Technical Design Manager, Retail Architecture

Aquent; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Aquent is partnering with a leading global specialty retailer to hire a Technical Design Manager focused on retail architecture and store development. This contract role translates distinctive brand design concepts into technically sound, buildable environments across new stores, remodels, and special projects.

You will manage external architects, consultants, and vendors; maintain architectural standards; and collaborate across Store Design, Construction, Procurement, IT, Loss Prevention and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Interior Design.
• 6+ years of commercial architecture experience.
• Strong knowledge of construction documents, codes, and detailing.

Responsibilities

• Serve as a technical architecture resource for store projects.
• Translate store design into buildable, code–compliant solutions.
• Review architectural deliverables for quality and constructability.
• Maintain and improve architectural standards, templates, and docs.
• Guide external architects, consultants and vendors.
• Partner with Store Design and Construction to resolve design challenges.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Visual Merchandising, IT, Loss Prevention, Store Ops.
• Visit ~1–2 project sites per month.

Skills

Technical architecture

Construction documents

Project management

Cross-functional comms

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture/Interior Design

Job description

Aquent is partnering with a leading global specialty retailer to hire a Technical Design Manager focused on retail architecture and store development. This contract role will help translate distinctive brand design concepts into technically sound, buildable retail environments across new stores, remodels, and special projects. This is an excellent fit for someone who combines retail architecture expertise with strong technical standards, construction-document and consultant-management experience.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as a technical architecture resource for retail store projects.
• Translate creative store-design intent into buildable, code-compliant solutions.
• Review architectural deliverables for quality, consistency, and constructability.
• Maintain and improve architectural standards, templates, and technical documentation.
• Guide external architects, consultants and vendors.
• Partner with Store Design and Construction to resolve technical design challenges.
• Coordinate with Procurement, Visual Merchandising, IT, Loss Prevention and Store Operations.
• Incorporate field and project learnings into improved design standards.
• Support new stores, remodels, shop-in-shops, and special projects.
• Visit approximately 1–2 project sites per month.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Interior Architecture, or Interior Design.
• 6+ years of commercial architecture experience.
• Strong knowledge of construction documents and architectural detailing.
• Understanding of building codes, accessibility, materials, and construction methods.
• Experience translating design concepts into technically executable solutions.
• Experience managing architects, consultants, or other external partners.
• Strong project-management and cross-functional communication skills.

Nice to Have

• Significant retail/store-development experience.
• Multi-location or global retail rollout experience.
• Ownership of architectural/design standards or prototype documentation.
• QA/QC responsibility.
• NCIDQ, LEED accreditation, or architectural license.
• Experience working across multiple consumer brands.

Why Apply?

• Influence how recognizable retail brands are translated from design concept into physical stores.
• Work across a diverse portfolio of new stores, remodels, and special projects.
• Become a key technical voice connecting Store Design and Construction.
• Help improve architectural standards and processes across an entire retail portfolio.
• Work on challenges that combine architecture, design, operations, and customer experience.