Project Architect SD

Carrier Johnson + CULTURE; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 80,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrier Johnson + CULTURE in San Diego is seeking a Project Architect to lead diverse architectural projects from concept to completion. The candidate will work independently, ensuring design intent and compliance with regulations, while also mentoring junior architects.

The ideal applicant has over 5 years of experience, a degree in architecture, and is proficient in Revit. This role offers the chance to foster client relationships and work on innovative, mixed-use developments.

Qualifications

• Registered/Licensed Architect with CA license preferred.
• 5+ years of experience in mixed-use or complex project types.
• Proficiency in Revit and architectural specifications.

Responsibilities

• Lead project development across all design phases.
• Coordinate teams and manage projects independently.
• Ensure adherence to quality and regulatory standards.

Skills

Revit proficiency

Architectural detailing

Building systems knowledge

Communication skills

Client relationship management

Education

Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture

Tools

BIM coordination

Job description

At Carrier Johnson + Culture (CJ+C), we are fueled by creativity, curiosity, and collaboration. Our team champions a user-first approach that pushes design boundaries and fosters innovation. Our work spans mixed-use residential, commercial, and civic projects of varying scales and complexities, delivered through collaboration, technical rigor, and thoughtful leadership. As a Project Architect, you'll partner with clients, design leaders, project managers, and interdisciplinary teams to help bring visionary concepts to reality.

Your Role

As a Project Architect at CJ+C, you'll assume significant responsibility on a wide range of projects, often handling multiple efforts simultaneously, leveraging your technical expertise, licensure, and collaborative skills to deliver projects from concept through construction with minimal oversight. With 5+ years of experience, you're a licensed professional fully capable of working independently on projects of appropriate size, completing all required tasks, coordinating consultant teams, guiding projects through plan check, permitting, and construction administration, and leading small to medium-sized internal teams. You act as a strong mentor to junior architects and emerging professionals. Your commitment to quality, problem-solving, and client partnerships makes CJ+C the ideal place to advance your career within a culture that values technical precision, innovation, and professional growth.

What You Will Do

• Lead the architectural and technical development of projects across all phases: concept, schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and construction administration.
• Develop and coordinate buildable solutions that align with project goals, budgets, schedules, and client expectations, with the capability to manage significant or entire projects independently.
• Lead small to medium-sized internal teams and coordinate external consultants to achieve seamless integration of building systems and disciplines.
• Guide projects confidently through plan check, permitting, zoning requirements, and regulatory approvals.
• Oversee construction administration, including responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, conducting site visits, and ensuring adherence to design intent and quality.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and Design Leaders on budgeting, scheduling, resource management, specifications and overall project delivery.
• Uphold rigorous Quality Assurance and Control standards across drawings, specifications, and deliverables, ensuring compliance with codes, regulations, and firm standards.
• Build and sustain strong client relationships alongside Project Managers and Design Leaders, fostering trust, repeat business, and long-term partnerships.
• Serve as a strong mentor to Job Captains and emerging professionals, providing guidance, technical feedback, and leadership to support their development

Your Qualifications

• Registered/Licensed Architect required. CA licensed strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's or master's degree in architecture from an accredited university required.
• 5+ years of professional experience, including significant work on mixed‑use or complex project typologies of varying scales and construction types. Residential Type I and Podium Type III + Type V preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Revit, with demonstrated hands‑on experience producing high‑quality construction documents, detailed modeling, and BIM coordination.
• Capability to work independently on projects of appropriate size, completing all required tasks with minimal supervision.
• Strong technical expertise in architectural detailing, building systems, construction methods, codes, and regulatory processes.
• Experience with California Building Code, seismic design, Title 24 energy compliance, and local permitting processes (San Diego/Los Angeles jurisdictions) highly preferred.
• Deep knowledge of sustainable design principles, practices, and certifications (LEED, WELL, etc.).
• Experience developing and coordinating architectural specifications.
• Experience with innovative low‑carbon materials such as mass timber preferred.
• Proven ability to lead small to medium‑sized teams, manage workflows, coordinate multidisciplinary consultants, and handle multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem‑solving, decision‑making, and pragmatic solution‑oriented approach.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to clearly convey ideas to clients, consultants, contractors, and internal teams.
• Extensive experience leading construction administration and mentoring junior team members through the CA process.
• Commitment to continuous learning, professional development, and knowledge‑sharing within the firm.

To be considered, please provide a current portfolio and/or work samples in PDF format.

Final role, title, and compensation will be commensurate with the candidate's specific expertise and skills.