Senior Captain

Company Description

CDA PLUS PDG Incorporated (CDA+PDG, Inc.) is a California-based design firm composed of architects, planners, and design specialists providing comprehensive services from concept through construction. Founded in 2004 by Principal Architect Eric Chen, the firm offers architectural design, master planning, accessibility code analysis, design/build, real estate development, consulting, and technical services. CDA+PDG serves clients throughout the greater Los Angeles metropolitan region, including Los Angeles, Orange County, and the Inland Empire.

The firm has a longstanding, trust-based partnership with regional real estate developers, delivering expertise in site selection, feasibility studies, entitlements, and project management. CDA+PDG’s portfolio spans hospitality, mixed-use, office, residential, and retail projects, with a strong focus on collaboration, value creation, and risk mitigation.

The Senior Job Captain is a full-time, on-site role based in Tustin, CA, responsible for leading the production and coordination of detailed architectural drawings and project documentation. This role oversees the development of construction documents, manages drawing sets, and ensures technical accuracy and code compliance in collaboration with project architects and consultants. The Senior Job Captain coordinates with internal design teams, engineers, and external partners, tracks project milestones, and supports permitting and approval processes.

Day-to-day responsibilities include resolving design and technical issues, reviewing shop drawings and RFIs, and guiding junior staff in drafting standards and best practices. The role also involves participating in client and team meetings, maintaining project schedules, and supporting the successful delivery of hospitality, mixed‑use, office, residential, and retail projects.

• Lead CD production: organize sheet sets, detail key assemblies, coordinate consultants, and drive code compliance (CBC, Cal Green, ADA 11A/11B).
• Own Construction Administration: manage RFIs, submittals/shop drawings, ASIs/CCDs, change orders, construction site observations/field reports, and punch lists; track issues through closeout.
• Quality Control (QC): implement and enforce checklists/standards, perform redline reviews and back‑checks, coordinate specs with drawings, and run milestone QC meetings.
• Mentor & develop staff: coach younger team members on detailing, documentation standards, and CA best practices; provide clear feedback and support growth.
• Client/agency/GC coordination: run OACs, interface with plan checkers and inspectors, and keep stakeholders informed with proactive communication.
• Risk management:
  
  identify constructability issues early, document decisions, and help avoid change orders through thorough coordination.
• Proposal and Contract writing

• 10–12+ years of architectural experience with a strong portfolio of built work.
• Demonstrated leadership through DD/CD and CA on mixed‑use, religious, and multifamily projects.
• Mastery of Autocad, Revit, and Bluebeam; strong detailing skills and document organization.
• Solid grasp of CBC, Cal Green, ADA Chapters 11A/11B, and permitting workflows (SoCal jurisdictions a plus).
• Clear, concise writing for RFIs, submittal reviews, field reports, and meeting minutes.
• Collaborative mindset; calm under pressure; excellent follow‑through.
• Strong Project Management skills and experience in ensuring project timelines and budgets are met
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work on‑site in Tustin, CA
• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or related field
• Experience in various sectors such as hospitality, mixed use, office, residential, religious, and retail is a plus

• The base salary will be estimated between $75‑90k plus bonuses contingent on relevant experience.
• Simple IRA with Employer Matching
• PTO
• Health: employer contribution toward premiums per month