Architectural Designer

Primer • San Francisco, CA

5d

About The Position

Every new Primer campus starts as an empty building in a city where we've never operated. Someone has to turn it into a school fast: pass code, fit the budget, and feel like Primer the moment a kid walks in. This role is responsible for turning empty buildings into schools quickly, meeting code, budget, and Primer's brand standards. The pace of campus openings depends on the speed and quality of this role's execution, and the standards set will be reused across all future campuses.

Requirements

• 5+ years in architectural project management, interior design, or a closely related field, with demonstrated ownership from design through construction.
• Experience building design standards or prototypes for multi-location rollout.
• Background in schools, retail, or hospitality, where physical space is critical to user experience.
• Deep knowledge of building codes, ADA, fire life safety, zoning, and permitting across multiple jurisdictions.
• Fluency in AutoCAD, Revit, or equivalent software.
• Comfort with project management tools.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and vendors concurrently without losing track.
• Experience producing standards and playbooks for others to follow.

Nice To Haves

• Experience building design standards or prototypes for multi-location rollout is a big plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead site feasibility and pre-construction activities, including code analysis, zoning review, traffic and parking studies, test fits, and space programming to make go/no-go decisions on new sites.
• Develop the diligence playbook to streamline future site evaluations.
• Manage permitting across various jurisdictions, including building permits, fire life safety, ADA, zoning variances, and change of use.
• Oversee civil engineers, fire life safety specialists, and local architects of record on each project.
• Build relationships with code officials and inspectors in each city.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously across different stages without missing deadlines.
• Research and specify furniture, equipment, and branded materials for Primer campuses.
• Create a vendor list and product catalog for other teams to utilize.
• Identify value engineering opportunities that reduce costs without compromising the student experience.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level
• Education Level: No Education Listed