Architect / Technical Designer (Retail Sector) - Mid-Level

Vocon; Cleveland (OH); On-site; USD 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

Vocon is seeking a passionate architect in Cleveland, Ohio, to join their dynamic team. This full-time position requires a design professional with 5-10 years of experience in architecture or commercial interior design, particularly in the retail sector.

The ideal candidate will have strong project execution skills, proficiency in tools like REVIT and AutoCAD, and a commitment to delivering exceptional design solutions. The role offers opportunities for collaboration and growth within an interdisciplinary team.

Qualifications

• Design professional with 5-10 years of experience in commercial interior design and/or architecture.
• Experience in the retail sector is valued.
• LEED and/or Well credentials are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to executing small and medium-sized projects.
• Participate in all project phases from programming to design development.
• Produce design and presentation documents as required.
• Collaborate with team members to inform design outcomes.
• Conduct site surveys and prepare field reports.
• Assist in submittal reviews during construction.

Skills

Project execution skills

Communication

Team leadership

Technical design solutions

REVIT proficiency

BIM modeling

Education

Degree in architecture from an accredited university

Tools

REVIT

AutoCAD

Adobe Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

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Job Type: Full-time

Description

We believe…

Every project can make life better.

Strong relationships inspire great work.

We must push boundaries and explore new ideas.

Model the outcomes we aspire to create.

Only together can we give it our all.

At Vocon, we are proud of the diverse range of backgrounds, personalities, and passions that make up our team. But for all our differences, we are united by a core passion: creating designs that tell a story. We are an interdisciplinary team of thinkers, makers, doers and, most importantly, people. Our interdisciplinary team may have diverse backgrounds, but we speak with one voice. We share a passion for the power of design, and a commitment to collaboration at every stage of the creative process.

The Ideal Candidate

Passionate architect – licensed or on the path - who thrives in a fast‑paced, collaborative studio environment and brings energy, curiosity, and creativity to every phase of the design process. At Vocon, our retail practice is growing as we expand on our work. Team members working on these retail environments work directly with clients, consultants, and contractors. They are passionate about creating memorable retail experiences, with a strong sense of how design can reinforce brand identity and customer engagement.

Overview

As a mid-level design professional, you will support various project delivery efforts across multiple phases. This role involves performing foundational architectural tasks and contributing to developing design and technical solutions. You will work on small to medium-scale projects or assist with specific components of larger projects, applying standard architectural techniques under the guidance of senior team members. You will engage in drawing production, design development, and coordination with consultants and internal teams.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for contributing to executing small and medium-sized projects of limited complexity.
• Responsible for actively and regularly partnering with project leaders and teammates to execute projects.
• Participate as a contributing member of the project team in all aspects of the project scope.
• Contribute to project execution across multiple project phases, including programming, conceptual design, schematic design and design development.
• Produce design and presentation documents as required.
• Participate in client design presentations as required.
• Collaborate with team members early and often to inform design outcomes.
• Accountable for contributing to projects in alignment with the fee, schedule and construction cost in collaboration with the project team.
• Contribute to the construction documentation phase to ensure design intent.
• Develop planning concepts as applicable to the discipline: interiors: conceptual planning, spacing planning, building restacking and Architecture: conceptual planning, site planning.
• Support project team coordination for specifications and material selections required for construction.
• Support project team coordination for material location documentation (elevations, finish plans, etc.)
• Perform design layouts and features, including researching, compiling, and recording information for assigned project work.
• Develop design and technical solutions under the supervision of an architect, interior designer, director or principal.
• Perform specific portions of assignments using prescribed methods under general supervision while using design/production software, general office software and current presentation tools and standards.
• Assist with specifications and research products.
• Contributes to code analyses and is a primary point of contact with jurisdictions.
• Conducts on-site observations and prepares architect’s field reports.
• Assists in submittal reviews during construction, maintains RFI and submittal logs.
• Perform site surveys and maintain resource materials.
• Additional responsibilities as required.

Capabilities

• Strong project execution skills with knowledge of the full design process, competent in all conventional aspects of architecture.
• Highly adaptable and able to focus on a single client with diverse project types or manage multiple concurrent projects at various development stages.
• Ability to communicate design ideas and direction quickly.
• Ability to communicate effectively with clients, consultants, contractors, and staff.
• Strong interpersonal skills with all levels of management and staff.
• Excellent organizational and time management skills.
• Strong project and people leadership skills.
• Proficiency in REVIT, Enscape, Bluebeam, Newforma, AutoCAD, Adobe Suite, Microsoft Office and other applicable programs.
• Possess BIM modeling skills.

Qualifications

• Design professional with (typically) five to ten years of experience in commercial interior design and/or architecture.
• Degree in architecture from an accredited university.
• Design professional with (typically) five plus years in the retail sector.
• LEED and/or Well credentials are a plus.

This description indicates, in general terms, the type and level of work performed as well as the typical responsibilities of employees in this classification. The duties described are not to be interpreted as being all-inclusive to any specific employee. Management reserves the right to add, modify, change, or rescind the work assignments of different positions and to make reasonable accommodations so that qualified employees can perform the essential functions of the job.