Architect or Architectural II

Company

Kaplan Thompson Architects

Portland, ME

Kaplan Thompson Architects is a Portland, Maine architecture firm prioritizing sustainability, creative design, and technical excellence for every project. We focus on single‑family homes (both new and renovations), multi‑family residential, educational, and non‑profit design projects. We are seeking an Architectural Designer with 5 to 8 years of professional experience; those with more experience are also encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity to get in the door with a design‑focused, mission‑based, award‑winning firm named to the Architect 50:
Top 50 Firms in Sustainability in the U.S.

We are seeking candidates who currently live or are willing to move within commuting distance of our office in Downtown Portland and are able to work in‑person for the first six months of employment. Once this training period concludes, we offer a flexible environment with options for both in‑person and hybrid work. Some members of our team maintain a permanent desk in the office, others take advantage of flex work‑stations for several days of in‑office time per week.

We offer competitive salaries in alignment with prescribed AIA rates at or near the top levels for the region.

• 3 weeks of paid vacation / personal / sick time annually to start.
• 100% medical coverage on Health Insurance.
• 100% coverage on Disability Insurance.
• 401K benefit plan with a 4% match of your salary. No waiting period.
• 10 paid holidays including 3 paid floating holidays.
• Commuting stipend of $60/mo.
• Bonuses distributed in accordance with hours worked and office success.
• Up to $600 and two days annually for professional development.
• Company‑paid training materials and reimbursement of ARE expenses for licensed candidates.
• One paid Community Day and up to 24 matched hours for community service or industry engagement.

Kaplan Thompson Architects is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. We apply the same non‑discrimination requirements with respect to the treatment of our customers, vendors, and suppliers. We are proud to be the first architecture firm in Maine to have received the JUST label for a socially just and equitable organization.

• Participate in conceptual design and provide full support throughout entire projects.
• Coordinate project design, develop creative design concepts for projects, and prepare presentation and design drawings.

• Assist in preparing project specifications.
• Provide specific technical design aspects of major projects, including BIM, investigation, evaluation, and recommendation of design solutions that best meet the client’s needs.
• Carry out complex or novel assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures.
• Coordinate with Principals and more experienced Architectural Staff on appropriate technical solutions and strategies.
• Occasionally provide technical guidance to less experienced architectural staff.

• Have full responsibility for managing all aspects of small, simple projects with guidance from Principals and Senior Staff, including estimating scope of work.
• Assist in preparing strategic plans for project success.
• Monitor and assist in coordination of administrative and technical project efforts to ensure the most efficient and cost‑effective execution of assigned projects.
• Actively monitor client budgets, schedules, and programs.
• Assist in management of project communications and documentation.
• Understand fee estimation, how to determine scope of work, and how to prepare proposals and contracts on simple projects.

• Be relied upon to present directly to the client on technical and design solutions.
• Provide management of project communications and documentation pending project‑specific role.

• Work in a collaborative team structure with other architects and designers on…