Senior Project Architect SD

Carrier Johnson + CULTURE; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Carrier Johnson + CULTURE in San Diego is looking for a Senior Project Architect to lead the technical development of complex projects. The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience, a strong background in higher education and civic work, and a solid understanding of California Building Code. Responsibilities include guiding teams through all project phases, developing construction documents, and mentoring junior staff. This role emphasizes collaboration and the integration of sustainable design strategies.

Qualifications

• Registered/Licensed Architect required; California licensure preferred.
• 12+ years of professional experience, particularly in higher education and civic projects.
• Strong knowledge of California Building Code and local permitting processes.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development and coordination of projects across all phases.
• Develop and oversee high-quality construction documents.
• Guide projects through permitting and regulatory processes.

Skills

Technical expertise

Team leadership

Client coordination

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture

Tools

Revit

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 higher education, civic, mixed-use, and public projects of varying scales and complexities, delivered through collaboration, technical rigor, and thoughtful leadership. As a Senior Project Architect, you will partner with clients, design leaders, project managers, and interdisciplinary teams to deliver thoughtful, high-performing environments that serve communities and institutions.

Your Role

As a Senior Project Architect at CJ+C, you will lead the technical development and delivery of complex projects, often contributing across multiple efforts simultaneously. You are responsible for translating design intent into coordinated, buildable solutions while guiding teams through all phases of project execution.

With 12+ years of experience, you are a licensed professional recognized for technical expertise, coordination leadership, and the ability to navigate complex regulatory and institutional environments. You bring experience in higher education and civic work, with an understanding of campus environments, stakeholder coordination, and public approval processes. You are also capable of supporting project management responsibilities, including client coordination, schedule alignment, and team leadership, while maintaining primary ownership of technical execution.

What You Will Do

• Lead the technical development and coordination of projects across all phases, including schematic design, design development, construction documentation, and construction administration.
• Develop and oversee high-quality construction documents, ensuring clarity, coordination, and alignment with design intent.
• Coordinate internal teams and external consultants to integrate architectural, structural, MEP, and specialty systems.
• Guide projects through permitting and regulatory processes, including California Building Code, accessibility requirements, and public agency approvals such as DSA.
• Support project delivery by aligning technical solutions with project goals, budgets, and schedules.
• Oversee construction administration, including RFIs, submittals, site visits, and field coordination, ensuring quality and constructability.
• Collaborate closely with Project Managers and Design Leaders to maintain alignment between design vision and technical execution.
• Participate in stakeholder and user group meetings, supporting programming, design development, and coordination with campus leadership, facilities teams, and end users.
• Incorporate sustainable design strategies and performance-driven solutions into project development, supporting firm and client goals related to environmental responsibility and long-term building performance.
• Contribute to Quality Assurance and Control processes across all project deliverables.
• Mentor and guide junior and intermediate team members, supporting technical development and project performance.
• Participate in client and stakeholder coordination, clearly communicating technical solutions and supporting project alignment.

Your Qualifications

• Registered/Licensed Architect required. California licensure strongly preferred.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from an accredited university required.
• 12+ years of professional experience, including significant work on higher education and civic projects.
• Experience with higher education projects in San Diego County or Southern California preferred, including familiarity with local institutions, stakeholders, and approval processes.
• Strong technical expertise in building systems, construction methods, detailing, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Strong knowledge of California Building Code, accessibility requirements, and local permitting processes, with experience navigating public approvals such as DSA preferred.
• Advanced proficiency in Revit with demonstrated experience producing and coordinating construction documentation.
• Understanding of sustainable design principles, building performance strategies, and certifications such as LEED or WELL preferred.
• Proven ability to lead technical coordination across teams and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills with a pragmatic, solution-oriented approach.
• Excellent communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively with clients, consultants, and internal teams.
• Extensive experience in construction administration and maintaining design intent through execution.
• 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.