Captain, CAD​/ AutoCAD​/ Mechanical Design, Design & Architecture

Backen & Backen is focused on creating enduring places that elevate daily life, strengthen connections to landscape, and leave a lasting legacy for our clients and communities.

Our work spans residential, hospitality, and agrarian environments, with each project informed by a shared commitment to regenerative design principles, craftsmanship, wellness, and experiential richness. We believe architecture should foster meaningful human experiences while restoring ecological relationships and reinforcing a deeper sense of place.

Our studio values curiosity, humility, technical rigor, and thoughtful collaboration, allowing ideas across typologies to inform one another.

We are seeking a hybrid/in-person Job Captain for either our Sausalito, CA or Salt Lake City, UT offices to lead the technical development and documentation of design-driven architectural projects. This role is ideal for an experienced professional with strong design sensibilities and a thorough understanding of building systems, detailing, and construction documentation.

Working closely with Project Managers and Principals, the Job Captain will translate design intent into coordinated, buildable solutions and be responsible for the quality, completeness, coordination, and day-to-day progress of project documentation.

The ideal candidate takes ownership, anticipates coordination challenges, communicates clearly, and views technical excellence as fundamental to exceptional architecture.

• Lead architectural drawing sets from design development through construction documentation.
• Develop plans, sections, elevations, details, schedules, and specifications that support design intent.
• Translate conceptual design ideas into technically sound, code-compliant, and buildable solutions.
• Research and resolve complex detailing, material transitions, waterproofing, envelope, and building-system issues.
• Maintain drawing accuracy, consistency, and completeness aligned with project requirements and studio standards.
• Coordinate architectural documents with structural, MEP, civil, landscape, interiors, and other consultants.
• Identify and resolve conflicts between design intent, consultant documentation, and field conditions.
• Communicate technical decisions, outstanding issues, and coordination needs to project leadership.
• Support junior designers in drawing production, detailing, BIM standards, and technical problem-solving.
• Participate in technical reviews, coordination meetings, and design reviews.
• Support construction administration through submittal, shop drawing, RFI, and related document reviews.
• Evaluate substitutions, clarifications, and field conditions to maintain design intent and project quality.
• Participate in site visits, field verification, and construction observation.
• Document field observations and coordinate follow-up items with the project team and consultants.
• Resolve construction challenges through clear communication and practical technical solutions.
• Coordinate documentation milestones with project schedules and deliverables.
• Help maintain project organization, drawing standards, model integrity, and quality assurance procedures.
• Contribute to material research, product evaluation, and project-specific technical solutions.
• Share knowledge across teams to strengthen the firm's collective technical expertise.
• Strong Revit proficiency and experience managing models and coordinated drawing sets.
• Thorough understanding of building assemblies, detailing, construction methods, and documentation.
• Familiarity with building codes, accessibility requirements, and permitting processes.
• Experience coordinating multidisciplinary consultant teams and resolving technical conflicts.
• Strong graphic, organizational, and written communication skills.
• Ability to manage priorities, exercise sound judgment, work independently, and collaborate with project leadership.
• Experience with construction administration, including RFIs, submittals, and site observations.
• Experience with high-end residential, hospitality, winery, or agrarian projects.
• Familiarity with Rhino, Adobe Creative Suite, and visualization tools such as Enscape or Lumion.
• Architectural licensure or active progress toward licensure.
• Interest in regenerative design, building performance, material health, landscape integration, and wellness-centered environments.
• Experience mentoring junior staff and contributing to office-wide technical standards.
• The opportunity to…