Senior Architect

Venture Personnel; Akron (OH); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading boutique architecture firm in Akron, Ohio is seeking an experienced Project Architect or Senior Architect. This position involves managing the complete project lifecycle for national retail and restaurant designs. Candidates should possess an active Registered Architect license and have 8-14 years of relevant experience. Skills in AutoCAD and project management are essential, along with a strong understanding of commercial architecture. The firm offers varied compensation from $80,000 to $125,000 plus bonuses, with a culture of accountability and deep expertise in the field.

Qualifications

• 8–14 years of post-graduation experience; 5+ years post-licensure ideally.
• Demonstrated full CD production history with stamped drawings.
• Commercial architecture background: retail, restaurant, tenant improvement, mixed-use, or similar.

Responsibilities

• Own the full project lifecycle across concurrent retail and restaurant assignments.
• Produce complete Construction Document packages for tenant improvements.
• Serve as primary client contact, managing relationships and coordinating subconsultants.

Skills

Active Registered Architect (RA) license

AutoCAD proficiency

Revit/BIM knowledge

Project management

Specification writing

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit/BIM

Adobe Creative Suite

Job description

A principal-led boutique architecture firm with nearly 50 years of exclusive focus on retail and restaurant design is seeking an experienced Project Architect or Senior Architect for their Akron, Ohio headquarters. Licensed in 49 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and five Canadian provinces, this is a lean, high-trust team that delivers national rollout programs for some of the country's most recognized brands.

Architects here own projects end-to-end — from first client call through construction administration — and their work ships nationally. This is not a generalist firm where your contributions get diluted. The culture rewards accountability, depth, and tenure.

POSITION AT A GLANCE

Title

Project Architect / Senior Architect

Location

Akron, OH — Onsite/Hybrid

Compensation

$80,000 – $125,000 base (DOE) + potential project-based bonus

Status

Sectors

Licensure

Registered Architect (RA) — active U.S. license, or in process of obtaining

WHAT YOU'LL DO

You will own the full project lifecycle across concurrent retail and restaurant rollout assignments — from initial client intake through construction administration — across multiple states simultaneously. Responsibilities include:

• Produce complete Construction Document (CD) packages for retail/restaurant tenant improvements and ground-up projects
• Navigate multi-state jurisdictional permit submissions and approvals, tracking IBC amendments by market
• Serve as primary client contact — lead meetings, manage owner's rep relationships, and coordinate subconsultants (MEP, structural, civil)
• Adapt national brand prototypes to local site and code conditions at rollout scale
• Write specifications using CSI MasterFormat; maintain or contribute to master spec library
• Assess existing buildings for adaptive reuse and/or historic tax credit eligibility
• Deliver projects on time and on budget — a promise this firm has kept for nearly 50 years

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• Active Registered Architect (RA) license in any U.S. state (or in process of obtaining)
• 8–14 years of post-graduation experience; 5+ years post-licensure ideally
• Demonstrated full CD production history — you have stamped drawings
• Commercial architecture background: retail, restaurant, tenant improvement, mixed-use, or similar
• AutoCAD proficiency; Revit/BIM working knowledge strongly preferred
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects independently

Strongly Preferred

• NCARB Certificate (facilitates multi-state reciprocity — critical for this firm's national footprint)
• AIA membership
• Specification writing experience
• Named brand retail or restaurant rollout experience
• Adaptive reuse or historic preservation project experience
• Akron / Cleveland / Columbus market residency or confirmed relocation intent

WHY THIS ROLE

National Exposure

Your work appears on nationally branded stores across 49 states — not buried in a 500-person org chart.

Work alongside architects who have focused exclusively on retail and restaurant for nearly 50 years. No generalist noise.

TECHNICAL ECOSYSTEM

CAD / BIM

AutoCAD (required) | Revit/BIM (highly preferred)

Design Tools

Adobe Creative Suite (a plus)

Specifications

MasterSpec or proprietary spec systems | CSI MasterFormat Div. 00–16

Delivery Methods

Code Fluency

IBC, ADA/ABA, jurisdictional amendments, multi-state permit workflows

Project Types

Retail TI, restaurant rollout, mixed-use, adaptive reuse, dispensary fit-out

ABOUT THE FIRM

This firm's identity is intentionally kept confidential at this stage. What we can share: it is a principal-led boutique operating out of Akron, Ohio, with a specialty practice that has remained exclusively focused on retail and restaurant architecture for nearly five decades. The culture is low-ego, high-accountability, and built on long-term client relationships. Full firm details are shared with candidates upon mutual interest.