Intermediate Architectural Associate

Our Work

We are an architecture and real estate development social enterprise creating spaces that embody justice, healing, and self-determination. By designing with communities most impacted by incarceration and disinvestment, we build infrastructure that supports community ownership, redistributes power, and lays the foundation for a world rooted in care, not punishment.

To achieve this mission our team is composed of architects, designers, real estate developers and community members working together to create solutionary spaces and places that bring dignity, well-being and care to the communities we serve.

How You Fit In

Title: Intermediate Architectural Associate

Location: Oakland, CA — Hybrid (3 days/week in office)

Salary Range: $85,000–$110,000

Reports To: Studio Director

You love our mission, bring excellent design skills across a variety of project scales, and are excited to apply those skills to community engagement, finance, and real estate development projects throughout California and across the country. You'll play a key role in advancing design projects by contributing both technical rigor and creative vision. Your work will ensure that community input is honored in every phase and that design intent is carried through to completion.

Who You Are

• Currently based in the California Bay Area and eligible to work in the U.S.
• Hold a Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture
• 5–7 years of professional experience across all phases of architectural design
• Skilled in producing full drawing sets, construction detailing, and coordinating with consultants and engineers
• Strong knowledge of construction materials, standards, and details
• Experience with pre-design, building programming, code research, and navigating entitlement and permitting processes
• Proficient in Revit, SketchUp, Rhino, AutoCAD, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office, and Google Apps
• Strong model-making skills (physical and digital)
• Excellent verbal and written communication and organizational skills; collaborative interpersonal style
• High emotional intelligence, cultural competency, and a solutions-oriented mindset
• Ability to take both initiative and direction; accountable and open to feedback
• Deep commitment to justice and equity and community-led, cross-disciplinary design processes
• Professional, adaptable, teachable, and aligned with mission and values

Experience That's Helpful but Not Required

• Familiarity with the programming phase of architectural design
• Fabrication or 3D printing experience
• Trauma-informed design knowledge
• Public speaking and facilitation skills
• Community engagement experience
• Spanish fluency
• Graphic design, sketching, or illustration skills

What You'll Lead

• Prepare design diagrams, design studies, and conceptual design presentation materials; present to clients when appropriate
• Advance design concepts through technical phases, ensuring documentation reflects intent and execution
• Contribute technical drawings and design support across new construction, adaptive reuse, renovation, housing, commercial, education, and mixed-use developments
• Support all phases of drawing production including detailing, integration, and contract documents
• Conduct building code and zoning research, including California codes and permitting processes
• Assist with construction administration tasks including RFIs, consultant/contractor coordination, and close-out documentation
• Support community engagement efforts and translate findings into building programs and design narratives
• Provide mentorship and support to interns or junior staff

Where You'll Collaborate

• Work closely with the Design Director and design team on concept design, development, and presentations using analog and digital tools
• Partner with the Community Engagement Manager to translate engagement findings into design strategies
• Collaborate on FF&E selection, lighting, finishes, and millwork documentation
• Engage with consultants, contractors, and community stakeholders
• Collaborate with Communications and Real Estate teams as part of an integrated project approach

Benefits

• Annual salary range of $85,000–$110,000, depending on experience
• Full-time, salaried position with hybrid work structure
• 100% medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage for employees and their children under age 26, with optional additional coverage
• Paid time off including vacation, sick leave, bereavement, jury duty, and 16 total holidays
• Up to 12 weeks of fully paid parental leave
• Sabbatical eligibility after 7 years of service with 12 weeks paid leave