Position Summary
Great States Construction, a leading commercial general contractor based in Fargo, ND, is seeking a licensed Project Architect to support the design of multifamily and commercial construction projects across North Dakota, Minnesota, South Dakota, and Montana. Working in an integrated design-build environment, this individual will contribute to projects from schematic design through construction administration, partnering closely with senior leadership, in-house project management, and field teams to deliver buildings that are constructible, on budget, and on schedule. This is a regional role with project work spread across four states, making it ideal for a licensed architect ready to build deep multi-jurisdictional code experience and grow toward a senior design leadership position. This role will report to the VP of Construction.
Compensation Structure
- $90,000k/yr+ depending on experience
- Performance-based bonus opportunities
Project Portfolio
- Ground-up multifamily and commercial construction projects
- Opportunity to lead larger-scale, mixed-use developments across the Upper Midwest and Northern Rockies
Key Responsibilities
Site Selection and Preliminary Layout
- Assist with evaluating potential development sites from an architectural, planning, code, and constructability perspective.
- Develop, review, and refine preliminary layouts, test fits, access points, circulation, parking, building placement, and site efficiency.
- Identify early constraints such as zoning, setbacks, easements, utilities, drainage, grading, access, code issues, and permitting challenges.
Design Management and Brand Consistency
- Work with outside architectural firms to maintain project uniformity, design standards, schedule, and conformance with brand expectations.
- Review drawings, elevations, details, specifications, finish selections, and design decisions for quality, consistency, and constructability.
- Help create, maintain, and improve company standards, prototype details, preferred materials, and lessons learned for future projects.
Consultant and Entitlement Coordination
- Manage and coordinate architects, civil engineers, structural engineers, MEP consultants, landscape consultants, surveyors, and specialty consultants.
- Support the entitlement process through city, county, and state approvals, including planning, zoning, permitting, utilities, and agency reviews.
- Track design deliverables, review comments, consultant responses, and approval milestones to keep projects moving forward.
Bidding, Value Engineering, and Material Approvals
- Assist with bidding by reviewing drawings and specifications for completeness, coordination, missing scope, and constructability concerns.
- Support value engineering efforts that improve cost, availability, efficiency, durability, and long-term maintenance without sacrificing quality or brand standards.
- Review proposed substitutions and material-as-equal requests for performance, appearance, compatibility, availability, and brand conformance.
Construction-Phase Support and QA/QC
- Serve as an owner-side design and quality resource throughout construction.
- Work with contractors and consultants to verify that work conforms to approved plans, specifications, codes, and Great States standards.
- Act as the QA/QC manager for Great States Construction by documenting observations, tracking issues, and confirming corrective action.
- Review RFIs, submittals, shop drawings, field conditions, proposed changes, and coordination conflicts as needed.
Closeout, Punch List, and Turnover
- Assist with punch list development, quality verification, follow-up, and final completion.
- Coordinate closeout documentation, as-builts, warranties, manuals, certificates, and owner/management company turnover materials.
- Help turn completed projects over to the management company in an organized, complete, and operations-ready condition.
Qualifications
- 5-8 years of architectural experience with demonstrated exposure to multifamily and commercial projects.
- Strong working knowledge of IBC, ADA, and multi-state building code amendments (ND, MN, SD, MT)
- Demonstrated ability to lead projects with increasing design and coordination responsibility
- Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities in a fast-paced, design-build environment
- Excellent communication, graphic, and problem-solving skills.
- Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from a NAAB-accredited program.
- Current architectural licensure required with active NCARB record; North Dakota licensure or ability to obtain via reciprocity within 90 days of hire; willingness and ability to pursue MN, SD, and MT licensure via reciprocity as project needs require.
- Clean driving record and willingness to travel regionally to project sites.
Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities Required
- Revit and AutoCAD proficiency required - must be able to produce production-level documents independently.
- Bluebeam Revu for markups, submittal review, and document control.
- Procore experience for construction administration, RFIs, and submittals (preferred).
- Adobe Creative Suite (InDesign, Photoshop, Illustrator) for presentations and client deliverables.
- Familiarity with SketchUp, Enscape, or similar visualization tools is a plus.
- Strong time management and multi-tasking abilities across concurrent project phases.
- Team-oriented with a commitment to design quality, constructability, and professional growth.
Benefits and Perks
- Health, dental, and vision insurance with HSA
- Supplementary insurance
- 401k with a match of 4%
- Flexible time off and 9 paid holidays
- Paid volunteer hours
- Continuing education (HSW) and professional development support
- AIA membership dues, NCARB record fees, and multi-state licensure reimbursement (ND, MN, SD, MT)
- Performance-based bonus opportunities tied to project success
Physical Demands
- Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
- Must be able to lift and/or move up to 25 pounds.
- Regular regional travel to active construction sites across ND, MN, SD, and MT, including standing/walking, climbing ladders, and navigating uneven terrain.
Why Join Us
- Rare opportunity to work across full project lifecycles in-house at a growing design-build GC
- Work side-by-side with construction teams - see your drawings get built
- Build a uniquely broad multi-state portfolio across the Upper Midwest and Northern Rockies
- Exposure to both multifamily and commercial project types across diverse markets
- Clear path toward Senior Project Architect and Director-level design leadership
- Work on meaningful, visible projects in a high-growth regional market
