About Workbench

Workbench is a develop design build company championing and scaling new solutions to solving California’s housing crisis. This means creating housing and community places that are more affordable, equitable, and well-designed for both human well-being and environmental sustainability.

We are a team of experienced multi-family, commercial, and residential builders, developers, designers, and architects, finance experts, policy wonks, and social entrepreneurs. We are unusual in our industry as a majority women company, and we value diversity and inclusion within our staff and project partners. Our diverse portfolio includes many housing types, from large-scale multi-family housing and mixed-use projects down to ADUs. We create housing that is more affordable in part through the increased effectiveness and efficiency of integrating development, design, and construction management in one company. We also innovate financial structures and partnerships to build more affordable housing without public subsidy.

The Project Architect Role

At Workbench, Project Architects are responsible for overseeing the timely, accurate and profitable completion of projects. Multi-Family Project Architects will lead a project-based team, delegating work to Job Captains and other team members through all project phases. Skilled consultant and client-facing coordination is essential. In this role you will participate in design studies and proposals in collaboration with the Creative Design Director and Leadership.

Job Responsibilities

Project Planning and Coordination:

Develop comprehensive project plans, including timelines, budgets, and resource allocation, ensuring alignment with client objectives and company standards. Coordinate with job captains to delegate tasks effectively and monitor progress throughout the project lifecycle.

Design Oversight and Direction:

Collaborate with the Creative Design Director to establish design concepts and ensure they are effectively translated into architectural plans. Provide guidance and direction to the team to maintain design integrity while meeting project requirements.

Client Communication and Relationship Management:

Serve as a primary point of contact for clients, addressing inquiries, providing updates, and managing expectations throughout the project. Cultivate strong client relationships by demonstrating responsiveness, professionalism, and a commitment to delivering high-quality results.

Team Leadership and Mentorship:

Lead and motivate a team of architects and designers, including job captains, fostering a collaborative and creative work environment. Provide mentorship, guidance, and support to team members, encouraging professional development and growth.

Quality Assurance and Compliance:

Ensure that all architectural plans and designs meet industry standards, building codes, and regulatory requirements. Conduct regular reviews and quality checks to identify and address any issues or discrepancies, maintaining a high level of accuracy and compliance.

Construction Administration Support:

Collaborate with project managers and construction teams to provide ongoing support during the construction phase. Address any design-related issues or modifications, review submittals, and participate in site visits to ensure project success and adherence to desgn intent.

Risk Management and Problem Solving:

Identify potential risks or challenges that may impact project timelines, constructability, liability or deliverables, developing proactive strategies to mitigate these issues. Actively problem-solve and make informed decisions to resolve conflicts or obstacles as they arise, maintaining project momentum and client satisfaction.

Continuous Improvement and Innovation:

Stay abreast of emerging trends, technologies, and best practices in architecture and design. Encourage innovation and creative thinking within the team, seeking opportunities to enhance project outcomes, streamline processes, and deliver exceptional results that exceed client expectations.

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in Architecture

10 years of experience, ideally in multi-family housing , expertise in large scale multi-family (preferred) or mixed-use architecture design projects

Be a registered architect (preferred) or eligible to take the Architectural Registration Exam (ARE)

Proficient with Revit, including Revit experience with full construction documentation; AutoCAD experience is an asset

Knowledge of 2030/DDX reporting and carbon calculation/accounting tools (Tally/EC3) an asset

Possess excellent communication and coordination skills: be skilled at organizing consultant workflows and schedules, construction administration tasks, etc.

Ability to travel for projects

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: $120,000.00 - $145,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Flexible schedule
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Vision insurance

Experience level:

• 10 years

Schedule:

• Day shift
• Monday to Friday

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Oakland, CA 94612