Lerch Bates Inc. is hiring: Design Studio Architect in Baltimore

Design Studio Architect

Join Lerch Bates Inc. as a licensed Architect focused on building envelope, enclosure design, and building science consulting. The role requires expertise in restoration, new construction, and high‑performance building enclosures.

Base Pay Range

$87,000.00/yr – $100,000.00/yr

Company Insight

Lerch Bates is a global multidisciplinary technical consultancy that helps clients design, modernize, investigate, and manage buildings. From risk to ROI and sustainability, the firm offers integrated specialties such as vertical transportation, logistics, enclosures & structures, forensics, and multidisciplinary building lifecycle services.

What You’ll Do

• Meet with internal Consultants at the commencement of each internal design project to set design scope, schedule, and budget, and provide guidance on project design decisions.
• Independently schedule, coordinate, manage, complete, and deliver each assigned design project.
• For Design‑Studio‑lead projects, independently manage and deliver entire projects from initiation to completion, engaging and collaborating with other internal team members.
• Plan, develop, and deliver biddable, constructable, Building‑Code‑compliant Drawing and Specifications packages for every design project, using AutoCAD for drawings and Word for specifications.
• Conduct Building Code research for individual project jurisdictions using web‑based building code libraries.
• Complete product research and selection in connection with design work, communicating with product representatives and manufacturers.
• Independently interact directly with Clients, presenting design work, soliciting decisions, guiding discussions, resolving challenges, and coordinating schedules and scopes.
• Provide quality‑control reviews of design work at every design deliverable milestone.
• Independently apply advanced architectural concepts in the development of design work.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to less experienced Design Studio staff and to internal Consultants.
• Seek additional technical certifications and training relevant to enclosure design and building science, applying this knowledge to projects.
• Assist with post‑project performance analysis and workflow/ process improvements.
• Assist with the development and refinement of the firm’s technical detail and specifications libraries.
• Assist with managing, coordinating, and completing all day‑to‑day services of the Design Studio, delivering high‑quality, timely services and deliverables.
• Assist with developing budget goals, defining design scopes, scheduling and managing work, completing drawing reviews, delivering design project deliverables, and performing various architectural service tasks.
• Assist with revenue‑driving goals such as project priming opportunities, new construction design review requirements, feasibility studies, code consulting, building science consulting, property condition assessments, and other architectural services as the Design Studio expands.
• Spend approximately 80% of time on billable tasks in coordination with project assignments, and 20% on representing the company’s interests in business development efforts.

What You’ll Bring

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture or Architectural Engineering.
• 5 to 8 years of professional experience in architectural design, technical detailing, and design project management, with direct experience in developing construction documents and a solid understanding of the design process (Schematic Design through Construction Administration). Additional experience in construction or building enclosure investigations is a plus.
• Valid driver’s license and an acceptable Motor Vehicle Report.
• Licensed Architect preferred; candidates actively on the path to licensure and enrolled in NCARB’s AXP program will be considered.
• Additional industry‑specific certifications (RRO, AABA, AAMA, IIBEC, AWS, ACI, ICRI, SWRI, AIA, etc.) are a plus.
• Intermediate or better skills in accounting software, Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, SharePoint, Outlook), and web‑based applications and databases.
• Be a self‑starter with the ability to build relationships.
• Professional writing skills to complete proposals, reports, and correspondence.
• Ability to coordinate one’s own and others’ actions, lead employees and subcontractors across organizational levels, and take ownership of work outcomes.
• Work independently in a fast‑paced environment, detail‑oriented and organized, managing many projects simultaneously.
• Fluent in AutoCAD and Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge and experience in field inspection are a plus.
• LEED, Passive House, Green Globes, WELL, or other sustainable design accreditations related to building enclosure are a plus.
• Must be comfortable visiting active construction sites, including limited ladder and scaffolding climbing.

Why work with Lerch Bates?

• Competitive Compensation
• Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance
• Employee Stock Ownership program
• Generous PTO
• Incentive compensation bonus
• 401(k) with up to 6% employer match
• FSA and HSA
• Charitable paid time off
• Birthday Bonus
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Learning and Development
• Dedicated internal department for learning and career development
• Exceptional company culture
• Employee resource groups
• Team building and networking activities
• And more!

Be more than just an employee…

Lerch Bates is 100% employee‑owned. Our employee‑owners bring a distinct “we own what we do” brand of technical consulting to every project. Expect responsibility, service, and performance in everything we do. After a certain service time, you become eligible for stock ownership—an additional wealth accumulation and retirement vehicle.

CORE Values

Ownership • Community • Integrity • Respect • Optimism

Physical Demands

This role requires regular sitting, talking, and hearing in meetings and by phone. Employees must navigate tight spaces, climb ladders, move around construction sites, take measurements, and travel by car, air, or rail. Duties may involve working at heights and in confined spaces, using hands for tasks like typing and operating elevator components, and applying up to 30 lbs of force. Close visual attention is also required.

Mental Demands

This position requires strong written and verbal communication, problem‑solving, and analytical skills. Employees must interpret complex information, apply mathematical and logical reasoning, quickly learn new skills, and manage detailed, multitask workloads under shifting deadlines, frequently interacting with executives, colleagues, clients, and external stakeholders.

Employment is contingent upon successful completion of a pre‑employment background check and drug test. The drug test includes screening for marijuana, regardless of state or local laws permitting its use. A conditional offer of employment will be rescinded if a candidate fails either the background check or the drug test. This requirement is mandated by federal regulations applicable to our government contracting obligations.

We are an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, marital status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Seniority Level

Mid‑Senior level

Employment Type

Full‑time

Job Function

Design, Consulting, and Project Management

Industries

Construction and Building Construction