Project Architect - Residential Construction Admin Specialist

About Us

Clayco is a full-service, turnkey real estate development, master planning, architecture, engineering, and construction firm that safely delivers clients across North America the highest quality solutions on time, on budget, and above and beyond expectations. With $8.1 billion in revenue for 2025, Clayco specializes in the "art and science of building," providing fast track, efficient solutions for mission critical, industrial, life sciences, power & energy, aviation, commercial, institutional, residential and sports & entertainment related building projects.

About LJC

LJC Design & Engineering is a full-service architecture, engineering, and design firm committed to enhancing the quality of the human experience through integrated design. We are a team of high-energy professionals who share a passion for design, a collaborative approach, and a casual culture. We solve challenges by leveraging the collective expertise and ingenuity of the best and brightest minds across development, design, and construction.

The Role We Want You For

We are seeking an experienced Project Architect to lead and support construction administration (CA) phase services for a growing portfolio of residential projects that are currently under construction or breaking ground. This role is ideal for an architect who thrives in the field-to-drawing-board feedback loop — keeping documents accurate, responsive, and buildable while construction is actively underway.

Our active pipeline spans student housing and market-rate multifamily developments, delivered across both Type V wood-frame and Type I construction (including podium and high-rise configurations). You will play a central role in finishing and refining drawing packages, issuing Issued-for-Construction (IFC) sets, and serving as a key technical liaison between the design team, consultants, ownership, and the general contractor through project closeout.

This is a hands-on, detail-driven position for someone who knows that great buildings are made during construction.

The Specifics of the Role

• Lead construction administration from IFC issuance through substantial completion and closeout, serving as the day-to-day architectural point of contact for the contractor, owner, and consultant team.
• Complete and refine construction document packages, including the production and issuance of IFC sets, permit revisions, addenda, bulletins, and supplemental drawings as projects move into and through construction.
• Review and respond to RFIs, process submittals and shop drawings, and issue ASIs providing clear, code-compliant, and constructible direction within established turnaround times, and tracking responses to resolution.
• Conduct site visits and field observations, documenting progress, identifying deviations from the documents, generating field reports, and developing and tracking punch lists through completion.
• Lead and coordinate development of construction documents with project team, engineers, consultants, and builder
• Coordinate across disciplines (structural, MEP, civil, landscape, and specialty consultants) to identify and resolve conflicts.
• Partner with the Project Manager to track schedule, budget and manage risk.
• Build and maintain strong client relationships to understand needs and manage expectations throughout the project.
• Mentor and direct junior architectural staff and drafters, reviewing their work for quality, accuracy, and adherence to office standards while helping develop the next generation of project architects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from an accredited institution.
• Registered Architect with a current license or nearing licensure.
• Minimum of 10 years of architectural experience with a focus on multifamily and/or student housing projects and demonstrated experience with Construction Administration.
• Demonstrated experience with both Type V wood-frame and Type I construction, including podium and mid-rise residential typologies.
• Working knowledge of the IBC, accessibility standards (ADA/FHA), and the CA process (RFIs, submittals, ASIs, change orders, punch lists, closeout).
• Proficiency in Revit and AutoCAD; familiarity with Bluebeam, Procore, and/or similar document and field-management platforms.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to coordinate effectively with contractors, consultants, and ownership.
• Ability to work collaboratively in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build positive relationships with clients and team members.

Some Things You Should Know

• Our clients and projects are nationwide – travel will be part of the job.
• No other builder can offer the collaborative design-build approach that Clayco does.
• We work on creative, complex, award-winning, high-profile projects.
• The pace is fast!

Why Clayco and LJC?

• 2025 Best Places to Work – St. Louis Business Journal, Los Angeles Business Journal, and Phoenix Business Journal.
• 2025 ENR Top 400 – Top Data Center Contractor (Top 3).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Design-Build Firms – Design-Build Contractor (Top 5).
• 2025 ENR Top 100 Green Contractors – Green Contractor (Top 3).

Benefits

• Discretionary Annual Bonus: Subject to company and individual performance.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package Including: Medical, dental and vision plans, 401k, generous PTO and paid company holidays, employee assistance program, flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability coverage, learning & development programs and more!

Compensation

• The salary range for this position considers a wide range of factors in making compensation decisions including but not limited to: Education, qualifications, skills, training, experience, certifications, internal equity, and location. Compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case.