Licensed Architect

A principal-led boutique architecture firm with nearly 50 years of exclusive focus on retail and restaurant design is seeking licensed Architect for their Akron, Ohio headquarters. Licensed in 49 U.S. states, Washington D.C., and five Canadian provinces, this is a lean, high-trust team that delivers national rollout programs for some of the country's most recognized brands. Architects here own projects end-to-end — from first client call through construction administration — and their work ships nationally.

This is not a generalist firm where your contributions get diluted. The culture rewards accountability, depth, and tenure. POSITION AT A GLANCE

Title
Location
Akron, OH — Onsite/Hybrid Compensation

$90,000 – $180,000 base (DOE) + potential project-based bonus Sectors

Retail, Restaurant, Mixed-Use, Adaptive Reuse; Commerical Licensure

Registered Architect (RA) — active U.S. license is required. WHAT YOU'LL DO

You will own the full project lifecycle across concurrent retail and restaurant rollout assignments — from initial client intake through construction administration — across multiple states simultaneously.

Responsibilities include: Produce complete Construction Document (CD) packages for retail/restaurant tenant improvements and ground-up projects Navigate multi-state jurisdictional permit submissions and approvals, tracking IBC amendments by market Serve as primary client contact — lead meetings, manage owner's rep relationships, and coordinate subconsultants (MEP, structural, civil) Adapt national brand prototypes to local site and code conditions at rollout scale Write specifications using CSI MasterFormat; maintain or contribute to master spec library Assess existing buildings for adaptive reuse and/or historic tax credit eligibility Deliver projects on time and on budget — a promise this firm has kept for nearly 50 years WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required Active Registered Architect (RA) license in any U.S. state. 8–14 years of post-graduation experience; 5+ years post-licensure ideally Demonstrated full CD production history — you have stamped drawings Commercial architecture background: retail, restaurant, tenant improvement, mixed-use, or similar AutoCAD proficiency; Revit/BIM working knowledge strongly preferred Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects independently Strongly Preferred NCARB Certificate (facilitates multi-state reciprocity — critical for this firm's national footprint) AIA membership Specification writing experience Named brand retail or restaurant rollout experience Adaptive reuse or historic preservation project experience Akron / Cleveland / Columbus market residency or confirmed relocation intent WHY THIS ROLE

National Exposure
Your work appears on nationally branded stores across 49 states — not buried in a 500-person org chart. Work alongside architects who have focused exclusively on retail and restaurant for nearly 50 years. No generalist noise. TECHNICAL ECOSYSTEM

CAD / BIM
AutoCAD (required) Design Tools
Adobe Creative Suite (a plus) Specifications

MasterSpec or proprietary spec systems | CSI MasterFormat Div. 00–16 Delivery Methods

Code Fluency
IBC, ADA/ABA, jurisdictional amendments, multi-state permit workflows Project Types

ABOUT THE FIRM
This firm's identity is intentionally kept confidential at this stage.

What we can share: it is a principal-led boutique, with a specialty practice that has remained exclusively focused on retail and restaurant architecture for nearly five decades. The culture is low-ego, high-accountability, and built on long-term client relationships. Full firm details are shared with candidates upon mutual interest.