Licensed Architect

Licensed Architect – K-12 & Education Projects

Location: Pasadena, CA (Fully Onsite)

Reports to: Leadership Team

This well-established architecture and planning firm has been a leader in design, planning, and construction administration for K-12, higher education, housing, and community facilities throughout California. Over its nearly 100-year history, the firm has maintained core values of Innovative Design, Integrity, and Value
.

The firm offers a full range of architectural, engineering, and planning services from offices in Pasadena, CA. It is client-focused, committed to its people, and dedicated to creating enduring spaces. The company fosters professional development, camaraderie, and rewarding work while building positive relationships with clients, stakeholders, and communities.

You are passionate about creating meaningful spaces and tackling complex design challenges. You thrive in a collaborative environment and want to make a lasting impact through your work.

We are seeking a licensed architect with recent Division of the State Architect (DSA) experience to join our growing team. This role is fully onsite in Pasadena and requires a proactive professional who can handle workload independently while supporting team members. This position has been open for some time due to the difficulty of finding qualified candidates with the right DSA experience.

• Lead projects from programming through construction documents.
• Collaborate with project teams and clients to ensure design intent and quality.
• Prepare, review, and submit DSA‑compliant documentation.
• Support junior staff when needed and provide mentorship.
• Manage workload independently in a fast‑paced, deadline‑oriented environment.
• Utilize Revit as primary design tool; proficiency in CAD, Bluebeam, and other software preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
• Licensed to practice architecture in California.
• Minimum 5–8 years’ experience in all phases of architectural projects.
• Recent hands‑on experience with DSA (must have worked with DSA in the last several years).
• Experience in K-12 (DSA), higher education, senior housing, and multi‑family housing.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
• Strong organizational, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency in Revit (non‑negotiable), AutoCAD, Bluebeam, Photoshop, Sketch Up, Rhino, Enscape, Word, and Excel.
• Must have recent work experience in California.

• Diligent, detail‑oriented, and reliable.
• Able to work independently and support a high‑performing team.
• Thrives in mentoring and collaborative work.

• Current team: 4 architects (2 senior focused on individual work; 2 overloaded supporting multiple projects).
• This hire will be a mid‑to‑senior architect who can step in immediately, manage independent workload, and support the team.
• Annual longevity bonuses; discretionary year‑end bonus potential.
• Professional development bonuses for achieving industry certifications.
• Health, Dental, Vision, Short & Long Term Disability, Life Insurance – 100% employer‑paid.
• Fully Funded ESOP – accrue value over time with payout at retirement.
• 401(k) match: $0.50 per dollar, up to 15%.
• Paid PTO: starts at 2 weeks, accrues up to 279 hours, rolls over; three‑tier system based on tenure.
• Paid holidays including MLK Day, Juneteenth, Presidents Day, Veterans Day, Thanksgiving + Day After, Christmas Eve + Christmas Day.
• Office closed for the last week of December.
• Gym membership reimbursement and paid conferences.
• Rare overtime; standard 8‑hour days with slight flexibility (±30 min).

• First interview with leadership.
• Second interview with additional team members.
• Offer extended via HR and leadership.

Early next year, after office closure for the holidays (last working day: December 19).