Residential Architect, Project Developer

Harrell Design + Build; Mountain View (CA); On-site; USD 95,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock ownership

Health insurance

Paid time off

Mileage reimbursement

Professional development

Design-forward projects

Job summary

Harrell Design + Build in Mountain View, CA, is seeking a Residential Architect / Project Developer for full-time onsite work. You will guide clients from discovery to constructible design, balancing aesthetics with feasibility, budgeting, permitting, and construction realities.

The role emphasizes direct client interaction, collaboration with cross-functional teams, and delivering high-quality, buildable designs for custom residential projects.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in residential architecture, residential remodeling, or design-build.
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture required
• Current and active architect license required
• Strong understanding of residential design, space planning, permitting, and construction documentation
• Experience with remodels, additions, ADUs, and custom single-family residential projects
• Knowledge of local zoning, California Residential Code, and Title 24 coordination
• Ability to create designs that are both beautiful and buildable
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Proficiency with tools such as Chief Architect, Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Adobe, Microsoft Office, BuilderTrend, or similar platforms
• Valid driver’s license and ability to attend in-person client meetings and job walks

Responsibilities

• Meet with homeowners to understand goals, lifestyle needs, budget, and project vision.
• Develop architectural concepts, space plans, and design solutions for custom residential projects.
• Prepare accurate, code-compliant, and constructible drawings for design development and permitting.
• Ensure designs align with client priorities, budget expectations, schedule, and Harrell standards.
• Evaluate project feasibility, site conditions, zoning requirements, and applicable building codes.
• Coordinate permit submittals and respond to plan check comments as needed.
• Work with consultants, jurisdictions, and internal teams to support a smooth approval process.
• Partner with Sales, Interior Design, Estimating, Consultants, and Production to keep projects aligned.
• Provide design and constructability input throughout the preconstruction process.
• Support smooth handoffs from design into construction.
• Build trust-based relationships with clients through clear communication and follow-through.
• Help deliver a polished, professional, and high-touch client experience.
• Represent Harrell Design + Build with professionalism in the office, with clients, and on job sites.

Skills

Residential architecture

Client communication

Project development

Team collaboration

Budget & feasibility

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture

Architect license

Tools

Chief Architect

Revit

AutoCAD

Bluebeam

Adobe

Microsoft Office

BuilderTrend

Job description

Full-Time | Onsite | Mountain View, CA

Join an award-winning, employee-owned Design + Build firm where your architectural expertise, client communication skills, and ability to create beautiful, buildable homes directly support exceptional client experiences.

At Harrell Design + Build, we are seeking a skilled Residential Architect / Project Developer to help guide clients through the early stages of their remodeling journey while developing thoughtful, constructible residential designs.

This role is ideal for someone who understands residential remodeling, enjoys working directly with clients, and can balance design creativity with feasibility, budget, permitting, and construction realities.

What You’ll Do

Client Discovery & Project Development

• Meet with homeowners to understand their goals, lifestyle needs, budget, and project vision
• Support early project conversations by helping define scope, feasibility, and design direction
• Communicate the value of the design-build process with professionalism and confidence

Residential Design & Documentation

• Develop architectural concepts, space plans, and design solutions for custom residential projects
• Prepare accurate, code-compliant, and constructible drawings for design development and permitting
• Ensure designs align with client priorities, budget expectations, schedule, and Harrell standards

Feasibility, Permitting & Code Coordination

• Evaluate project feasibility, site conditions, zoning requirements, and applicable building codes
• Coordinate permit submittals and respond to plan check comments as needed
• Work with consultants, jurisdictions, and internal teams to support a smooth approval process

Team Collaboration

• Partner with Sales, Interior Design, Estimating, Consultants, and Production to keep projects aligned
• Provide design and constructability input throughout the preconstruction process
• Support smooth handoffs from design into construction

Client Experience

• Build trust-based relationships with clients through clear communication and follow-through
• Help deliver a polished, professional, and high-touch client experience
• Represent Harrell Design + Build with professionalism in the office, with clients, and on job sites

What Makes You Successful in This Role

• 5+ years of experience in residential architecture, residential remodeling, or design-build
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture required
• Current and active architect license required
• Strong understanding of residential design, space planning, permitting, and construction documentation
• Experience with remodels, additions, ADUs, and custom single-family residential projects
• Knowledge of local zoning, California Residential Code, and Title 24 coordination
• Ability to create designs that are both beautiful and buildable
• Strong communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills
• Highly organized with the ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines
• Proficiency with tools such as Chief Architect, Revit, AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Adobe, Microsoft Office, BuilderTrend, or similar platforms
• Valid driver’s license and ability to attend in-person client meetings and job walks

Who You Are

• A polished, professional, and client-focused architect
• A strong listener who can translate client goals into thoughtful design solutions
• Creative, practical, and constructability-minded
• Collaborative and team-oriented
• Detail-oriented without losing sight of the bigger picture
• Comfortable discussing design, budget, feasibility, and project expectations with clients
• Proactive, organized, and solutions-focused
• Committed to quality, professionalism, and continuous improvement

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: $95,000.00 - 115,000.00

Final compensation range to be confirmed based on experience, licensure, and qualifications.

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan — share in company success
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid time off + holidays
• Mileage reimbursement
• Professional growth and development opportunities
• Opportunity to work on high-quality, design-forward residential projects

Why Join Harrell Design + Build

• Employee-owned company with long-term wealth-building opportunity
• 35+ years of industry leadership and award-winning residential design-build work
• High-quality custom residential projects in the Bay Area
• Collaborative environment with experienced design, sales, estimating, and production teams
• Meaningful, creative work that directly impacts how clients live in their homes

Success in This Role Looks Like

• Producing thoughtful, high-quality residential designs
• Helping clients feel confident and supported through the design processDelivering accurate, timely, and permit-ready documentation
• Supporting strong alignment between design, budget, feasibility, and construction
• Collaborating effectively with internal teams and outside consultants
• Contributing to a professional, client-focused, employee-owned culture

Physical Requirements

This role requires working at a computer for extended periods, reviewing plans and specifications, attending client meetings, and participating in site visits or job walks. Site visits may include walking, standing, bending, climbing stairs, navigating uneven terrain, and wearing required PPE. The role may occasionally require lifting or carrying drawings, samples, or equipment up to 25 pounds.