Architectural Designer

Principal - Yes Community Architects - MBE - SBE - DBE - Berkeley Zoning Board Location: Bay Area, CA Type: Salary, Full-time in person position

Yes Community Architects (YCA) is a Bay Area-born design firm dedicated to social justice through design. With a focus on community‑serving design, YCA approaches design as activism—advocating for community‑centered solutions and inclusive engagement, especially for marginalized and historically disenfranchised groups. YCA’s projects—from prefabricated workforce housing to hi‑rise student housing to transit‑oriented communities—all emphasize collaboration, climate‑conscious design, and community empowerment, while leveraging state pro‑housing legislation to {@_maximize_} impact.

As a Designer II, you will co‑lead projects from initial concept through completion, ensuring design excellence and alignment with project goals. You will oversee drawing development and coordinate with consultants and contractors. We’re seeking a skilled, compassionate professional who is committed to creating accessible, affordable spaces and who brings expertise in sustainable and socially impactful design. Design skills are paramount. You will also help us develop new AI tools and use innovative ways to communicate ideas.

The ability to work with a core design vision is also essential.

• Help develop new tools using AI for our practice (e.g., Gemini, Chat GPT, Sora, Claude, Vibe‑Coding, etc.)
• Grow our firm's knowledge community:
  Universal Design, Sustainability, Trauma‑Informed Design, Mass Timber, Modular and other essential innovations transforming our industry.
• Lead specific drawing packages (e.g., interiors, unit plans, elevations, details).
• Coordinate with collaborating architecture firms and consultants and integrate feedback.
• Attend client or consultant meetings with senior staff.
• Conduct site surveys or existing condition documentation.
• Support project scheduling and team communication tools (e.g., Slack, Google, Zoom).

• Approx. 3+ years of professional experience, with a strong portfolio of housing or community‑based projects.
• Solid Revit skills. Knowledge of ADA, CBC and zoning.
• Excellent leadership, project management and interpersonal skills.
• A commitment to social justice, sustainability and housing for all.
• Knowledge of the process and purpose of zoning, building codes and planning, with experience navigating permitting and approvals in the Bay Area is a plus.

• A beautiful, sunny loft office facing Strawberry Creek Park reiterated.
• Opportunities to be deeply creative on socially impactful projects large and small.
• Mentorship and professional development in mixed‑use housing and community‑driven design.
• A healthy office culture:
  Community events, volunteering, site visits and potlucks that nurture our local team.
• Competitive pay, benefits and opportunities for growth within the firm.

Seniority level:
Mid‑Senior level

Employment type:

Full‑time

Job function:
Design, Art/Creative and Information Technology

Industries:
Architecture and Planning

Yes Community Architects is a small, mighty firm at Strawberry Creek Park in Berkeley. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, disability or age, and we encourage applicants that are typically under‑represented in the design and architecture fields to apply.

Interested applicants please email the following to admin@otá

• 1) Brief Letter of interest
• 2) Resume