ZipRecruiter is hiring : Architectural Design Lead in California

Overview The Architectural Design Lead will guide the design vision and execution for prefabricated construction projects, blending architectural excellence with innovative modular solutions. This role leads a team of designers, ensures design feasibility within traditional construction and prefabricated systems, and collaborates closely with clients, outside design firms, and construction teams to deliver functional, sustainable, and aesthetically compelling solutions. The Architectural Design Lead will be instrumental in advancing the company’s regional design studio culture, fostering creativity, and aligning design outcomes with business and market strategy.

Responsibilities Cultivate a collaborative and innovative studio culture that emphasizes excellence, accountability, and continuous learning.

Drive conceptual and schematic design for prefabricated building projects, balancing architectural vision with modular and manufacturing constraints. This includes working alongside execution teams to communicate on the drawings means and methods past design intent.

Ensure all design solutions meet regulatory codes, client requirements, and constructability standards.

Oversee the production of design deliverables, including models, renderings, and technical documentation. As a Design Lead over a regional territory you will also perform the design deliverables and build the team out as revenue increases. It’s also critical to have a fiscal mindset of tracking utilization of you and your team to drive profitable design margins. This includes working with the other regional architectural design leads to matrix your manpower when slow to keep your regional P&L profitable at all times.

Partner with clients, business development, preconstruction, and operation teams to translate project requirements into design solutions.

Work closely with manufacturing and construction teams to ensure designs are efficient, cost-effective, and executable in a prefabricated environment.

Participate in bid, proposal, and project interviews by contributing design expertise and leadership. This role is highly client facing and expectation to deliver and manage the DIRTT brand as a 1st in class company is critical.

Serve as the primary design point of contact for major projects, representing the company in client and stakeholder meetings.

Guide the integration of prefabricated systems, traditional materials, and technologies into architectural solutions. This includes Shop Drawings, Submittals, ICE files, Clash Detection, and all items related to design.

Support the development of new design methodologies, tools, and digital technologies (BIM, REVIT, parametric design, VR / AR).

Contribute to long-term design strategies that differentiate the company in the prefabricated construction market.

Monitor industry trends and incorporate emerging practices into the design studio.

Lead, mentor, and inspire a multidisciplinary team of designers within the regional design studio.

Establish best practices, design standards, and workflows that optimize efficiency and creativity in delivering prefabricated construction. Continuous process improvement is a critical step to this role.

Provide coaching, career development, and performance management to regional design staff.

Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.

Licensed Architect ().

10+ years of architectural design experience, with at least 2–5 years in a leadership role.

Proven experience in prefabricated, modular, or industrialized construction expected.

Portfolio demonstrating excellence in design leadership and execution across multiple project types.

Strong leadership and team management skills.

Expertise in architectural design, space planning, and prefabricated construction methods.

Proficiency in design software (AutoCAD, Revit, Rhino, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite; knowledge of parametric tools is an asset). ICE DIRTT’s proprietary software is a plus, but expected to become an expert within the software within 6 months of hiring if no ICE experience.

Strong understanding of building codes, zoning, and regulatory requirements.

Exceptional communication, presentation, and client-facing skills.

Strategic thinker with the ability to balance design vision, cost, and constructability.

Passion for innovation, sustainability, and continuous improvement in design practices.

Benefits A competitive base salary plus a variable pay (bonus) program.

Eligibility to participate in DIRTT’s Employee Share Purchase Plan.

Health benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage.

Short-term and long-term coverage plus life, critical illness, and accidental death and dismemberment (AD&D) insurance.

Mental health resources including an Employee and Family Assistance Program (EFAP).

A thorough and supportive onboarding program to set you up for success.

Please note while this role is remote a preference will be given to those located in Chicago, Houston, or Denver,

DIRTT Environmental Solutions is an equal opportunity employer and appreciates applications from all interested applicants. We thank all applicants for their interest, however, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.

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