Intermediate Level Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Intermediate Architect – High-End Retail

Job Description

This role is a hands-on, production-focused position for an intermediate-level architect with commercial retail experience. You will develop and coordinate construction documents, support technical execution, and contribute to design and delivery across high-end retail projects, with exposure to hospitality and high-end residential work as well. You will work closely with senior staff and principals from schematic design through construction administration, operating independently on defined portions of work within established standards in a collaborative, design-driven environment. This is a growth opportunity for an architect who enjoys staying deeply involved in drawings and documentation while building long-term expertise in high-end commercial architecture.

Responsibilities

• Use Revit to produce and coordinate construction documents for ground-up retail projects, ensuring accuracy and technical quality.
• Use AutoCAD for tenant improvement projects and early studies where CAD workflows are more efficient.
• Produce detailed architectural drawings and details across all relevant project phases, with a focus on construction documentation.
• Support and contribute to documentation throughout schematic design, design development, construction documents, and select construction administration activities, depending on project phase and project needs.
• Coordinate closely with internal project teams and external consultants to align design intent, technical requirements, and documentation standards.
• Review work prepared by other team members for accuracy, completeness, and alignment with project standards, and provide feedback as needed.
• Apply building codes to project documentation and coordinate with senior staff on permitting, approvals, and agency requirements as needed.
• Work directly with senior staff and principals to maintain design integrity, technical consistency, and firm standards across assigned work.
• Actively produce drawings and details on a daily basis, maintaining a strong hands-on role rather than a purely oversight or project-management-focused role.
• Independently own defined portions of project scope, incorporating redlines and feedback with minimal rework and limited supervision.
• Manage multiple deliverables and deadlines while maintaining organized, detail-oriented documentation and file management.
• Contribute to a culture of mentorship and collaboration by engaging with peers and senior staff, sharing knowledge, and supporting team success.

Essential Skills

• 3+ years of full-time professional experience in architecture post-graduation, with a focus on commercial or retail projects.
• Professional degree in Architecture from an accredited program.
• Experience in architecture for commercial or retail environments, with high-end retail strongly preferred.
• Proficiency in Revit for construction documentation production; ability to ramp quickly into Revit-based workflows if current use is limited.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for construction documentation and early-phase studies.
• Strong experience producing construction documents, including detailed drawings and technical details.
• Working knowledge of building codes and exposure to permitting or agency coordination at an awareness-to-coordination level.
• Experience coordinating with internal design teams and external consultants on commercial or retail projects.
• Hands-on experience in high-end commercial environments such as retail, hospitality, or high-end residential projects.
• Ability and willingness to remain actively involved in producing drawings and construction documents on a regular basis rather than focusing solely on project management.
• Ability to independently own defined portions of work without requiring full project autonomy, while operating within established standards.
• Strong organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple deliverables and deadlines simultaneously.
• High attention to detail and a commitment to technical quality in all documentation.
• Professional portfolio demonstrating work personally produced by the candidate, with a preference for construction documents and details, and willingness to have this portfolio reviewed and approved prior to submission.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with luxury or flagship retail projects, including exposure to high-end brand standards and client expectations.
• Experience in hospitality or high-end residential projects that can translate effectively to high-end retail environments.
• Exposure to detail development and drawing refinement, particularly for high-end finishes and precise construction detailing.
• Exposure to construction administration phase coordination, including responding to RFIs, reviewing submittals, or supporting site-related documentation.
• Experience working directly with principals or senior project architects on design and technical decisions.
• Experience working with high-end finishes, precise client standards, and fast-paced retail project timelines.
• Candidates actively pursuing architectural licensure are a plus, though licensure is not required.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a collaborative, design-driven studio environment.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly convey design intent and technical information to team members and consultants.

Work Environment

This role is based in a professional architectural office within a mid-sized firm of approximately 70–80 employees. The practice is driven by long-standing principals and offers a diverse portfolio that includes airports, museums, luxury retail, mixed-use developments, and adaptive re-use projects. The environment is highly collaborative, with teams working directly alongside senior staff and principals, emphasizing mentorship, technical quality, and long-term career development. The culture is fast-paced but quality-driven, with a strong focus on design excellence and rigorous documentation. The position is full-time and in-office, operating during standard business hours Monday through Friday. Candidates must be able to commute full-time to a Mid-City Los Angeles office located near San Vicente Boulevard.

This is a Permanent position based out of LOS ANGELES, CA.

The pay range for this position is $75000.00 - $105000.00/yr.

Full benefits package including health, vision, life insurance, 401(k), PTO, and licensing support

This is a fully onsite position in LOS ANGELES,CA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 18, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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