Senior Architect

About Us

SAMAHA is a vertically integrated design-build firm based in Los Angeles, with direct ownership across real estate, architecture, and construction. Because we develop, design, and build our own projects, our architects have insight and influence rarely found at a traditional firm: they make design decisions alongside the people underwriting the deal and the crews building it.

Our studio takes a value-based approach to design, working at the intersection of financial strategy and building design. We believe the best architecture is both beautiful and performant: projects that elevate how people live while delivering strong investment outcomes. Our work has earned the Masterprize Award, the A’ Design Awards, and the Titan Property Awards. The Wall Street Journal, Forbes, Architectural Digest, NBC Open House, and Modern Luxury have featured our work.

We are a small, focused team running a select number of high-end residential, multifamily, and development projects at a time, so every project gets senior attention, and every team member has real ownership.

The Role

We’re looking for a licensed Senior Architect to lead projects from concept through construction and help guide our growing architecture team. You’ll own the design and delivery of multiple concurrent projects, mentor job captains and designers, and work directly with ownership, our in-house construction team, and our development partners. This is a hands-on role for an architect who wants to design, document, and see their work built, with a clear path to leading the studio as the firm grows.

What You’ll Do

Project Leadership

• Lead projects from schematic design through construction administration
• Manage project schedules, deliverables, and design budgets across several concurrent projects
• Serve as the primary architectural point of contact for ownership, clients, and consultants
• Track design-related cost and schedule impacts and communicate them clearly

Design & Feasibility

• Develop conceptual and schematic designs for new construction, major renovations, and rebuilds.
• Prepare site feasibility and massing studies to support acquisition decisions, working with our development team to test options against cost and return.
• Translate client goals and investment objectives into clear, compelling design solutions.
• Present designs to ownership, clients, and partners.

Documentation & Coordination

• Produce and oversee design development and construction document sets that are complete, accurate, and buildable
• Coordinate structural, MEP, civil, geotechnical, landscape, and interiors consultants.
• Develop details, specifications, and material selections with a focus on quality and constructability.
• Work with our in-house construction team on value engineering and sequencing.

Permitting

• Lead projects through zoning review, plan check, and permitting with LADBS, LA City Planning, and other Southern California jurisdictions.
• Navigate the California Building Code, zoning, Title 24, CALGreen, and hillside and coastal requirements.
• Manage plan-check corrections and coordinate with expediters and agency reviewers.

Construction Administration

• Respond to RFIs, review submittals, and conduct site visits and field observations.
• Collaborate with the Director of Construction and project managers to keep projects on schedule and on budget.

Team Development

• Mentor and review the work of job captains, designers, and drafters
• Help develop studio standards for drawing sets, detailing, and Revit templates

Required

• Active architectural license in the State of California
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from a NAAB-accredited program
• 5 years of professional experience, including leading projects through permitting and construction
• A portfolio of built work, ideally high-end residential, multifamily, or ground-up development
• Strong working knowledge of the California Building Code, LA zoning, and the LADBS permitting process
• Expert proficiency in Revit; working knowledge of AutoCAD and Rhino (or similar)
• Experience coordinating consultant teams and producing full CD sets
• Ability to balance design quality with budget, constructability, and schedule

Preferred

• Experience in a design-build, developer, or owner-side environment
• Interest in how design decisions affect construction cost and project returns
• Experience with coastal, hillside, or fire-rebuild projects (e.g., Pacific Palisades)
• Experience with collaborative platforms (e.g., BIM 360/ACC, Bluebeam) and visualization tools (Enscape, V-Ray, Lumion, or similar)
• Experience mentoring junior staff

Who You Are

• A designer with strong taste and a builder’s mindset
• Organized, detail-oriented, and accountable for outcomes
• A clear communicator, as comfortable presenting to ownership as walking a jobsite
• Eager to grow into a studio leadership role

Why SAMAHA

• See your work built: Award-winning, design-forward projects that get built by our own construction team
• Integrated model: Work directly with development and construction, with fast feedback and no handoff gaps
• Exposure to the full picture: Learn how projects are acquired, financed, and delivered
• Growth path: Clear runway toward leading the architecture studio as the firm grows

Location: Studio in the Miracle Mile, near LACMA

Compensation & Benefits

• $105,000 – $120,000 base salary, depending on experience
• Annual performance bonus
• Health insurance
• 2 weeks' vacation and paid holidays
• License renewal and continuing education support
• 401(k), project-based incentives

How to Apply

Please submit your resume, portfolio (PDF, max 20 MB), and a brief note about a project you’re proud of and your role in it.

SAMAHA is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.