Senior Project Architect

Senior Project Architect – California Licensed

Los Angeles, CA | Architecture & Design | Up to $210,000 Base + Bonus

Lead Complex Architectural Projects with One of Los Angeles' Established Design Firms

Prevail Recruiting has partnered with a highly respected, 50-year-old architectural firm headquartered in downtown Los Angeles to identify an accomplished Senior Project Manager / Senior Project Architect to join its leadership team.

With an established reputation and a portfolio of sophisticated architectural projects, this firm offers an opportunity to work on meaningful developments while helping shape the future of an established architectural practice.

You'll work from an attractive, professionally designed office in the heart of Los Angeles, surrounded by the city's architecture, cultural destinations, and vibrant business community.

This is an opportunity for an experienced California-licensed Architect to take ownership of significant projects, mentor talented professionals, build client relationships, and play an important role in the firm's continued growth.

The Opportunity

We are seeking a technically strong, highly experienced architectural leader with extensive knowledge of California construction practices, building codes, permitting, and project delivery.

Projects range approximately $1 million to $50 million and include complex ground-up construction, institutional and educational facilities, commercial developments, renovations, and other specialized architectural projects.

The ideal candidate combines architectural design expertise, technical proficiency, construction administration, and the leadership skills necessary to oversee multiple projects and guide project teams.

What You'll Be Doing

• Lead complex architectural projects from initial planning and design through construction documents, permitting, construction administration, and project completion.
• Oversee projects ranging from $1M to $50M in construction value.
• Manage architectural teams, project architects, designers, and technical staff.
• Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, consultants, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Provide technical leadership in California Building Codes, zoning regulations, permitting, and code compliance.
• Oversee architectural detailing and construction methodologies involving wood-frame, concrete masonry/block, structural steel, and mixed-material construction.
• Navigate challenging municipal approvals, coastal development requirements, and California Coastal Commission considerations.
• Coordinate site planning, utility infrastructure, structural systems, and multidisciplinary engineering consultants.
• Ensure construction drawings, specifications, and documentation meet high standards of technical accuracy and constructability.
• Lead quality control reviews, project scheduling, budgets, and construction administration.
• Mentor junior and mid-level architects, providing technical guidance and professional development.
• Assist with proposals, client presentations, business development, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Partner with firm leadership to improve project delivery, internal processes, and overall client satisfaction.

What We're Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Active California Architect License in good standing, held for a minimum of five years.
• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture.
• 10+ years of professional architectural experience.
• Recent professional experience working on architectural projects in California, including work within the past 12 months.
• Extensive knowledge of California Building Codes, regulatory requirements, plan review, and permitting processes.
• Strong understanding of wood-frame construction , architectural detailing, and constructability.
• Experience with ground-up projects involving wood framing, masonry/block, structural steel, or similar construction systems.
• Proven experience managing architectural projects through design development, construction documentation, permitting, and construction administration.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary project teams and coordinate directly with owners, contractors, engineers, and agencies.
• Excellent communication, client management, leadership, and mentorship skills.

Highly Preferred Experience

• California Coastal Commission requirements, coastal zoning, and development approvals.
• Educational, institutional, civic, or other complex facilities.
• Utility coordination, site infrastructure, and agency approvals.
• Large-scale ground-up and mixed-construction-type projects.
• Experience managing multiple concurrent architectural projects.
• Experience managing projects with construction values between $1M and $50M.
• Proposal preparation, client development, and architectural practice leadership.

Compensation & Benefits

Base Salary: Up to $210,000 annually

Compensation will be determined based on experience, technical capabilities, leadership background, and qualifications.

In addition to a highly competitive base salary, the opportunity includes:

• Performance-based bonus opportunity
• Comprehensive employee benefits package
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Retirement benefits
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Long-term professional advancement opportunities
• Senior-level leadership responsibilities
• Exposure to significant and technically challenging California projects
• Opportunity to mentor and develop architectural professionals
• An established firm environment with a strong reputation and long-term client relationships

Why Consider This Opportunity?

Established Legacy. Meaningful Projects. Exceptional Compensation.

This is not simply another architectural project management position.

You'll join a longstanding Los Angeles architectural practice with approximately five decades of history, a respected professional reputation, and a diverse portfolio of complex projects.

The firm offers the stability of an established organization, opportunities for direct collaboration with experienced leadership, and the ability to make a meaningful impact on major projects throughout California.

For a California-licensed Architect who enjoys technical challenges, leading teams, and delivering exceptional projects, this represents an outstanding next career move.

Important Applicant Qualifications

Applicants must possess:

1. An active California Architect License held for at least 3 years.
2. Recent architectural project experience in California within the past 12 months.
3. Extensive working knowledge of California Building Codes and permitting.
4. Demonstrated experience with wood-frame construction and complex architectural projects.
5. Senior-level architectural project management and team leadership experience.

Candidates not meeting the mandatory licensing and recent California project experience requirements will not be considered.

Interested candidates are encouraged to apply confidentially through Prevail Recruiting.