Remote Architectural Specification Writer Jobs in Portland, OR

Location: Remote -- United States

Engagement type: Independent contractor, with potential consideration for future W-2 employment

Anticipated workload: Approximately 40 hours per week

Compensation: $45-$55 per hour, based on experience

Applicants must reside and be authorized to work in a location where Aforma Design Studio can legally engage independent contractors. Eligible locations should be confirmed before an offer is made.

Aforma Design Studio grew out of high-end custom home construction. That builder-focused perspective informs how we approach residential design, detailing, documentation, and preconstruction.

We work with builders, architects, and homeowners to produce coordinated drawings and practical design solutions. We are also investing in technology, AI-assisted workflows, and modern production systems to improve the connection between design and construction.

We are seeking an experienced Architectural Project Manager to lead residential projects from early feasibility through construction administration. This is a communication-intensive role that requires strong coordination with clients, contractors, consultants, and internal production staff.

• Manage multiple residential projects from early design through construction administration.
• Coordinate project schedules, deliverables, consultants, client decisions, and internal production activities.
• Review and provide QA/QC oversight for Revit models developed from point-cloud and as-built information.
• Oversee the preparation of construction-document and permit-submittal sets.
• Draft and coordinate responses to plan-check comments.
• Provide clear, actionable markups and direction to production staff.
• Guide clients through material, fixture, finish, and interior-selection decisions.
• Respond to contractor questions and assist with field coordination during construction.
• Identify opportunities to improve design-to-construction workflows using Autodesk tools, structured data, and AI-assisted processes.

• At least five years of relevant experience in architecture, residential design-build, or a closely related project-delivery environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing residential design and documentation projects.
• Extensive hands-on experience assembling, reviewing, and marking up permit and construction-document sets.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide clear direction to production staff and communicate effectively with clients, contractors, and consultants.
• Strong design judgment across massing, spatial planning, materials, fixtures, and finishes.
• Ability to manage multiple projects with limited day-to-day supervision.
• Proficiency in Revit.

• Experience working with point-cloud data or existing-condition documentation.
• Experience with Lumion or comparable rendering software.
• Experience with Programa or another specifications-management platform.
• Familiarity with Autodesk Construction Cloud, Autodesk Forma, or Bluebeam Revu.
• Experience working in a distributed or remote design team.

This is a remote role with required collaboration during core hours of approximately 12:00-4:00 p.m. Eastern Time / 9:00 a.m.-1:00 p.m. Pacific Time. Additional working hours may be arranged around project needs and agreed deliverables.

Aforma uses Slack and Google Workspace for internal communication. Project tools may include Revit, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Autodesk Forma, Bluebeam Revu, Lumion, and Programa.

The role is expected to begin as an independent-contractor engagement at a rate of $45-$55 per hour. The anticipated workload is approximately 40 hours per week, although hours and total earnings are not guaranteed unless stated in the final written agreement.

Contractors are responsible for their own taxes and are not eligible for employee benefits during the contractor engagement. Any equipment, software, expense-reimbursement, insurance, or licensing requirements will be explained before engagement.

Aforma may consider converting the successful contractor to W-2 employment after approximately six months, based on performance, business needs, work authorization, employment eligibility, and other relevant factors. Conversion is not guaranteed. Any W-2 compensation and benefits would be communicated separately before conversion.

The role is expected to include oversight by a licensed architect and may qualify for AXP experience, subject to current NCARB requirements and approval. Candidates should independently verify their eligibility.

Aforma Design Studio is an equal opportunity employer. We consider qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Candidates will not be charged application, training, equipment-access, placement, or other employment-related fees.