Architectural Designer III - PreK-12

Position Summary

HED is seeking a passionate Project Architect III to join our growing PreK-12 Education practice in our San Francisco Bay Area, Sacramento or Los Angeles offices. This mid‑level technical architecture role assists PreK-12 sector project teams from early design through construction under the supervision of a seasoned Architect and/or Project Designer. The ideal candidate has proven experience and proficiency in technical detailing, can work with moderate to minimal supervision, and is adept at guiding and mentoring more junior team members.

The ideal candidate will have experience delivering California PreK-12 educational facilities and a strong understanding of Division of the State Architect (DSA) requirements.

• Design impactful educational environments that serve students, educators, and communities.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver thoughtful, sustainable, and high‑performing solutions.
• Partner with school districts, educational stakeholders, consultants, and regulatory agencies to achieve successful project outcomes.
• Contribute to a culture that values mentorship, professional growth, knowledge sharing, and continuous learning.
• Work in a flexible hybrid environment that balances autonomy with meaningful in‑person collaboration.
• Be part of a team committed to design excellence, technical rigor, and creating lasting positive impact.

• We embrace a hybrid model that promotes both autonomy and collaboration, including the freedom to work from home with regular in‑office days to connect with teammates and build culture.
• The office is a professional, open‑space environment for collaborative and independent work.

• Responsible for site and master planning development working with client and civil engineering teams as part of site entitlements and building design approvals process.
• Responsible for building system concepts and documentation processes from schematics through construction administration phases.
• Engage in project pursuits to support the Project Manager and Principal in charge in the development of scope and fee.
• Function as team leader on large, complex, and integrated architecture and engineering projects.
• Client facing; comfortable working directly with sophisticated client teams that have a diverse group of stakeholders.
• Responsible for overseeing and directing project team members.
• Prepare and monitor discipline work plans.
• Prepare and document code research for a project.
• Conduct material and product research as required for project development.
• Develop/edit project specifications in RIB Spec Link.
• Sign and seal documentation prepared under the candidate's direct supervision.
• Attend project meetings as necessary.
• Document interpretation and submittal reviews during bidding and construction administration.
• Monitor staff to produce quality architectural and engineering services within a project team concept.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the supervisor or Sector.

• Bachelor's degree and licensure required.
• LEED Accredited preferred, with a passion for sustainable and resilient design.
• Minimum seven (7) years' experience in the A/E industry.
• Demonstrated experience delivering California PreK-12 educational facilities projects.
• Strong working knowledge of DSA procedures, California Building Code, California Accessibility Code, and educational facility design standards.
• Extensive knowledge of all aspects of professional services from schematic design through project close‑out, including design and technical expertise.
• A comprehensive understanding of the coordination aspects and related requirements of all design disciplines.
• Good written and verbal communication skills as well as strong organizational skills.
• Capability to motivate and mentor staff and delegate work assignments.
• Proficient in Revit required.
• Willingness and ability to work with remote team members using video conferencing and other tools.
• Very detail‑oriented, self‑motivated, enthusiastic, and flexible.
• Ability to work well with others under deadline situations.

• Capable of traveling to and from project sites to attend client, project, and construction meetings.
• Ability to access existing and new project sites for observation, investigation, and evaluation purposes.
• Ability to use equipment for communication and documentation purposes.
• Visual acuity to perform responsibilities.

In compliance with all applicable or other employment requirements, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status or status as an individual with disability and arrest and conviction records.

#LI-RS1