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MG2

Global architecture, design, construction & branding

Principal Architect - Data Centers

Full-TimeDeadline 7/14/27
$125k - $200k/yr
Expert
Bachelor's, Master's
San Francisco, CA, USA
In Person
Architecture & Civil EngineeringArchitectural Design

About the job

Requirements
  • A bachelor's or master's degree in architecture or a related field.
  • At least 15 years of experience in a professional architecture or design firm.
  • Demonstrated success leading large-scale business operations and studio-wide financial management.
  • Proven ability to lead diverse studio groups while implementing tactical and strategic planning.
  • Previous experience leading the development and implementation of large-scale strategic initiatives.
  • Proven experience leading business development efforts, pursuing growth opportunities, and contributing to project proposals, request for proposal responses, and statements of qualifications.
  • Demonstrated ability to manage staffing resources across internal markets and multiple teams, including teams in different physical locations.
  • Demonstrated ability to develop and maintain strong client relationships.
  • Previous involvement in future-state organizational planning.
  • Demonstrated ability to navigate conflict while managing through change.
Responsibilities
  • Oversee staffing assignments and build project teams that can execute project work and deliver excellence in design, technical expertise, and project management.
  • Bring in new clients and new annual revenue against a top-line revenue target.
  • Maintain responsibility for project team performance, including design and delivery of contracted work and management of internal and external resources.
  • Collaborate with market leaders to set strategic direction for the design practice studio in alignment with firm-wide goals and annual business plans.
  • Oversee development and implementation of a consistent studio rhythm of business, including guidelines for project execution and client services.
  • Meet regularly with market leadership and Senior Project Managers to ensure design work aligns with project budgets and client goals.
  • Lead development and implementation of firm-wide strategic initiatives, including annual business planning.
  • Oversee cross-market collaboration and the growth of regional design practices and successful project team integration.
  • Review internal and external risks and lead implementation of risk-mitigation strategies.
  • Lead development of project proposals, request for proposal responses, and business development initiatives.
  • Develop and manage the annual studio operational budget with other studio leaders.
  • Manage the health and viability of client relationships through direct client interaction and identifying growth opportunities.
  • Collaborate with market leadership regarding acceptance of new work and strategic pursuits.
  • Participate in recruiting, hiring, and onboarding.
  • Meet with studio leadership and people managers to review individual team-member performance and provide feedback and guidance.
  • Oversee annual goal setting and performance reviews.
  • Collaborate with firm leaders and strategic partners on continuous improvement.
  • Provide guidance and constructive feedback to internal team members.
  • Oversee regional practice integration and facilitate cross-market collaboration.
  • Serve as a subject-matter expert and firm-wide resource with a highly specialized or uniquely relevant skill set.
  • Oversee implementation of tactical execution strategies aligned with annual business plans and firm-wide goals.
  • Navigate conflict, implement change, and facilitate difficult conversations focused on specific outcomes.
  • Engage in development and implementation of internal learning and development resources.
  • Ensure deliverable quality, client services, and financial performance across regional offices and studio groups.
  • Make strategic decisions related to staffing, business operations, and resource management.
  • Prioritize internal initiatives and billable work while balancing the needs of teams and studio groups.
  • Engage with project leaders and people managers to support a safe, comfortable, and equitable work environment.
  • Participate in external community activities and philanthropic events.
  • Contribute to decisions regarding staffing changes, employee promotions, and strategic team building.
  • Invest resources in the growth and professional development of individuals and project teams.
Desired Qualifications
  • Certification as a licensed professional.

About the company

MG2 is a global studio that provides architecture, design, construction, and branding services. It uses strategy and technical know-how to plan and build spaces that serve communities, enhance consumer experiences, and support client programs. Projects are carried out through integrated teams across multiple offices, combining architecture, interior design, engineering, and branding to deliver end-to-end outcomes for brands large and small. The company distinguishes itself by its size, global reach, and emphasis on social responsibility and people-centered culture, which it believes helps create places that people want to be. Its goal is to shape environments that connect people with brands and communities through thoughtful, scalable design and execution.

Company Size

201-500

Company Stage

N/A

Total Funding

N/A

Headquarters

Seattle, Washington

Founded

1971

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Simplify Jobs

Simplify's Take

What believers are saying

  • MG2 ranked #22 on BD+C's 2026 Top 200 Architecture Firms list.
  • June 2026 sustainability report strengthens credibility with ESG-focused retailers and institutional clients.
  • August 2026 Flight Club coverage and Oregon farmworker housing expand visible, current win momentum.

What critics are saying

  • Colliers will rebrand MG2, risking client defection and talent churn during 2025 integration.
  • Experiential retail depends on discretionary spending; one weak cycle can slash project pipelines fast.
  • Architecture margins face existential pressure if Colliers centralizes MG2's brand into commodity delivery.

What makes MG2 unique

  • 2024-12-04, Colliers Engineering & Design bought MG2, broadening multidisciplinary delivery.
  • MG2 combines retail, hospitality, branding, and architecture across seven offices, including Seattle and Shanghai.
  • Flight Club Seattle and Camino Colibri show unusual strength in experiential and affordable housing.

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Benefits

Health Insurance

Disability Insurance

Life Insurance

Paid Vacation

Paid Holidays

401(k) Company Match

Family Planning Benefits

Parental Leave

Professional Development Budget

Wellness Program

Company News

VMSD
Oct 2nd, 2026
Hunger game.

Hunger game. Restaurants, cafés and lounges are blurring the lines between hospitality and experience. 26 minutes ago October 2, 2026 MOVE OVER CHUCK E. Cheese. Ditto Dave & Buster's. Thanks to changing demographics, 78 percent of millennials and Gen Z prefer spending on experiences over things, according to Eventbrite's 2025 survey. They appreciate chef-driven eats and craft cocktails paired with a side of social interaction as well as a soupçon of authenticity. Here's a taste of what's on the table. Flight Club is a darts experience that leverages technology. For its Seattle location, State of Play Hospitality (Chicago) turned to MG2 (Seattle) to help bring the concept to life. Automated camera tracking scores games instantly, so players don't need to. On the menu, cocktail-forward beverages and shareable small plates. MG2's work included adapting the concept and brand standards to the local site as well as overall operational flow of the 7100-square-foot venue. THIS PAGE: Flight Club's Seattle locale mixes light bites, cocktails and interactivity. PHOTOS: ERIK SVEN PHOTOGRAPHY "Once guests enter the space, their eyes immediately follow the line of cabochon lights up the back bar and bottle shelves, then up the extended canopy arms that run overhead," says Joy Dayaw, MG2 Project Manager. "The cabochon lights are set to a warm and cozy 2000K and appear throughout the space in the tilted ring lights, oche boards and both bars." U-shaped ring lights throughout the main dining area open towards each other to encourage interaction between tables and oche (semi-private) areas. The cabochons that surround the oche boards "dance" when a player makes a high-scoring move or game-winning throw keeping the space energized. In 2011, Lil Woody's Burgers & Shakes (Seattle) established itself as a local neighborhood joint. For its sixth and latest location in Seattle-Tacoma International Airport, Ideation Design Group (Phoenix) served as interior designer, foodservice designer and architect. The 1849-square-foot space draws inspiration from existing locations and its irreverent brand voice, blending retro diner elements - overscaled signage, warm woods, industrial metalwork and playful graphics. A neon-inspired burger artwork establishes its visual identity, along with a checker-tiled low wall that nods to classic diner design. "Every material we chose had to perform double duty, standing up to airport-grade durability demands while still delivering the warmth and personality Lil Woody's guests expect," says Jeffrey Teuton, Interior Design Director at Ideation Design Group. "From the custom mosaic tile that anchors the space to the mix of charcoal metalwork and natural wood tones, we built a palette that feels authentic to the brand while ensuring longevity under high-traffic pressure." Buffalo Trace Distillery's John G. Carlisle Café is set at 4900 square feet and visually honors the brand's heritage and history. PHOTOS:AARON FARRIER Buffalo Trace Distillery is one of America's oldest whiskey distillers and a popular tourist spot. Earlier this year, the family-owned business transformed a 1935 building on its Frankfort, Ky., site into a much-needed café. ChangeUp (Miamisburg, Ohio) handled the details guided by the brand's legacy and promise, "Honor Tradition & Embrace Change." The 4900-square-foot John G. Carlisle Café is a natural extension of the distillery. From copper accents that recall the distilling process, to wood elements inspired by bourbon barrels, concrete and stone elements reflect the existing site conditions while the tin ceiling reinforces the building's heritage. "We preserved and leveraged original architectural elements, to create a cohesive and intentional environment," says Ryan Brazelton, Chief Creative Officer at ChangeUp. "There were some amazing wood arches that had been built around the fireplace, and the team worked to incorporate details like that right into the café experience." And for those in the know, the café is named in tribute to the politician who helped secure passage of the Bottled-in-Bond Act of 1897. Former editor-in-chief of VMSD magazine. Writing for VMSD since 1985-1998; 2022. Featured video. MasterClass: 're-sparkling' retail: using store design to build trust, faith and brand loyalty. HOW CAN WE EMPOWER and inspire senior leaders to see design as an investment for future retail growth? This session, led by retail design expert Ian Johnston from Quinine Design, explores how physical stores remain unmatched in the ability to build trust, faith, and loyalty with your customers, ultimately driving shareholder value. Presented by: Ian Johnston Founder and Creative Director, Quinine Design You may like.

MG2
Nov 5th, 2025
AIA Emerging Professional Friendly Firms

AIA Emerging Professional Friendly firms. MG2's Minneapolis Office was recognized as an AIA Emerging Professional Friendly Firm! This recognition celebrates its dedication to supporting recent graduates and those in the early stages of their careers through mentorship, collaboration, and meaningful professional growth.

MG2
Sep 10th, 2025
Announcing ENR West: Northwest 2025 Best Projects Winners

Announcing ENR West: Northwest 2025 Best projects Winners. September 10, 2025 ENR West recently announced its Northwest 2025 Best Project Winners and its First Light project in Seattle won for Best Residential / Hospitality! MG2 collaborated with Westbank, James KM Cheng Architects, and Build Group, Inc. to bring this mixed-use high-rise to life. Highlights include a cantilevered rooftop pool with panoramic views, a seven-story glass installation by artist John Hogan, a terraced clubhouse, and an open-air Secret Garden.

MG2
May 21st, 2025
Top 100 Shopping Mall, Big Box Store, and Strip Center Architecture Firms for 2024

MG2 was ranked #3 on the latest building design + construction's 2024 list of the top 100 shopping mall, big box store, and strip center architecture firms for 2024!

MG2
Feb 17th, 2025
MG2 Names Managing Principal in Minneapolis Office

Global architecture and design firm MG2 has promoted Scott Owen Jr. to managing principal in the Minneapolis office.