Principal Architect Jobs (NOW HIRING)

1. We are a lively and dynamic architecture office located five blocks from the beach in beautiful downtown Santa Barbara, California. Our current focus is on high-end residential projects in Santa Barbara, Montecito, Malibu, and Beverly Hills, with an eye toward future development, hospitality, and commercial projects throughout the United States.

Our client-centric approach, starts with a clear understanding of our clients’ needs, wishes and budgetary considerations. This ensures that every project reflects our clients’ vision in tandem with our company’s core focus.

Clear Architecture is dedicated to the design-build journey. From initial schematic concepts and crafting original designs to navigating regulations and permitting, we're committed to fostering a harmonious flow from architectural design to pre-construction and construction. We understand that we’re creating more than just a structure—whether it be a home, hospitality, or commercial - it's a reflection of our client’s dreams and aspirations.

About the role:

We are seeking a highly accomplished Principal Architect to join our leadership team and report directly to the Managing Principal. This role is intended for a senior architectural leader with deep expertise in technical design, construction detailing, building systems, specifications, and project delivery. The ideal candidate is both a strategic thinker and a highly skilled technical architect who understands how exceptional design is executed through disciplined documentation, coordination, and construction.

The Principal Architect will play a critical leadership role in shaping the technical direction of the architecture practice, mentoring teams, overseeing project quality, and ensuring that our work reflects the highest standards of design excellence and constructability. This individual will bridge leadership, design, and construction by bringing a sophisticated understanding of how buildings come together in the field.

This is a full-time, onsite role located at our headquarters in beautiful Santa Barbara, CA/ We offer a competitive total compensation package ranging from $200k to $235k, which includes a foundational base salary paired with a performance driven bonus and incentive structure.

• Provide leadership across the architecture practice, with a strong focus on technical excellence, project execution, and construction quality.
• Partner with the Managing Principal to help guide the strategic growth, performance, and standards of the architecture department.
• Lead the technical delivery of complex projects, ensuring drawing sets are coordinated, detailed, code-compliant, and buildable.
• Oversee and elevate firmwide standards for construction documentation, detailing, specifications, QA/QC, and coordination.
• Serve as a senior technical resource for project teams, providing direction on building systems, material assemblies, waterproofing, flashing, structural integration, and envelope design.
• Review projects at key milestones to ensure alignment with design intent, technical rigor, budget, and constructability.
• Work closely with design, interiors, engineering, estimating, and construction teams to strengthen integration across disciplines.
• Provide leadership during construction administration, including support for RFIs, submittals, field coordination, and technical problem solving.
• Mentor project architects, designers, and technical staff in documentation standards, detailing, and best practices.
• Contribute to business development, client relationships, and overall firm leadership as needed.
• Support the refinement of internal processes, technical resources, detail libraries, and specifications to improve quality and efficiency across the practice.

Qualifications and requirements

• Minimum 15–20 years of architectural experience, including substantial experience in senior leadership roles.
• Licensed Architect required.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited university.
• Deep knowledge of construction detailing, technical documentation, specifications, and constructability.
• Extensive experience in high-end residential architecture; additional hospitality or commercial experience is a plus.
• Strong understanding of wood, concrete, steel, and complex custom construction systems.
• Advanced knowledge of California codes, local jurisdictional requirements, IBC, and industry standards.
• Proven ability to lead teams and deliver highly coordinated, technically sophisticated projects.
• Strong experience in construction administration and working directly with contractors and consultants.
• Proficiency in Revit, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office required.
• Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Strong leadership presence with the ability to inspire confidence internally and externally.

Who You Are

• A seasoned architect with the judgment, confidence, and technical expertise to lead at the highest level.
• Deeply knowledgeable in how buildings are detailed and constructed.
• A mentor who raises the performance of those around you.
• A leader who can balance design excellence with technical discipline and real-world execution.
• Collaborative, solutions-oriented, and highly organized.
• Comfortable being both client-facing and internally influential.

Working With Us

Our mission is to Be Better. We achieve this through being a vertically integrated company that values attention to detail and sophistication unmatched by competitors. With strategic operational systems in place, our approach sets us apart: it’s the invaluable difference that comes with thoughtful, personalized collaboration. We are a team of hardworking and communicative professionals who take pride in understanding our clients’ desires and making them a reality – trust is just one of the things we build well.

Additional Benefits:

• Insurance (Medical, Dental, Life)
• 401(k) with a company match
• Paid time off and sick pay
• Mileage, tool, cell phone reimbursement
• Referral program
• Competitive pay with yearly reviews
• Opportunity for Growth
• Tuition Reimbursement

Core Values:

Passion: Care for our clients, our work, and our company.
Brilliance: Be bright, be positive, be exceptional.
Precision: Absolutely no detail is too small or unimportant.
Persistence: Unwavering in our determination to create a great result.

Benefits

• Insurance (Medical, Dental, Vision, Life)

• 401(k)

• Paid time off and sick pay

• Mileage and cell phone reimbursement

• Referral program

• Competitive pay with yearly reviews

• Opportunity for Growth

• Tuition Reimbursement

• Tool reimbursement

Travel Time Required

Physical Job Description

Typical Working Conditions

Equipment

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