Hiring Opportunities

See below for our current available positions

Summer 2025 Diversity Advancement Internship + Scholarship

WPA is accepting applications for the Summer 2025 Diversity Advancement Internship & Scholarship. This full-time internship position provides compensation at $22/hour + housing in Downtown Norfolk or Ghent + use of a WPA bike and helmet to help you get around easily (if applicable). The position is available to any rising 4th year or 5th year undergraduate student enrolled in an NAAB-accredited architecture program, or any graduate student at a NAAB-accredited master’s program of architecture. You will be awarded a $2,500 scholarship to be applied to tuition, technology, or portfolio materials upon completion.

This internship/scholarship has been created by all of us at WPA in order to help support students who are traditionally underrepresented in the field of architecture based on race, ethnicity, or gender identity & expression in the LGBTQIA+ community. Our profession will be better and stronger when architects and designers reflect the community around us, and WPA is committed to building a more just, equitable, diverse, and inclusive practice and profession.

At WPA, you will be immersed in a fun and interdisciplinary group of architects, interior designers, urban designers, graphic designers, industrial designers, and educational consultants in an open and collaborative environment. We expect you to come to the table with a love of actively participating in an urban environment, and a desire to use design to improve the lives of all citizens in our community.

Please submit a cover letter, resumé, and a portfolio to hiring@wparch.com. WPA’s mission is to strengthen community through a collaborative design process. We do this by only taking on projects that build social, economic, and coastal resilience. In your cover lever, please tell us how your background or identity has shaped your understanding of resilience. How do you hope to bring these perspectives to your work? Your resumé should include two references, preferably one academic and one professional reference.

The deadline for applications is midnight on March 10, 2025. Interviews will be conducted during the second and third weeks of March, with candidate selection before the end of the month. The duration of this internship is for approximately 2-months beginning June 2nd and ending August 8th, with the final dates and duration negotiated with the selected candidate. Applicants must meet the requirements of the I-9 form. If you have any questions about the application or application process, please reach out to erin@wparch.com.

Architectural Designer

We are looking for a new addition to the WPA team! You will be working with a fun and interdisciplinary group of architects, interior designers, urban designers, graphic designers, and industrial designers in an open and collaborative environment. Your role is going to be an exciting one, as WPA has an incredible portfolio of adaptive reuse projects, higher education, and commercial projects, ready to get started as soon as you are ready!

Our buildings are integrated into the urban landscape. As an Architectural Designer, in addition to working on building design, you will be working with our in-house urban design team and our amazing team of consultants who are experts in coastal resilience. You will be able to see your region change around you in just a few years as we design projects that positively affect our families and our neighbors. We expect you to come to the table with a love of actively participating in an urban environment, walking and biking, and designing and detailing to improve the lives of all citizens in our community. You should be comfortable with and enjoy listening, presenting, and sketching out ideas in front of a crowd.

Preferred Qualifications

  • NAAB accredited Bachelor of Architecture
  • 1-4 years of professional experience and on the path to licensure
  • Experience or interest in civic engagement
  • Self-Starter who has a desire to grow at WPA
  • Great research process for problem-solving
  • Rendering abilities and an eye for excellent composition and graphic design

Software

  • Revit (Ideally proficient, but our BIM Manager can also train you up!)
  • Enscape (we can teach you this one quickly if you already have rendering knowledge)
  • SketchUp Pro
  • Adobe Creative Suite

Salary

  • WPA is a financially open-books, open-salary company. Our interview process includes time for you to get to know us, for us to get to know you, and for you to make us an offer on the appropriate salary that meets your qualifications.

Relocation Fees

  • Yes! If you fall in love with Norfolk like we have, we will pay to bring you here!

Please send resumes and portfolio samples to our hiring committee at hiring@wparch.com

Interior Designer

We’re looking for an Interior Designer to join the WPA team of architects, urban designers, industrial and graphic designers! Our approach is driven by transparency, collaboration, and a dedication to uplifting the communities and institutions we serve. Your role is going to be an exciting one, as WPA has an incredible portfolio of adaptive reuse projects, higher education, multi-family, civic, and commercial projects. We’re looking for a creative with a passion for building relationships and who can foster trust with our diverse spectrum of clients and community members. We offer a flexible and hybrid work schedule but hope you’ll want to join us often in our studio at Assembly, located in Downtown Norfolk; a space designed to connect ideas and the people who make them.

The Role

At WPA, we highly value the thoughtful perspective interior designers bring to our work. As our newest designer, you will be an integral part of creating environments that reflect the vibrant cultures and communities we serve. We value the expertise interior designers bring to our projects, which is why we will involve you early on and rely on your input and design leadership throughout the entire process. Designing for inclusivity and sustainability means we will lean on you to ensure spaces are not only beautiful and inspiring, but are also accessible and functional, materials withstand the test of time, and projects are thoughtfully planned with the future in mind.

There is never a boring day at WPA. We are constantly learning and collaborating. A day in the life could include anything from research, developing custom fabrication details, prototyping and testing materials, meeting with clients, or curating furnishings. Do you thrive in an environment where your unique perspective is not only valued but celebrated? If so, we invite you to join our team as a Commercial Interior Designer.

Responsibilities

  1. Design Excellence: Elevate our design ethos with innovative and creative interior concepts that capture the essence of our clients’ needs.
  2. Community Engagement: Forge connections with our communities and clients to ensure our designs authentically represent their values and aspirations.
  3. Client Relationships: Build and maintain strong client relationships through active collaboration and clear communication, making them feel heard and valued.
  4. Financial Transparency: Embrace our commitment to financial transparency and actively engage in discussions and decisions that impact the firm’s direction.
  5. Team Collaboration: Work closely with our diverse team of architects, designers, and stakeholders to bring your designs to life.

What Sets Us Apart

  • Team Diversity: We actively seek team members who bring varied experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds to the table. Our commitment to inclusion is a fundamental belief that drives our creativity and innovation.
  • Community-Centric Design: Our projects are more than just buildings; they are expressions of the communities and cultures they serve. We celebrate the uniqueness of each project and the people it serves.
  • Financial Transparency: We believe in open, honest, and collaborative financial practices. Everyone at our firm has a voice in shaping our financial decisions and the opportunity to become an owner.

Preferred Qualifications

  • NCIDQ Certified or working towards NCIDQ Certification
  • 4 or 5-year accredited bachelor’s degree in Interior Design or Interior Architecture
  • 3+ years of professional experience

Software

  • Revit (proficiency is a must)
  • Adobe Creative Suite
  • SketchUp Pro
  • Enscape (a bonus — if you don’t know it, we will teach it to you quickly!)

Salary

  • WPA is a financially open-books, open-salary company. Together, we will review WPA’s salary framework and come to an agreement on a compensation package that fits your role and responsibilities within the context of WPA’s transparent culture and the latest AIA Compensation Report.
  • Salary range will be based on skills and experience level
    • Interior Designer II range: $70,000 – $80,000
    • Interior Designer III range: $80,000 – $90,000+
    • Senior Interior Designer: $90,000+

Relocation Fees

  • Yes! If you fall in love with Norfolk like we have, we will pay to get you here!

Application Process

Please send resume, a cover letter, and a portfolio showcasing your work to hiring@wparch.com.

Note: This job description is intended to capture the spirit of our firm and the role we envision. Work Program Architects is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.

Project Manager

We are looking for a new addition to the WPA team! You will be working with a fun and interdisciplinary group of architects, interior designers, urban designers, graphic designers, and industrial designers in an open and collaborative environment. Your role is going to be an exciting one, as WPA has an incredible portfolio of adaptive reuse projects, higher education, and commercial projects, ready to get started as soon as you are ready! We have a brand-new studio at Assembly and we can’t wait to enjoy the rooftop terrace together now that the sun is out and the weather is beautiful!

Our buildings are integrated into the urban landscape. As a Project Manager, in addition to working on project administration and coordination, you will be working with our in-house urban design team and our amazing team of consultants who are experts in coastal resilience. You will be able to see your region change around you in just a few years as we design projects that positively affect our families and our neighbors. We expect you to come to the table with a love of actively participating in an urban environment, walking and biking, and designing and detailing to improve the lives of all citizens in our community. You should be comfortable with and enjoy listening, presenting, and discussing ideas in front of a crowd.

Preferred Qualifications

  • NAAB accredited Bachelor of Architecture
  • 8+ years of professional experience — licensure required
  • Experience with architectural planning and coordination of medium-to-large size projects.
  • Ability to understand and estimate scope, write fee proposals and contracts, schedule and administer work, and manage project communications and documentation.
  • Adept at following processes as well as participating in the development of new processes, techniques and technologies.
  • Excellent communication skills, both in written/graphic applications as well as between operations staff, other architects and project managers, consultants, and clients.

Software

  • Revit — proficiency preferred
  • Microsoft Office Suite
  • Industry standard project management software (Procore, Sharepoint, etc.)
  • Adobe Creative Suite

Salary

  • WPA is a financially open-books, open-salary company. Our interview process includes time for you to get to know us, for us to get to know you, and for you to make us an offer on the appropriate salary that meets your qualifications.

Relocation Fees

  • Yes! If you fall in love with Norfolk like we have, we will pay to bring you here!

Please send resumes and portfolio samples to our hiring committee at hiring@wparch.com

Architect II / III

We are looking for a new addition to the WPA team! You will be working with a fun and interdisciplinary group of architects, interior designers, urban designers, graphic designers, and industrial designers in an open and collaborative environment. Your role is going to be an exciting one, as WPA has an incredible portfolio of adaptive reuse projects, higher education, and commercial projects, ready to get started as soon as you are ready! We have a brand-new studio at Assembly and we can’t wait to enjoy the rooftop terrace together now that the sun is out and the weather is beautiful!

Our buildings are integrated into the urban landscape. As a Project Architect, in addition to working on building design, you will be working with our in-house urban design team and our amazing team of consultants who are experts in coastal resilience. You will be able to see your region change around you in just a few years as we design projects that positively affect our families and our neighbors. We expect you to come to the table with a love of actively participating in an urban environment, walking and biking, and designing and detailing to improve the lives of all citizens in our community. You should be comfortable with and enjoy listening, presenting, and sketching out ideas in front of a crowd.

Preferred Qualifications

  • NAAB accredited Bachelor of Architecture
  • 6+ years of professional experience — licensure required
  • Experience or interest in civic engagement
  • Experience with architectural planning, design, and coordination of medium-to-large size projects.
  • Ability to individually generate advanced design solutions for complex technical problems.
  • Adept at following processes as well as participating in the development of new processes, techniques and technologies.
  • Excellent communication skills, both in written/graphic applications as well as between operations staff, other architects and project managers, consultants, and clients.
  • Rendering abilities and an eye for excellent composition and graphic design

Software

  • Revit — must be proficient
  • Enscape (we can teach you this one quickly if you already have rendering knowledge)
  • SketchUp Pro/Rhino are great to have but not necessary
  • Adobe Creative Suite

Salary

  • WPA is a financially open-books, open-salary company. Our interview process includes time for you to get to know us, for us to get to know you, and for you to make us an offer on the appropriate salary that meets your qualifications.

Relocation Fees

  • Yes! If you fall in love with Norfolk like we have, we will pay to bring you here!

Please send resumes and portfolio samples to our hiring committee at hiring@wparch.com