J Chavez Design Build

Senior Residential Architectural DesignerCustom Residential Design Studio — Portland + Oregon Coast Region

Design isn’t just drawings here — it’s stewardship.
We design homes meant to last generations, blending craftsmanship, building science, and thoughtful design into spaces that feel timeless and deeply personal.

Our studio focuses on high-end custom residential projects rooted in the Pacific Northwest — modern yet warm, historically sensitive yet innovative. We value integrity, clear communication, and people who take pride in doing things the right way.

We are looking for a Senior Residential Architectural Designer who is highly proficient in Chief Architect, thrives on responsibility, and wants to play a meaningful role in a growing design practice.

This is not a narrow production role. You will be involved in nearly every part of the business — from client interactions to field verification to technical design development — and you will help serve as the local design presence while the founder travels abroad for a year.

If you love ownership, collaboration, and seeing your work built in the real world, keep reading.

Who We Are

Our work is guided by a few core values:

Craftsmanship — obsession with quality, detail, and longevity

Integrity — thoughtful communication and doing things right, even when harder

Innovation — using technology and visualization to elevate design and the client experience

Timelessness — homes that feel grounded and enduring

Stewardship — responsibility toward clients, collaborators, and community

Growth — humility, learning, and continual refinement

We collaborate closely with a network of respected architects, builders, and consultants, creating an environment where ideas are shared and growth opportunities emerge naturally.

The Role

You will be a key design team member and trusted representative of the studio locally. This position includes:

Producing high-quality residential design drawings and construction documents in Chief Architect

Performing as-built field measurements and translating existing conditions accurately

Developing plan sets that balance aesthetics, constructability, and code compliance

Working directly with homeowners and project stakeholders

Collaborating with a studio environment that includes experienced architects and designers

Supporting visualization, design development, and iterative client design processes

Helping maintain continuity and momentum while the principal is traveling internationally

This role offers meaningful autonomy and direct impact — you will not be hidden in production.

What You Bring

Required

Degree in Architecture (or closely related field)

Experience working within architectural offices or alongside licensed architects

Strong background producing construction documents

Advanced proficiency in Chief Architect

Experience with residential design (custom homes and/or additions/remodels)

Comfort interacting directly with clients and consultants

Excellent organizational and communication skills

Ability to take ownership and manage responsibilities with minimal oversight

Highly Valued

Construction or field experience (design-build background a major plus)

Strong understanding of building systems and constructability

Familiarity with high-performance building principles

Ability to bridge design intent with real-world execution

Who Will Thrive Here

You might be the right fit if you:

Love custom residential work and care deeply about detail

Prefer responsibility over being micromanaged

Enjoy both studio collaboration and independent problem-solving

Want your work to be built — and built well

Are excited to be part of something growing and evolving

Value long-term relationships over transactional projects

The Opportunity

This position places you inside a collaborative studio with long-standing architectural relationships and active projects. Exceptional performance can lead to:

Expanded leadership responsibilities

Collaboration opportunities with other architects in the network

Long-term career growth within a unique design ecosystem

Location

Portland / Northern Oregon Coast region (hybrid studio + field involvement)

How to Apply

Please submit:

Resume

Portfolio (especially custom residential work) - add a link in your Cover Letter

Brief note describing why this role resonates with you and how you see yourself contributing

A Note to Applicants

We are not looking for someone who just wants a job.
We’re looking for someone who wants to build something meaningful — homes, relationships, and a body of work they’re proud of.