Lead Architect

Archinect; Fontana (CA); On-site; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Emaar Enterprise is looking for a licensed Lead Architect for their projects across San Bernardino County, California. This role will be responsible for stamping drawings and managing an offshore drafting team, ensuring adherence to California codes.

The ideal candidate will have at least 10 years of experience with a focus on technical detailing in multifamily and commercial architecture, along with strong knowledge of local regulations.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of architectural experience, particularly in multifamily and commercial projects.
• Proven experience managing and QC-ing work.
• Deep understanding of California Building Code and local zoning regulations.

Responsibilities

• Serve as legal Architect of Record, reviewing and sealing designs.
• Direct offshore drafting team and maintain QA/QC standards.
• Manage the permitting process and integrate consultant designs.

Skills

Architectural design

Technical detailing

California Building Code

Revit proficiency

QA/QC management

Education

Active Registered Architect (RA) license in California

Tools

Revit

BIM 360

Job description

Emaar Enterprise is bringing our architectural design and production in-house. We are seeking a highly technical, licensed Lead Architect to serve as our internal Architect of Record (AOR) for our growing real estate portfolio across San Bernardino County.

In this critical leadership role, you will be the stamping architect for our residential (SF/multifamily) and commercial development projects. You will not be drafting from scratch. Instead, you will direct an offshore drafting team, acting as the primary QA/QC reviewer to ensure all drawings meet California codes, our brand standards, and are ready for your stamp and local plan check.

Core Responsibilities

• In-House AOR & Liability: Serve as the legal Architect of Record. Review, stamp, and seal architectural drawing sets, taking responsibility for life safety, code compliance, and structural integrity.
• Offshore Team Management & QA/QC: Direct a dedicated offshore drafting team. Assign production work, establish standard operating procedures (SOPs), and ruthlessly redline drawings to ensure accuracy, code compliance, and constructability.
• Permitting & Plan Check: Take direct ownership of the permitting process. Submit drawing sets to cities in San Bernardino County and local municipal building departments, and rapidly resolve plan check comments.
• BIM & Cloud Management: Establish and maintain the firm’s Revit templates and drafting standards. Manage cloud-based models, such as BIM 360 / Autodesk Construction Cloud, to ensure seamless collaboration between local management and offshore production.
• Consultant Coordination: Coordinate with external local engineering consultants, including Structural, MEP, and Civil. Integrate their designs seamlessly into the master architectural models.
• Construction Administration: Act as the AOR during construction. Respond directly to contractor RFIs, review technical submittals/shop drawings, and issue Architectural Supplemental Instructions (ASIs).

Required Qualifications

• Licensure: Active Registered Architect (RA) license in the State of California is strictly required.
• Experience: 10+ years of architectural experience with a heavy emphasis on technical detailing, CD production, and acting as the Lead Project Architect on large-scale multifamily and commercial projects.
• Team Management: Proven experience managing, redlining, and QC-ing work from junior architects.
• Local Code Expertise: Deep, working knowledge of the California Building Code (CBC), Title 24, ADA, and San Bernardino County zoning and building regulations.
• Technical Mastery: Expert-level proficiency in Revit (BIM) and BIM 360 is mandatory. You must be capable of auditing complex models and enforcing CAD/BIM standards.