Lead Architectural Designer

Job Description

Job Description

Lead Residential Architectural Designer

Design thoughtful homes. Develop a talented team. Work directly with clients.

We’re an established, family-owned custom home design-build company seeking an experienced Lead Architectural Designer to guide our design team and help clients bring their vision to life.

Our approach is built on personal relationships, integrity, craftsmanship, and accountability. We believe great homes begin with listening, thoughtful collaboration, and a commitment to doing what we say we’ll do. We’re looking for a leader who brings those values to both their designs and their working relationships.

About the Role

You’ll lead a three-person design team in a hands-on position combining custom residential design in Chief Architect and AutoCAD with team leadership, client communication, and responsibility for delivering accurate, buildable plans on schedule.

You’ll work closely with company leadership and construction staff, with the opportunity to strengthen our design processes and help shape a growing company.

What You’ll Do

· Design custom homes from initial concepts through coordinated construction documents.

· Lead and mentor the architectural and interior designers, providing clear priorities, constructive feedback, and accountability.

· Manage design schedules and workloads to keep projects moving and meet agreed milestones.

· Guide clients through floor plans, exterior design, and key decisions while respecting their vision and budget.

· Review drawings for accuracy, completeness, and coordination across architectural plans, interior details, and engineering.

· Collaborate with estimating and construction teams to address buildability, costs, and field questions.

· Maintain and improve Chief Architect templates, drawing standards, and quality-review procedures.

· Identify recurring design issues and turn lessons learned into better processes.

· Prepare and maintain select home designs for an online house-plan catalog.

What You Bring

· A strong portfolio of custom residential design work.

· Proficiency in Chief Architect and AutoCAD , including modeling, layouts, and construction documentation.

· Experience leading, mentoring, or coordinating other designers.

· Practical knowledge of residential construction, materials, detailing, and applicable building codes.

· The ability to balance creativity with budgets, deadlines, and construction requirements.

· Confidence leading client meetings and explaining design recommendations.

· Strong organization, attention to detail, and follow-through.

· A collaborative mindset and the willingness to own mistakes, resolve problems, and help others succeed.

Architectural licensure is not required. We value demonstrated design ability, construction knowledge, and effective leadership.

What Success Looks Like

Clients feel heard and confident in their decisions. Your team knows what needs to happen next and has the support to deliver. Plans are accurate, coordinated, and ready when needed. Construction teams can rely on the documents and receive timely help when questions arise.

Compensation and Benefits

· Base salary: $70,000-$100,000 plus bonuses, depending on experience

· Performance bonuses: Opportunity to earn bonuses tied to design production, schedule performance, and drawing quality and accuracy.

· Online plan-sales bonuses: Additional earning opportunity through participation in eligible house-plan sales.

· Benefits: Health insurance and retirement plans offered

· Work arrangement: In-office M-F, 8am – 5pm