David Baker Architects

David Baker Architects is a collaborative team of optimistic designers and architects committed to leading with expertise, curiosity, tenacity, pragmatism, and joy. We are national leaders in affordable housing and innovative sustainable design, and we pursue projects that have the power to build, transform, and reflect the character and strength of a community. We understand that designing climate-responsive housing is more than pursuing a zero carbon building, and that the context of community development, infrastructure and social equity drive the impact of a project.

As a JUST-certified organization, we are committed to equity and social justice both in our practice and our workplace culture. DBA is headquartered in San Francisco, with an office and fabrication shop in Oakland, California, and a growing base in Birmingham, Alabama.

We are seeking a talented and engaged licensed architect to join us in the San Francisco Bay Area. This position offers a great opportunity to bring multiple projects to fruition and to mentor and collaborate with highly engaged colleagues committed to being a “multiplier of good”—doing work that creates a ripple outward of positive effects.

Qualifications

• 10 years professional experience
• Bachelor degree in architecture
• Licensed Architect (California preferred)
• Construction Administration experience
• Revit experience
• Strong professional references

Ideal Qualifications

• LEED AP or GA
• Multifamily residential experience
• Wood framing, metal framing, and concrete structure experience
• California Building Code experience
• Writing AMMRs to AHJ
• BIM coordination/Clash Detection experience
• Modular building experience
• Mass Timber experience
• Previous work in Bay Area jurisdictions; especially work reviewed by San Francisco Mayor’s Office on Disability

Responsibilities - Construction Projects

• Participate in Owner/Architect/Contractor weekly meetings
• Perform site visits and produce field observation reports
• Comfortable operating in an active environment (i.e. noise, drafty, fast-paced, etc.)
• Physical ability to safely walk, climb, stretch, reach, kneel, or crawl as may be required by certain tasks and/or site visits.
• Manage communication and revisions as part of the Construction Administration process
• Negotiate code interpretations with authorities having jurisdiction, as needed
• Assist in the evaluation of Value Engineering and Bid Qualifications during the bidding process.
• Advocate for design intent throughout construction process

Responsibilities - Staff Support

• Serve as technical resource for project teams
• Perform technical review of drawing sets and specifications
• Provide consistent clear feedback to staff to continually improve QA/QC for the firm

This is a full-time position and is open to candidates in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our firm is extremely collaborative, working across offices as one seamless team. Currently staff are following a hybrid model of 3 days in-office and remote work. DBA has had success with this hybrid model and plans to support a flexible approach to work indefinitely. Construction site visits average once a week (days of the week and number will vary per project). Salary commensurate with experience. 

Benefits

We are proud to provide an inclusive and positive work environment that fosters employee happiness. All full-time employees are eligible for the following benefits:

• 11 paid holidays
• Competitive medical, dental, vision, and FSA plans
• Subscription to Modern Health which includes 12 therapy sessions and 12 virtual coaching sessions
• Bike & car share memberships
• Commuter benefits
• Office well-being: weekly culture lunches, healthy snacks, and monthly massages
• Annual staff retreat

Paid Leaves

• 15 days of annual PTO, increasing after 5 & 10 years
• Up to 18 weeks of paid Maternity Leave (in conjunction with state offering)
• Up to 8 weeks of paid Paternity Leave (in conjunction with state offering)
• School Visitation Leave
• Bereavement Leave

Retirement / Savings

• 401(k) program
• Profit-sharing plan
• 529 College Savings Plan

Professional Growth

• Mentorship opportunities
• Learning and development stipend of $1000 annually
• Reimbursement for Licensure and Certifications
• Opportunity to attend design conferences annually

Please Note: At this time DBA cannot offer sponsorship for employment.

If you are interested in this position, and meet the minimum requirements, we highly encourage you to apply or to connect with us to learn more about this role. We have listed additional "ideal" qualifications for reference, but no candidate will be disqualified for not meeting these additional items.

Thank you for your interest in our firm and we look forward to your application.