Project Architect - General Construction

Collective/Great States • Fargo, ND

1d • $90,000 • Hybrid

About The Position

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.

Requirements

• 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.
• Revit and AutoCAD proficiency required — must be able to produce production-level documents independently.
• Bluebeam Revu for markups, submittal review, and document control.
• Strong time management and multi-tasking abilities across concurrent project phases.
• Team-oriented with a commitment to design quality, constructability, and professional growth.

Nice To Haves

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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, submittits, shop drawings, field conditions, proposed changes, and coordination conflicts as needed.
• 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.

Benefits

• 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

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior