Senior Project Architect & Design Manager

At Jacobs, we are shaping the future of cities by delivering innovative, sustainable solutions that enhance how people live, work, and connect. Our California Cities & Places team collaborates with public- and private-sector clients to create environments that are functional, resilient, and inspiring. As we continue to grow our architectural practice throughout California, we are seeking a client-facing Senior Project Architect & Design Manager based in Los Angeles, Irvine, or San Francisco, CA to help lead complex, transformative projects that positively impact communities and clients alike.

This position functions primarily as a senior-level Project Architect with deep expertise in building codes and regulatory compliance. The successful candidate will serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) for building codes, zoning ordinances, life safety requirements, and applicable regulatory standards across a diverse project portfolio. In this role, you will ensure project compliance with local, state, and national codes while supporting risk mitigation, quality assurance, and overall project efficiency. This responsibility includes serving as Architect of Record (AOR) on a range of projects throughout California.

In addition, as a Senior Design Manager, this role will lead multidisciplinary teams on cross-market projects where architecture is a core component. The position requires close collaboration with internal and external stakeholders to ensure project alignment with Jacobs’ rigorous Quality Program and design excellence standards. Project assignments will span Jacobs’ core markets, including corporate, industrial, high-tech, municipal, transit, aviation, water, and higher education.

Please note: This is a hybrid position and will require you to be in the office 2-3 days a week typically with travel to construction site locations in Northern or Southern California (depending on applicants location) on a regular basis.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a Snr. Project Architect and/or Design Manager on medium-to-large, complex architectural projects across the Cities & Places market in the West.

• Coordinate and develop the architectural design and technical development from early concept through construction documentation and construction contract administration.

• Coordinate multidisciplinary teams including architecture, engineering, planning, interiors, and specialty consultants and provide code analysis and compliance strategies during project planning, design development, and construction.

• Facilitate client presentations, design reviews, and stakeholder engagement activities.

• Lead architectural design team efforts for construction phase services, providing or overseeing Jacobs’ responses to RFIs, submittal and shop drawing reviews, construction modification documents, and site visit/observations.

• Provide Quality Assurance and Quality Control reviews on Code Summary and Life Safety plans and serve as an SME on building codes, zoning regulations, and life safety requirements across numerous projects in California and the wider region.

• Interpret and apply local, state (CBC), and national building codes (e.g., IBC , IFC, ADA, NFPA, local amendments)

• Be responsible for the overall quality of design deliverables in adherence with Jacobs’ rigorous Quality Program.

• Oversee and manage project design schedules, deliverables, and quality standards to ensure alignment with scope and client expectations.

• Mentor and guide junior architects and designers, fostering a collaborative project environment.

• Partner with project managers to manage design risk, resolve technical challenges, and ensure successful execution.

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• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture

• Licensed Architect (California)

• Minimum 20 years of architectural experience, including experience leading complex, multi-disciplinary building and infrastructure design projects.

• Understanding and reasonable proficiency in AutoCAD, Revit, and BIM workflows.

• In-depth understanding of building codes and have experience applying these to projects in one or more of the following core markets; Science & Tech, Commercial, Industrial, and Transportation markets.

• Experience leading ground-up new build and Core & Shell as well as ‘warm-shell’ interior fit-out projects working alongside a core & shell/developer team.

• Experience with alternative delivery models: Design-Build, Progressive-Design-Build, CMAR, P3, Integrated Project Delivery, etc.

• Comfort working in a fast paced, collaborative project environment including ground-up and Tenant Improvement projects.

• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary design teams.

• Strong organizational, communications (verbal, written as well as hand sketching) skills, and leadership abilities are required.

Ideally, you’ll also have:

• Licensed Architect (Oregon, Washington, Nevada, Arizona, or Texas) in addition to California.

• NCARB Certificate for reciprocal licensing as required.

• DBIA Certification

• Strong design sensibility combined with technical expertise.

• Experience working with California-specific transit agencies for bus, rail, and ferry terminal & station facilities.

• Experience with sustainable design frameworks (LEED, WELL, Envision, etc.).

The salary range reflects the minimum and maximum target new hire salaries for this position across all listed U.S. locations.

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Jacobs is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical conditions related to pregnancy, childbirth, or breastfeeding), age, medical condition, marital or domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression and transgender status, mental disability or physical disability, genetic information, military or veteran status, citizenship, low-income status or any other status or characteristic protected by applicable law. Learn more about your rights under Federal EEO laws and supplemental language.