Licensed Architect

THE OPPORTUNITY

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

Project Architect | Senior Architect | Architectural Project Lead

Location

Akron, OH — Onsite/Hybrid

Compensation

$80,000 – $135,000 base (DOE) + potential project-based bonus

Status

Exempt (Salaried Professional)

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 projectsNavigate multi-state jurisdictional permit submissions and approvals, tracking IBC amendments by marketServe 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 scaleWrite specifications using CSI MasterFormat; maintain or contribute to master spec libraryAssess existing buildings for adaptive reuse and/or historic tax credit eligibilityDeliver 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 ideallyDemonstrated full CD production history — you have stamped drawingsCommercial architecture background: retail, restaurant, tenant improvement, mixed-use, or similarMulti-state permit submittal experienceAutoCAD proficiency; Revit/BIM working knowledge strongly preferredAbility to manage multiple concurrent projects independently

Strongly Preferred

NCARB Certificate (facilitates multi-state reciprocity — critical for this firm's national footprint)AIA membershipSpecification writing experienceNamed brand retail or restaurant rollout experienceAdaptive reuse or historic preservation project experienceAkron / 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.

True Niche Depth

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

Design-Bid-Build (DBB), Design-Build (DB), Construction Manager at Risk (CMR)

Code Fluency

IBC, ADA/ABA, jurisdictional amendments, multi-state permit workflows

Project Types

Retail TI, restaurant rollout, mixed-use, adaptive reuse; commercial

ABOUT THE FIRM

This firm's identity is intentionally kept confidential at this stage. What we can share: it is a principal-led boutique operating out of Akron, Ohio, 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.