Project Architect

Join a firm that’s growing while staying true to its values.

About RBS Design Group

RBS Design Group is an award-winning architecture firm headquartered in Owensboro, Kentucky, with an office in Louisville. Since 1978, we’ve designed schools, civic buildings, churches, athletic facilities, and commercial projects across Kentucky and the region, with a reputation built on excellent service, great value, creative design, and a close-knit, family-first culture. Much of our work is for school districts, cities, and counties, and RBS is part of a growing family of companies alongside RJA Engineering.

About the Role

We’re looking for a Project Architect to lead projects and project teams from first concept through construction. You’ll direct the design and documentation of each project you lead, guide the designers who work on it, coordinate the engineering disciplines, and serve as the owner’s day-to-day contact, with the support of our Principals. Alongside our school, city, and county work, we deliver municipal and industrial facilities with RJA Engineering, so experience in those markets is a real plus.

This is a full-time, salaried position based at our Louisville office. You should be a licensed architect or within a year of licensure. Candidates who are close will start as a Senior Project Designer and be promoted to Project Architect when they are licensed in Kentucky.

What You’ll Do

• Lead projects from programming and schematic design through construction documents, bidding, construction administration, and closeout

• Direct the project team — assign work, mark up and review drawings, and keep designers on schedule

• Set design direction with the Principal, and present designs to owners, boards, and public bodies

• Prepare and oversee construction documents and specifications that are complete, coordinated, and code-compliant

• Coordinate our building engineers, RJA Engineering’s civil, geotechnical, and survey teams, and outside consultants

• Prepare code analyses and manage plan review with the Kentucky Department of Housing, Buildings and Construction, local officials, and the Kentucky Department of Education on school projects

• Manage scope, schedule, and fee, and keep the Principal informed of project status and decisions needed

• Develop cost opinions and support bidding with addenda, pre-bid meetings, and bid evaluation

• Lead construction administration — submittals, RFIs, owner–architect–contractor meetings, site observation, pay applications, punch lists, and closeout

• Mentor designers and serve as an AXP supervisor for staff pursuing licensure

• Support proposals, interviews, and client relationships

Schedule

Monday–Friday, full-time, with regular travel to project sites and client meetings across the region.

What You’ll Need

• Licensed architect in Kentucky, or licensed in another state with an active NCARB Certificate and able to obtain Kentucky licensure by reciprocity within 180 days

• Not yet licensed? A NAAB-accredited architecture degree, AXP complete or nearly complete, and on track to pass the ARE and be licensed in Kentucky within one year of hire

• 5 years of professional architectural experience, including construction documents, construction administration, and leading projects or project teams

• Thorough knowledge of building codes, accessibility, life safety, building systems, and construction methods

• Ability to direct designers and keep several projects on schedule and within fee

• Strong written and verbal communication, including presentations to owners, boards, and public bodies

• Working proficiency with Revit or AutoCAD, Microsoft Office, and Bluebeam Revu

• Valid driver’s license and the ability to travel to project sites, client meetings, and our Owensboro office

• Ability to pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check

Nice to Have

• Municipal projects — public works and utility buildings, fire and police stations, administrative and community buildings, and FEMA-funded community safe rooms

• Industrial projects — manufacturing, production, and warehouse facilities, including pre-engineered metal buildings and specialized occupancies

• Revit proficiency, including leading a team model and setting up templates and standards

• Publicly bid Kentucky projects, including Kentucky Department of Education school projects

• Specification writing with MasterSpec, SpecLink, or similar

• Rendering and presentation skills with Enscape, Twinmotion, or Lumion

• An active NCARB Certificate

Why Join RBS?

You’ll lead your own projects and teams, work directly with owners and our Principals, and see schools, civic buildings, municipal facilities, and industrial projects through from first sketch to finished building — with the engineering, surveying, and geotechnical depth of RJA Engineering in the same family of companies. You’ll have the stability of a firm with nearly 50 years in Kentucky and room to take on more leadership as we grow.

Benefits

• Competitive salary

• SIMPLE IRA with a 3% company match

• Health insurance

• Company-paid life insurance, plus an optional employee-paid policy

• Paid time off and paid holidays

• Dental, vision, and short-term disability available through pre-tax payroll deduction

• Continuing education and tuition reimbursement

• Licensure support, including reimbursement of first-attempt ARE exam fees and primary study materials

How to Apply

Apply here on Indeed with your resume and a short note on your licensure status and two or three projects you’ve led. Finalists will be asked to walk through work samples from those projects.

Equal Opportunity

RBS Design Group is an equal opportunity employer.

Work Location: In person — Louisville, KY

Pay: $72,000.00 - $95,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Professional development assistance
• Retirement plan
• Tuition reimbursement
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you a licensed architect, either in Kentucky or in another state with an active NCARB Certificate? If not, tell us how many ARE divisions you have passed and whether your AXP is complete.
• How many years of professional architectural experience do you have, including construction documents and construction administration? (minimum 5, required)
• Do you have experience designing municipal or industrial facilities? (Yes/No)
• Do you have a valid driver’s license? (Yes/No)

Work Location: In person

Salary : $72,000 - $95,000