Licensed Architect

Wight & Company; Chicago, Darien (IL, CT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical

Dental

Vision

Disability

Life insurance

Flexible spending

Paid holidays

401(k)

Flexible work schedule

Job summary

Wight & Company, a nationally recognized architecture, engineering, and construction firm based in Chicago, seeks a Licensed Architect with 5–10 years of experience to lead design development, documentation, and construction administration on small to mid-sized projects.

You will collaborate with interdisciplinary teams, support client coordination, and contribute to high-quality project delivery from concept through completion.

Qualifications

• Licensed Architect with current registration and 5–10 years' experience.
• Strong design development, documentation and coordination skills.
• Experience leading interdisciplinary teams and construction administration.
• Proficient in BIM coordination and model-based workflows.

Responsibilities

• Design Development: advance concepts aligning with client goals and design quality.
• Project Execution: lead design, documentation, coordination and construction administration.
• Technical Documentation: produce comprehensive, code-aware documents.
• Technical Knowledge: apply building materials and systems knowledge across phases.
• Interdisciplinary Coordination: collaborate with engineers, consultants, and designers.
• Project Planning & Management: assist with scheduling, budgeting, and deliverables.
• Sustainability: integrate sustainable design principles into projects.
• Quality Assurance: ensure accuracy and constructability; minimize rework.
• Construction Administration: support submittals, RFIs, and field observations.
• Mentorship & Collaboration: guide junior staff and foster teamwork.

Skills

Design sensibility

Communication

Organizational skills

Professional judgment

Leadership

Collaboration

Creativity

Education

Bachelor's or Master's in Architecture

Tools

Revit

Enscape

Bluebeam

Procore

Adobe Creative Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Are you looking for an opportunity to do challenging, creative work that makes a real impact? Would you like to be part of a company that respects individual contributions and thrives on collaboration? Do you love to win? Then consider joining Wight & Company. We’re a nationally recognized, award-winning architecture, engineering, and construction firm known for a dynamic company culture that fosters innovation and challenges the status quo, and we’re looking for a talented professional to join our team.

We seek an experienced and highly skilled Licensed Architect with 5-10 years of professional experience to join our team. In this role, you will support and lead the development of design, technical documentation, coordination, and construction administration for small to mid-sized projects. You will collaborate closely with interdisciplinary teams, support client and consultant coordination, and contribute to high-quality project delivery from concept through completion. This position requires strong professional drive, technical judgment, design sensitivity, and self-direction. Potential candidates should demonstrate a thorough understanding of architectural design and documentation, analytical problem-solving skills, and a passion for high-quality design, integrated delivery, and collaborative processes.

Responsibilities

• Design Development: Contribute to and help advance design concepts that align with client goals, project requirements, technical feasibility, and Wight & Company’s commitment to high-quality design.
• Project Execution: Support and lead portions of architectural projects through design, documentation, coordination, and construction administration while maintaining alignment with scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations.
• Technical Documentation: Plan, develop, and produce comprehensive technical design and construction documents, ensuring accuracy, code awareness, graphic consistency, and alignment with project objectives.
• Technical Knowledge: Demonstrate a strong understanding of building materials, systems, specifications, codes, details, and construction techniques, and apply appropriate tools to design and document projects across all phases.
• Interdisciplinary Coordination & Collaboration: Coordinate with engineering, construction, consulting, and design team members through schematic design, design development, construction documents, and construction administration to support integrated, well-coordinated project delivery.
• Project Planning & Management: Work closely with the Project Manager, Project Architect, and Lead Project Designer to support work planning, task delegation, milestone tracking, and document delivery aligned with project schedule, budget, and Owner’s project requirements.
• Sustainability: Incorporate sustainable design principles and responsible material, systems, and performance strategies into project work in alignment with Wight & Company’s values.
• Quality Assurance: Review design and construction documents for accuracy, coordination, constructability, code compliance, and consistency with project goals. Identify potential design and construction issues and support timely resolution to reduce errors and rework. Adhere to the Wight Quality Assurance Program.
• Construction Administration: Support project-related construction administration activities, including submittal and RFI review, field observation documentation, OAC meeting participation, and issue resolution, with appropriate oversight by the Project Architect, Senior Architect, or Project Manager.
• Client and Consultant Coordination: Support client, consultant, and internal team communication by preparing materials, documenting decisions, presenting technical solutions, and helping maintain clear project alignment throughout the project lifecycle.
• Mentorship: Provide guidance and support to emerging professionals and design staff, contributing to a culture of collaboration, learning, accountability, and professional growth.
• Versatility: Adapt to various roles within a project, whether in leadership or support, while consistently performing at a high level. Proactively handle tasks beyond the primary scope and adjust to changing priorities to support project success, team collaboration, and firm excellence.

Requirements

• Licensure: Licensed Architect with current registration.
• Education: Bachelor’s or master’s degree in architecture from an accredited program.
• Experience: 5-10 years of professional experience in an architectural firm, with strong experience in design development, technical documentation, interdisciplinary coordination, and construction administration.
• Software Proficiency: Proficient in design and documentation software such as Revit, Enscape, Bluebeam, Procore, Adobe Creative Suite, and Microsoft Office. Experience coordinating BIM models and supporting model-based coordination workflows is preferred.
• Skills: Strong design sensibility, technical knowledge, communication skills, organizational ability, and sound professional judgment, with the ability to manage assignments independently and collaborate effectively within a team.
• Knowledge: Solid understanding of building codes, construction methods, materials, detailing, specifications, and sustainable design principles.
• Leadership: Demonstrated ability to take ownership of assigned project responsibilities, coordinate with team members, support project delivery, and mentor emerging professional.
• Collaboration: Demonstrated experience working in a collaborative, interdisciplinary environment with a focus on integrated design and delivery.
• Creativity: Demonstrated ability to contribute thoughtful design and technical solutions that balance aesthetics, functionality, constructability, and sustainability.

Salary Range: $80,000 - $120,000. Individual pay will be based on several factors including experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities of the applicant.

Benefits

Wight & Company offers excellent benefits and a wonderful work environment.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• disability
• life insurance
• flexible spending
• paid holidays
• paid time off
• 401(k)
• flexible work schedule

Wight & Company is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetics, protected veteran status, disability status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.

Wight & Company values diversity in our workforce. We are committed to recruiting, hiring, and promoting people with disabilities and veterans. If you need an accommodation to assist with completing the electronic application, please call us at 630.969.7000 and ask to speak with a Human Resources representative.

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