Senior Architectural Designer

Senior Architectural Designer – Multifamily & Mixed-Use

Location: Houston, TX | On-Site

Compensation: Based on Experience

Industry: Architecture | Multifamily Residential | Mixed-Use Development

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​ Project types: Podium, mid-rise, high-rise and mixed-use multifamily across Texas

Own your projects from the first massing study to the final punch walk. We're looking for a Senior Architectural Designer who can carry large multifamily and mixed-use buildings through every phase (Conceptual, SD, DD, CD and CA) and who is the person the team turns to when a code question gets hard.

About the role

This is a senior design and delivery role for someone who already knows how a multifamily building goes together. You'll lead projects through all five phases with real autonomy, set the technical direction, and be the team's go-to resource on building codes, life safety and accessibility.

You'll work directly with clients, consultants, contractors and Authorities Having Jurisdiction. Project managers and directors will rely on you to make sound design and technical decisions without close oversight, and to bring the next generation of designers along with you.

What you'll lead, phase by phase

Conceptual Design

• Develop site and massing studies, unit-mix and yield options, and parking and podium strategies that test a project's feasibility early.
• Run early zoning and code analysis so the first concept is one that can actually be permitted and built.
• Shape design direction with clients and leadership, presenting options and tradeoffs clearly.

Schematic Design (SD)

• Turn the approved concept into coordinated plans, sections and elevations, including unit plans, amenities and building cores.
• Establish construction type, occupancy separation, fire-rating and egress strategies.
• Prepare SD packages and presentation materials, including Lumion renderings and Adobe Creative Suite graphics.

Design Development (DD)

• Refine the building envelope, wall types, assemblies and key details.
• Lead integration of structural, MEP, civil and landscape systems, and resolve conflicts before they reach the drawings.
• Keep the design aligned with budget and schedule as systems and materials are selected.

Construction Documents (CD)

• Produce and manage complete, permit-ready CD sets in Revit with minimal oversight.
• Develop constructible, well-coordinated details for envelope, waterproofing, rated assemblies and podium transitions.
• Run QA/QC reviews and carry projects through permitting and plan-review comments.

Construction Administration (CA)

• Respond to RFIs, review submittals and shop drawings, and issue clarifications.
• Conduct site visits and field observations, and work with contractors to resolve field conditions.
• Protect design intent through construction and closeout.

Code and regulatory leadership

You'll be the technical authority on code for your projects and a resource for the wider team.

• Lead code analysis under the International Building Code and local amendments, including construction types, allowable heights and areas, fire separations and podium (Type I over Type III/V) strategies.
• Plan life safety: egress, travel distances, rated corridors and shafts, smoke compartments and high-rise provisions.
• Apply accessibility requirements across unit and common-area design, including ADA, Fair Housing Act and TAS.
• Navigate zoning, setbacks, height limits, parking requirements and other local development regulations.
• Work directly with AHJs, plan reviewers and fire marshals to resolve interpretation questions and keep permits moving.
• Guide the team on code interpretation and document the reasoning behind key compliance decisions.

Coordination, BIM and quality

• Lead consultant coordination meetings and model integration across all disciplines.
• Build and manage complex Revit models using advanced BIM workflows, with Autodesk Construction Cloud as the common data environment.
• Maintain file organization, naming conventions and ISO project forms.
• Own the accuracy and consistency of your project documents through regular QA/QC reviews.
• Contribute to the firm's ISO 9001:2015 Quality Management System and Continual Improvement Program, including better standards, details and processes.

Leadership and mentorship

• Mentor Architectural Designer I and II team members on detailing, code, Revit and project delivery.
• Present technical solutions to clients and stakeholders with confidence.
• Partner with project managers and directors on schedules, deliverables and project strategy.
• Help set the delivery standards that the rest of the studio follows.

What you bring

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Architecture.
• 8+ years of professional architectural experience, with a strong focus on multifamily, mixed-use or large-scale residential work.
• A portfolio showing projects you carried through Conceptual, SD, DD and CD, and supported through CA.
• Deep working knowledge of IBC, life safety, accessibility (ADA, FHA, TAS) and zoning requirements.
• Experience working with AHJs and taking projects through permitting.
• Advanced proficiency in Revit and AutoCAD.
• Strong building envelope, detailing and constructability knowledge.
• Clear verbal, written and presentation skills.

Preferred

• Experience with podium, mid-rise and high-rise construction types.
• Lumion, Adobe Creative Suite and Autodesk Construction Cloud.
• Experience mentoring junior designers.
• Progress toward architectural licensure (AXP/ARE), or a current license.