Architect

Pay: Up to $62/hour

Opportunity Overview

Handshake is looking for experienced architects to support AI research through flexible, part-time contract work. This is not a traditional job. You’ll draw on your hands-on experience in architectural design, building systems, and project delivery, across residential, commercial, institutional, and mixed-use work, to evaluate AI-generated content and provide feedback that helps AI reason like a practicing architect. The Handshake AI program runs year-round, with project opportunities opening periodically across different areas of expertise.

This is an ongoing, project-based opportunity you can take on alongside your current role.

What You’ll Do

• Use your architectural expertise to create expert-level tasks that today’s top AI models can’t solve, based on real project workflows such as programming and space planning, schematic design, code and zoning analysis, construction documentation, detailing, and coordination with engineering consultants

• Review and evaluate AI-generated responses for technical accuracy, code compliance, constructability, and alignment with how architectural work is actually done

• Provide clear, structured written feedback to help improve AI model performance

• Work remotely and complete tasks at your own pace, with no set schedule or minimum hour requirement

Qualifications

• Degree: Completed Bachelor’s degree or higher in Architecture (B.Arch, M.Arch, or equivalent)

• Professional experience: At least 3 years of professional experience in architecture, including work on projects that were permitted, built, or approved

• Practice depth: Demonstrated expertise in one or more of the following areas:

  • Schematic design, design development, and space planning

  • Building codes, zoning, accessibility, and life safety analysis

  • Construction documents, detailing, and specifications

  • Building envelope, structure, and building systems coordination

  • Sustainable and high-performance design

  • Historic preservation, adaptive reuse, or urban design

Additional qualifications (not required, but strengthen your application)

• Licensure as an architect (RA) in the United States, or progress toward licensure through the ARE

• Proficiency with tools such as Revit, ArchiCAD, Vectorworks, AutoCAD, Rhino, or SketchUp, or experience leading BIM coordination

• Experience at an architecture firm, design-build firm, or developer, or experience leading projects through construction administration

Required for all applicants

• Must have US work authorization

• Strong written communication and attention to detail

• Ability to explain complex architectural concepts clearly

• Ability to work independently in a remote, asynchronous environment