Architectural Designer III - PreK-12

HED; San Francisco (CA); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

HED is seeking an Architectural Designer III to join our growing PreK–12 Education practice in the San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Los Angeles offices. This mid-level role supports project teams from early design through construction under supervision, with increasing autonomy as experience grows.

The ideal candidate brings experience delivering California PreK-12 facilities and a strong understanding of DSA requirements, working in a collaborative, design‑driven environment that values

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in architecture or relevant field required.
• LEED Accredited preferred; commitment to sustainable design.
• Minimum seven (7) years’ experience in the A/E industry.
• Proficiency in Revit required.
• Demonstrated experience delivering California PreK-12 educational facilities projects.
• Strong knowledge of DSA procedures, California Building Code, and Accessibility Code.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; strong organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning and coordination of the architectural scope of work with the Project Manager.
• Produce and manage coordinated construction documents meeting quality and code standards.
• Coordinate with internal and external teams to ensure design integrity across disciplines.
• Support regulatory compliance and coordinate with AHJs for permitting and approvals.
• Conduct materials research to inform detailing and specification development.
• Oversee construction administration activities under senior leadership guidance.
• May serve as Architect of Record and sign/seal documents as appropriate.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to technical standards.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Architect licensure in progress

Tools

DSA procedures knowledge

Job description

Position Summary

HED is seeking a passionate Architectural Designer III to join our growing PreK–12 Education practice in our San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Los Angeles offices. Architectural Designer III is a mid-level technical architecture role that is responsible for assisting PreK-12 sector project teams from early design through construction under the supervision of a seasoned Architect and/or Project Designer. Candidates are passionate, motivated, and eager to further develop their technical and design skills in an environment that promotes collaboration and critical thinking. This professional will be expected to operate with increasing autonomy while receiving guidance from senior staff on more complex elements.

Position Summary

HED is seeking a passionate Architectural Designer III to join our growing PreK–12 Education practice in our San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento, and Los Angeles offices. Architectural Designer III is a mid-level technical architecture role that is responsible for assisting PreK-12 sector project teams from early design through construction under the supervision of a seasoned Architect and/or Project Designer. Candidates are passionate, motivated, and eager to further develop their technical and design skills in an environment that promotes collaboration and critical thinking. This professional will be expected to operate with increasing autonomy while receiving guidance from senior staff on more complex elements.

The ideal candidate will bring experience delivering California PreK-12 educational facilities and a strong understanding of Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements.

HED Culture

At HED, we believe great design has the power to improve lives through positive impact. Our PreK–12 practice creates inspiring learning environments that support educational excellence, community engagement, and student success. As an integrated design firm, we bring together architects, engineers, planners, and designers to solve complex challenges through collaboration, innovation, and technical excellence.

Our culture is guided by six core values

• Do It as a Team – We believe the best solutions emerge through collaboration, trust, and shared accountability across disciplines and project teams.
• Be You With Us – We value diverse perspectives, experiences, and ideas, creating an inclusive environment where individuals can bring their authentic selves to work.
• Make a Mark – We are driven to create meaningful impact through design, delivering projects that strengthen communities and improve lives.
• Embrace Change – We approach challenges with curiosity and adaptability, continuously evolving our thinking, processes, and solutions.
• Thrive With Growth – We invest in mentorship, professional development, and lifelong learning, empowering our people to reach their full potential.
• Strive for Performance – We pursue excellence in design, technical execution, client service, and project delivery, holding ourselves to the highest standards.

When you join HED, you’ll have the opportunity to

• Design impactful educational environments that serve students, educators, and communities.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver thoughtful, sustainable, and high‑performing solutions.
• Partner with school districts, educational stakeholders, consultants, and regulatory agencies to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Contribute to a culture that values mentorship, professional growth, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
• Work in a flexible hybrid environment that balances autonomy with meaningful in‑person collaboration.
• Be part of a team committed to design excellence, technical rigor, and creating lasting positive impact.

Work Environment

• We embrace a hybrid model that promotes both autonomy and collaboration, including the freedom to work from home, with regular in‑office days to connect with teammates and build culture.
• The office is a professional, open‑space environment for collaborative and independent work.

Typical Duties

• Lead planning and coordination of the architectural scope of work, including development and maintenance of the Discipline Work Plan (DWP) in collaboration with the Project Manager
• Produce and manage coordinated construction documents that meet firm quality standards, technical accuracy, and code compliance in accordance with the HED Design Process
• Coordinate with internal team members and external consultants to ensure technical alignment, design integrity, and consistency across all disciplines
• Support code interpretation and regulatory compliance and coordinate with Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs) for permitting and approvals
• Conduct material, product, and building systems research to inform detailing and specification development
• Oversee construction administration activities, including RFIs, submittals, and field reports, under supervision of senior technical leadership
• May serves as Architect of Record for projects as determined by project leadership, and sign/seal documents as appropriate
• Provide technical mentorship to junior team members and support development of technical standards

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree and licensure or in the process of licensure required
• LEED Accredited preferred, with a passion for sustainable and resilient design
• Minimum seven (7) years’ experience in the A/E industry required
• Proficiency in Revit required
• Demonstrated experience delivering California PreK-12 educational facilities projects required
• Strong working knowledge of DSA procedures, California Building Code, California Accessibility Code, and educational facility design standards
• A comprehensive understanding of the coordination aspects and related requirements of all design disciplines
• Good written and verbal communication skills as well as strong organizational skills
• Possess the ability to motivate and mentor staff and delegate work assignments
• Very detail‑oriented, self‑motivated, enthusiastic, and flexible
• Ability to work well with others under deadline situations

Physical Requirements

• Capable of traveling to and from project sites to attend client, project, and construction meetings
• Ability to access existing and new project sites for observation, investigation, and evaluation purposes
• Ability to use equipment for communication and documentation purposes
• Visual acuity to perform responsibilities

In compliance with all applicable or other employment requirements, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status or status as an individual with disability and arrest and conviction records.