Architectural Designer

Architectural DesignerConfidential search conducted on behalf of our client.

Position summaryOur client, an established residential remodeling company in Alabama, is hiring a full-time, in-person Architectural Designer to turn client vision into buildable, permit-ready plan sets.
This person owns design development and construction documents from first sketch through handoff to preconstruction. They work side by side with the firm's design, estimating, and production teams, and they spend real time in front of clients. The right candidate is both creative and relentlessly organized: someone who can design a beautiful kitchen in the morning and catch a dimension error on sheet A-4 in the afternoon.
Reports to
Design leadership
Location
In-person, company office in Central Alabama, plus client homes and job sites
Type
Full-time, salaried
Works closely with
Design, estimating/preconstruction, project management, production, and clients

Key responsibilitiesArchitectural design and plan sets

Measure and document existing conditions accurately, and build as-built drawings and 3D models from site visits.Develop concept designs, floor plans, elevations, sections, and 3D renderings that bring the client's goals to life within budget.Produce complete, permit-ready construction document sets: plans, elevations, sections, details, electrical/lighting plans, cabinetry and interior elevations, and schedules.Coordinate with structural engineers, surveyors, and other consultants, and incorporate their input into the drawings.Research and apply local building codes, zoning requirements, and HOA rules; prepare and track permit submittals and respond to plan review comments.Client experience

Lead and present at design meetings, walking clients through options clearly and confidently.Translate client wants into practical designs, and explain trade-offs in cost, schedule, and feasibility in plain language.Manage revision rounds so clients feel heard while the project keeps moving and scope stays controlled.Help guide finish and fixture selections in partnership with the design team.Team collaboration

Work closely with estimating so designs are priced accurately and stay within the client's budget.Confirm constructibility with production before drawings are finalized.Deliver a clean handoff package to pre-construction and project management, and answer field questions during construction.Participate actively in internal design reviews, giving and receiving direct feedback.Process, organization, and quality

Own the design schedule for every assigned project and hit agreed deadlines.Maintain disciplined drawing standards, file naming, version control, and revision logs.Keep the firm's construction management software current with design status, documents, and client decisions.Run a personal QA/QC check on every set before it goes to a client, estimator, or permit office.Suggest and help build templates and standards that make the firm's design process faster and more consistent.QualificationsRequired

5+ years producing architectural drawings, with at least 3 years in residential design, remodeling, or design/build.A portfolio of completed residential plan sets, ideally including additions, kitchens, baths, and whole-home renovations.Expert-level skill in at least one professional CAD/BIM platform (such as Chief Architect, Revit, ArchiCAD, or AutoCAD) and comfort producing 3D renderings.Working knowledge of the International Residential Code (IRC), local permitting, and how homes are actually built.Strong written and verbal communication, including presenting design options to homeowners.Proven ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines at once without dropping details.Willingness to work in person full-time and travel locally to client homes and job sites; valid driver's license.Preferred

Bachelor's degree in architecture, interior architecture, architectural technology, or a related field.Experience working directly inside a design/build firm alongside estimators and field teams.Familiarity with construction or project management software.Field measuring experience, including laser measuring tools or 3D scanning.Knowledge of structural basics, framing, MEP coordination, and current residential finishes and products.NKBA, NCIDQ, or similar certification.Who thrives in this roleYou are a creative designer with a Type A operating system. You get excited about a clever layout, and you get just as satisfied by a perfectly organized sheet index and a deadline met early. Apples.

Creative and practical. You generate strong ideas quickly, then make them buildable and affordable.Detail-obsessed. You notice the 1/4" discrepancy, the missing door swing, and the schedule that doesn't match the plan, and you fix them before anyone else sees them.Organized and self-driven. You plan your own week, track your own deliverables, and never need to be chased for status.A natural communicator. You keep clients, teammates, and consultants informed proactively, and you flag problems early.Warm with clients. Homeowners trust you because you listen well, explain clearly, and make the process feel calm and professional.A true team player. You welcome feedback, share credit, and care about the whole project, not just the drawings.How success is measuredIn the first 90 days, this person learns the firm's design standards and systems and independently delivers complete plan sets on assigned projects.

Design milestones and plan sets delivered on the agreed schedule.Plan sets pass internal QA and permit review with minimal revisions.Few field RFIs or change orders caused by drawing errors or omissions.Designs land within the client's target budget at estimate.Strong client feedback on communication and the design experience.Project records in the firm's management software kept current and complete.Compensation and how to applyCompetitive salary based on experience, plus benefits. To apply, send a resume and a portfolio that includes at least one complete residential plan set. We value individuals with a close eye for detail and what matters. In your application, please include the random word that you find out of place in the "who thrives in this role" section. On LinkedIn, you can also send a message with the word.