Architect or Architectural Staff II
Northeast Sustainable Energy Association, Portland, Maine, us, 04122
Company
Kaplan Thompson Architects
Location Portland, ME
Overview Kaplan Thompson Architects is a Portland, Maine architecture firm prioritizing sustainability, creative design, and technical excellence for every project. We focus on single‑family homes (both new and renovations), multi‑family residential, educational, and non‑profit design projects. We are seeking an Architectural Designer with 5 to 8 years of professional experience; those with more experience are also encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity to get in the door with a design‑focused, mission‑based, award‑winning firm named to the Architect 50: Top 50 Firms in Sustainability in the U.S.
Work Arrangement We are seeking candidates who currently live or are willing to move within commuting distance of our office in Downtown Portland and are able to work in‑person for the first six months of employment. Once this training period concludes, we offer a flexible environment with options for both in‑person and hybrid work. Some members of our team maintain a permanent desk in the office, others take advantage of flex work‑stations for several days of in‑office time per week.
Compensation, Timing, And (Excellent) Benefits We offer competitive salaries in alignment with prescribed AIA rates at or near the top levels for the region.
3 weeks of paid vacation / personal / sick time annually to start.
100% medical coverage on Health Insurance.
100% coverage on Disability Insurance.
401K benefit plan with a 4% match of your salary. No waiting period.
10 paid holidays including 3 paid floating holidays.
Commuting stipend of $60/mo.
Bonuses distributed in accordance with hours worked and office success.
Up to $600 and two days annually for professional development.
Company‑paid training materials and reimbursement of ARE expenses for licensed candidates.
One paid Community Day and up to 24 matched hours for community service or industry engagement.
Equal Opportunity Kaplan Thompson Architects is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. We apply the same non‑discrimination requirements with respect to the treatment of our customers, vendors, and suppliers. We are proud to be the first architecture firm in Maine to have received the JUST label for a socially just and equitable organization.
Responsibilities Design Skill
Participate in conceptual design and provide full support throughout entire projects.
Coordinate project design, develop creative design concepts for projects, and prepare presentation and design drawings.
Technical Ability
Assist in preparing project specifications.
Provide specific technical design aspects of major projects, including BIM, investigation, evaluation, and recommendation of design solutions that best meet the client’s needs.
Carry out complex or novel assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures.
Coordinate with Principals and more experienced Architectural Staff on appropriate technical solutions and strategies.
Occasionally provide technical guidance to less experienced architectural staff.
Project Management
Have full responsibility for managing all aspects of small, simple projects with guidance from Principals and Senior Staff, including estimating scope of work.
Assist in preparing strategic plans for project success.
Monitor and assist in coordination of administrative and technical project efforts to ensure the most efficient and cost‑effective execution of assigned projects.
Actively monitor client budgets, schedules, and programs.
Assist in management of project communications and documentation.
Understand fee estimation, how to determine scope of work, and how to prepare proposals and contracts on simple projects.
Communication
Be relied upon to present directly to the client on technical and design solutions.
Provide management of project communications and documentation pending project‑specific role.
Teamwork
Work in a collaborative team structure with other architects and designers on single‑family and multi‑family residential projects, restaurants, and sustainability‑focused institutions.
Follow up with junior staff to see if they have any questions or when task load might be light.
Industry Awareness
Strive to incorporate sustainable solutions throughout your work.
Produce work that is consistent with the quality and design aesthetic of the firm, and the region.
Monitor activity in relevant industry organizations.
Self‑development
Proactively participate in office culture.
Strive for professional and personal development.
Participate in lead nurturing.
Culture relationships with clients and potential clients.
Champion one or more internal initiatives.
Introduce new initiatives that will benefit the organization.
Contribute to advancing the skills of others.
Business Development
Participate in lead nurturing.
Cultivate relationships with clients and potential clients.
Leadership
Champion one or more internal initiatives.
Introduce new initiatives that will benefit the organization.
Contribute to advancing the skills of others.
Qualifications Requirements BArch or BS in Architecture completed and 5+ years of experience, full competence in all conventional aspects of architecture, location within commuting distance of our office in Portland, and the ability to attend construction site visits within a 3‑hour range of Portland, regular in‑person client meetings, and in‑person office events. Access to the office requires climbing one flight of stairs. Construction Administration requires navigating job sites lacking accessibility features.
Preferred Architectural licensure.
Skills Required Excellent aesthetic and/or technical design skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, 3D drafting with BIM modeling experience, ability to delegate tasks to less experienced architectural staff.
Preferred Education/interest/experience in the field of sustainable design, experience with ArchiCAD, software proficiency with Mac, Microsoft Office, Gsuite, Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote or Powerpoint.
Expectations You bring
Affability and a positive attitude.
Joy and creativity to your projects and your workplace.
An emerging design vision, drive, and a deep belief in a more sustainable future.
The ability to push boundaries and think unconventionally.
You Embrace
Working independently and meeting timely goals.
Adaptability to work on multiple projects with changing project schedules.
Collaborating with other team members and external partners.
Active participation in the health and vibrancy of the business.
Maintaining rigor in quality of work and written communications.
You Are Comfortable With
A flexible environment with options for both in‑person and remote work.
An open, collaborative team approach and a collegial studio atmosphere.
Communicating when you see room for improvement and coming to the table with solutions.
You Can Expect From Us
The opportunity to work on high‑performance, net zero energy, Living Building Challenge, and Passive House projects, with all the rigors and joys they entail.
Professional development support and resources.
A portfolio of mission‑driven projects.
Compensation The expected starting range for this role, based on our 2026 salary bands, is $67,203 to $84,150 base salary for unlicensed professionals and $78,783 to $96,024 base salary for licensed professionals, plus benefits that equal a total compensation package in the range of $80,000 to $109,000. Role and compensation will be commensurate with experience and skill.
Timeline We will be gathering resumes for this position through mid‑March. Interviews with qualified candidates will be scheduled from mid‑March through mid‑April. We will be targeting a starting date for this role in early May.
To view some of our work and our philosophy, please view www.kaplanthompson.com.
Ready to join our firm? Please send a resume, brief cover letter, and examples of work to hiring@kaplanthompson.com. Our first test for consideration is rigorous: please also mention your most useless superpower in your initial response. No calls, thank you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Location Portland, ME
Overview Kaplan Thompson Architects is a Portland, Maine architecture firm prioritizing sustainability, creative design, and technical excellence for every project. We focus on single‑family homes (both new and renovations), multi‑family residential, educational, and non‑profit design projects. We are seeking an Architectural Designer with 5 to 8 years of professional experience; those with more experience are also encouraged to apply. This is a unique opportunity to get in the door with a design‑focused, mission‑based, award‑winning firm named to the Architect 50: Top 50 Firms in Sustainability in the U.S.
Work Arrangement We are seeking candidates who currently live or are willing to move within commuting distance of our office in Downtown Portland and are able to work in‑person for the first six months of employment. Once this training period concludes, we offer a flexible environment with options for both in‑person and hybrid work. Some members of our team maintain a permanent desk in the office, others take advantage of flex work‑stations for several days of in‑office time per week.
Compensation, Timing, And (Excellent) Benefits We offer competitive salaries in alignment with prescribed AIA rates at or near the top levels for the region.
3 weeks of paid vacation / personal / sick time annually to start.
100% medical coverage on Health Insurance.
100% coverage on Disability Insurance.
401K benefit plan with a 4% match of your salary. No waiting period.
10 paid holidays including 3 paid floating holidays.
Commuting stipend of $60/mo.
Bonuses distributed in accordance with hours worked and office success.
Up to $600 and two days annually for professional development.
Company‑paid training materials and reimbursement of ARE expenses for licensed candidates.
One paid Community Day and up to 24 matched hours for community service or industry engagement.
Equal Opportunity Kaplan Thompson Architects is an equal opportunity employer. Employment decisions are based on merit, qualifications, and abilities. We do not discriminate in employment opportunities or practices because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age or disability. We apply the same non‑discrimination requirements with respect to the treatment of our customers, vendors, and suppliers. We are proud to be the first architecture firm in Maine to have received the JUST label for a socially just and equitable organization.
Responsibilities Design Skill
Participate in conceptual design and provide full support throughout entire projects.
Coordinate project design, develop creative design concepts for projects, and prepare presentation and design drawings.
Technical Ability
Assist in preparing project specifications.
Provide specific technical design aspects of major projects, including BIM, investigation, evaluation, and recommendation of design solutions that best meet the client’s needs.
Carry out complex or novel assignments requiring the development of new or improved techniques and procedures.
Coordinate with Principals and more experienced Architectural Staff on appropriate technical solutions and strategies.
Occasionally provide technical guidance to less experienced architectural staff.
Project Management
Have full responsibility for managing all aspects of small, simple projects with guidance from Principals and Senior Staff, including estimating scope of work.
Assist in preparing strategic plans for project success.
Monitor and assist in coordination of administrative and technical project efforts to ensure the most efficient and cost‑effective execution of assigned projects.
Actively monitor client budgets, schedules, and programs.
Assist in management of project communications and documentation.
Understand fee estimation, how to determine scope of work, and how to prepare proposals and contracts on simple projects.
Communication
Be relied upon to present directly to the client on technical and design solutions.
Provide management of project communications and documentation pending project‑specific role.
Teamwork
Work in a collaborative team structure with other architects and designers on single‑family and multi‑family residential projects, restaurants, and sustainability‑focused institutions.
Follow up with junior staff to see if they have any questions or when task load might be light.
Industry Awareness
Strive to incorporate sustainable solutions throughout your work.
Produce work that is consistent with the quality and design aesthetic of the firm, and the region.
Monitor activity in relevant industry organizations.
Self‑development
Proactively participate in office culture.
Strive for professional and personal development.
Participate in lead nurturing.
Culture relationships with clients and potential clients.
Champion one or more internal initiatives.
Introduce new initiatives that will benefit the organization.
Contribute to advancing the skills of others.
Business Development
Participate in lead nurturing.
Cultivate relationships with clients and potential clients.
Leadership
Champion one or more internal initiatives.
Introduce new initiatives that will benefit the organization.
Contribute to advancing the skills of others.
Qualifications Requirements BArch or BS in Architecture completed and 5+ years of experience, full competence in all conventional aspects of architecture, location within commuting distance of our office in Portland, and the ability to attend construction site visits within a 3‑hour range of Portland, regular in‑person client meetings, and in‑person office events. Access to the office requires climbing one flight of stairs. Construction Administration requires navigating job sites lacking accessibility features.
Preferred Architectural licensure.
Skills Required Excellent aesthetic and/or technical design skills, strong written and verbal communication skills, 3D drafting with BIM modeling experience, ability to delegate tasks to less experienced architectural staff.
Preferred Education/interest/experience in the field of sustainable design, experience with ArchiCAD, software proficiency with Mac, Microsoft Office, Gsuite, Adobe Creative Suite, Keynote or Powerpoint.
Expectations You bring
Affability and a positive attitude.
Joy and creativity to your projects and your workplace.
An emerging design vision, drive, and a deep belief in a more sustainable future.
The ability to push boundaries and think unconventionally.
You Embrace
Working independently and meeting timely goals.
Adaptability to work on multiple projects with changing project schedules.
Collaborating with other team members and external partners.
Active participation in the health and vibrancy of the business.
Maintaining rigor in quality of work and written communications.
You Are Comfortable With
A flexible environment with options for both in‑person and remote work.
An open, collaborative team approach and a collegial studio atmosphere.
Communicating when you see room for improvement and coming to the table with solutions.
You Can Expect From Us
The opportunity to work on high‑performance, net zero energy, Living Building Challenge, and Passive House projects, with all the rigors and joys they entail.
Professional development support and resources.
A portfolio of mission‑driven projects.
Compensation The expected starting range for this role, based on our 2026 salary bands, is $67,203 to $84,150 base salary for unlicensed professionals and $78,783 to $96,024 base salary for licensed professionals, plus benefits that equal a total compensation package in the range of $80,000 to $109,000. Role and compensation will be commensurate with experience and skill.
Timeline We will be gathering resumes for this position through mid‑March. Interviews with qualified candidates will be scheduled from mid‑March through mid‑April. We will be targeting a starting date for this role in early May.
To view some of our work and our philosophy, please view www.kaplanthompson.com.
Ready to join our firm? Please send a resume, brief cover letter, and examples of work to hiring@kaplanthompson.com. Our first test for consideration is rigorous: please also mention your most useless superpower in your initial response. No calls, thank you.
#J-18808-Ljbffr