Lewis Creek Builders is seeking an architectural designer to join our Design-Build Team! At this time, we are looking for a designer with at least 3 years of residential architectural design experience with demonstrated experience managing the specification, selection, and procurement of materials, finishes, and fixtures.
At Lewis Creek, we are a team of designers, craftspeople, and construction management professionals collaborating to manage every aspect of your building or remodeling project. We take pride in our principled and people-focused approach to delivering beautiful, energy efficient, custom homes.
As a Designer at Lewis Creek, you will support residential construction and remodeling projects through all phases of design, while working collaboratively with our in-house sales, project management, and carpentry teams. The ideal candidate has strong technical skills, residential design experience, and thrives in a collaborative environment.
DESIGNER I JOB DESCRIPTION
Role Qualities
A successful Architectural Designer at Lewis Creek leads design projects with creativity, technical excellence, and strategic thinking. This individual is highly organized, detail-oriented, and proactive, with the ability to manage complex projects and drive multiple projects forward simultaneously.
This role requires technical expertise in residential architectural design, strong design leadership, and exceptional written, verbal, and visual communication skills. The Designer must be confident facilitating productive client conversations, navigating ambiguity, and balancing design integrity with budget, schedule, and constructability.
A successful member of the Lewis Creek Builders team is kind, adaptable, and committed to learning, collaboration, and delivering exceptional service to our clients and community.
Role Summary
The goal of the Designer is to lead all phases of design for residential design-build projects. This role holds primary ownership of the design vision and ensures that projects are executed with excellence from concept through construction.
The Designer partners directly with clients and works in close collaboration with Sales, Project Management, and Build teams. In addition to leading project design, this role collaborates with other members of the Design team, contributes to process improvements, and supports the long-term development of the company’s design standards and systems. A typical growth path for this position is to a 'Designer II' level role.
This is a full-time position expected to work 40 hours per week, with 75–85% of those hours billable to clients. The position is based in our Essex Junction, VT office, with flexibility to work from 1-2 days per week as feasible within role duties. This position reports to the Creative Director.
Principal Duties:
Design Leadership & Project Ownership
- Lead the full design process for assigned projects, from pre-design and conceptual development through construction close-out.
- Facilitate design conversations and guide clients through decisions, ensuring clarity, alignment, and momentum.
- Balance client vision, function, aesthetics, budget, schedule, durability, and constructability.
- Proactively identify risks, open questions, and scope considerations early in the process.
- Establish and uphold design standards and quality benchmarks across projects.
- Participate in Design Team collaboration across projects by providing constructive design critique, guidance, and perspective.
Client & Team Collaboration
- Serve as the primary design contact for clients on a variety of project types and sizes.
- Present schematic design, design development, and construction documents with clarity and authority.
- Collaborate closely with Sales during early project definition and feasibility phases.
- Partner with Project Management and Build teams to ensure design intent is maintained throughout construction.
- Provide aesthetic guidance and design problem-solving throughout the project, including the build phase.
Technical Expertise & Documentation
- Generate and contribute to the production of design-related drawings, presentations, and communication tools.
- Ensure technical accuracy, code compliance, and constructability of all documents.
- Coordinate zoning, permitting, and regulatory approvals.
- Propose appropriate high-efficiency construction assemblies and details.
- Support continuous improvement of drafting standards, documentation systems, and design workflows.
Operational Excellence
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously while aligning with company production schedules.
- Track and accurately record billable and non-billable time.
- Accurately forecast and plan workload to set rigorous and achievable project goals in collaboration with leadership.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
- Solid residential design problem-solving skills.
- Experience leading and facilitating design directly with residential clients.
- Expertise in producing high-quality 2D and 3D visualizations and construction documents.
- Working knowledge of applicable building codes, standards, and regulations.
- Working understanding of construction methods and materials.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including active listening and confident public presentation.
- Ability to self-motivate, independent learning and professional growth as well as participate in and receive constructive design critique.
Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience in residential architectural design.
- Demonstrated experience leading residential design-build projects through construction.
- Proficiency in architectural rendering software (2D and 3D) required. Proficiency with Chief Architect preferred.
- Strong understanding of permitting and regulatory processes.
- Project management and/or on-site construction experience is highly beneficial but not required.
Compensation and Benefits
This is a full-time, salaried position with an expected salary range of $65,000 to $90,000, commensurate with experience and qualifications. Benefits include:
- Flexible scheduling to accommodate your personal needs provided sufficient notice is given and a schedule can be articulated and mutually agreed upon.
- Reimbursement for non-commuting mileage that is accrued through either traveling between job sites during a workday or for materials or errands that you perform in service to Lewis Creek or our clients. The reimbursement rate is set by the IRS. Mileage reimbursement is not offered for commuting from home to office/jobsite or from office/jobsite to home.
- Six paid holidays: Memorial Day, 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day.
- After 3 months of working with Lewis Creek we offer two weeks (ten days) paid vacation per year, this amount increases incrementally with years of service. At the same time you are eligible for 5 paid sick/personal days per year.
- A simple IRA plan where we match dollar for dollar up to 3% of your annual gross income that you defer from your salary into your Simple IRA retirement account. Eligibility for participation is 90 days from your start date or $5000 gross salary earned.
- Group short-term and long-term disability insurance and life insurance paid for by Lewis Creek. Enhanced coverage is available at your own additional cost, at better than market rates.
- Health Benefits, with two plans to choose from, each with a significant employer paid contribution. There is an additional $1000 HRA account made available to all employees, regardless of enrollment in an LCB plan. Eligible FSA account.
- Tools & Equipment Allowance that increases with tenure.
- Additional benefits as outlined in the LCB Employee Handbook.
Pay: $65,000.00 - $90,000.00 per year
Work Location: In person
