and experience required.