Senior Design Architect

Senior Design Architect

Grand Rapids firm is looking for a versatile licensed architect or architectural designer for a senior project designer role. Commercial experience as a technical architect ideally in more than one commercial sector is considered a prerequisite for the position given firm’s commitment to design and technical coherence. While not required, residential project experience would be considered a bonus. The candidate must have at least 10 years of architectural experience and will bring strengths in upfront programming, graphic communication and conceptual design informed by technical understanding and experience.

This person will lead the design efforts of a project while assisting with technical documentation on projects.

Responsibilities:

• Lead the design from the onset of a project through design development. This role requires the candidate to be capable of leading pre-design efforts and developing design concepts (site, exterior and interior).
• Engage in establishing design standards / protocols for the firm with the potential of being the design protocol lead.
• Oversee design through completion of construction / is a resource to the team as the project is developed / engages with the principal to set the design process and schedule: pre-design / programming, schematic, design development: including specification related design decisions, construction documents: strategic review of drawings and QC, construction administration: targeted review of design-sensitive shop drawings and submittals
• Owner communication participates in client facing meetings and communication throughout the project as related to design issues. The candidate must be motivated by client centric design and be highly gifted in understanding and articulating owner vision and needs.
• Design communication successfully orchestrates communication tools (graphics, computer modeling, packaging, marketing, etc.).

Qualifications:

• Master of architecture professional degree
• Registered architect (preferred)
• 10+ years of relevant professional work experience
• Exceptional design skills and thinking – can see the big picture.
• Strong graphic communication skills in multiple formats/software (SketchUp and Revit are required).
• Team player with maturity to work successfully within a design studio context.
• Alignment with mission + values of the firm
• Prioritizes relationships and knows how to cultivate partnerships.
• Strong communicator with both internal teammates and external partners.
• Can balance humility, empathy, and expertise through wisdom and servant leadership.
• Committed to continuous improvement and life-long learner.
• A student of design and is aware of the latest innovations in planning and design.