Project Architect - General Construction

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

WE ARE AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER