Senior Architectural Designer
KPA, the architectural firm within the Krahn Group of Companies, is looking for a creative, motivated, and experienced individual to join our team as a Senior Architectural Designer, based at our head office in Abbotsford, BC. The successful candidate will bring strong visual communication skills and the ability to develop, understand, and interpret building design parameters.
Reporting to the Design Manager or Project Architect, the Senior Architectural Designer champions KGC and KPA's commitment to design excellence while applying strong technical and communication skills to lead multidisciplinary teams through the conceptual and design development phases. Serving as a primary client contact, this role communicates project progress and status throughout all phases of a project.
Responsibilities
- Deliver architectural services from pre-design through design development, construction, and management of the permit process
- Create and execute project work plans, revising them as appropriate to meet changing needs and requirements
- Proactively coordinate with the broader architectural team to ensure quality standards and project objectives are met
- Manage day-to-day project tracking and maintain clear communication with the client and project team
- Interpret, review, and contribute to the production and coordination of design drawings
- Conduct field reviews and prepare reports
- Manage client relationships and oversee project service delivery
- Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams through the design development phases
- Establish and manage design-team budgets and schedules as required
- Develop, track, update, forecast, and adjust project schedules and budgets throughout all phases of the project
- Maintain project document control and procedures, ensure complete permit submissions to Authorities Having Jurisdiction (AHJs), and manage related resubmission requirements
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary consultant teams, including structural, mechanical, electrical, civil, landscape, and specialty consultants, to ensure fully integrated and coordinated design solutions
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in architectural science or equivalent experience in the construction or design industry
- 8+ years’ project and design management experience in the multi-family residential sector (wood-frame construction knowledge preferred); a combination of commercial and multi-family wood-frame residential experience will also be considered
- Knowledge of local building codes (Part 3 and Part 9), bylaws, and standards
- Proficiency in Autodesk Revit 3D design software and rendering add-ons, with working knowledge of Autodesk AutoCAD
- A general understanding of the BC Energy Step Code or equivalent energy standards
- Proficiency in MS Office (Excel, Word, and Outlook)
- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Preference given to registered architects or persons with architectural education
- Knowledge of and experience with planning and design issues addressed in Zoning and Development Permit processes
- Experience planning and monitoring budgets
- Experience coaching and mentoring junior staff
- Skills in architectural design, permitting, and construction document production
- Ability to interpret and manage time procurement of interdisciplinary design documents
- Preference given to registered Architects and candidates with formal architectural education
What We Offer
- Competitive compensation and benefits
- Professional development and growth opportunities
- Work life balance
- Banked Overtime
- A collaborative, multi-disciplinary culture
If you possess the qualifications and are looking to advance your career, we want to hear from you. Apply today!
Why KPA and the Krahn Group of Companies?
The Krahn Group of Companies is a multidisciplinary building design firm specializing in commercial, industrial, and residential projects. For over 30 years, we have built a reputation for design excellence across British Columbia, Alberta, and other Canadian provinces by delivering innovative, comprehensive, and cost-effective design solutions. We offer excellent wages and benefits, as well as a variety of training and development opportunities for employees who are motivated to succeed and want to expand their horizons.
KPA and the Krahn Group of Companies are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and are committed to fostering an inclusive and accessible work culture and environment — embracing diversity and valuing the differences that exist in our provinces, our workforce, and the people we serve.
Please note that due to the volume of applications, only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
