Project Technical Lead
Related AIA Position: Project Manager
Guides the technical execution of projects and upholds the firm’s documentation standards. Provides expertise in constructability, code compliance, detailing, and quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC). Serves as a technical guide and reviewer for multiple project teams, partnering with Project Managers (PMs), Project Architects (PAs), and the Owner/Architect to ensure project deliverables are accurate, coordinated, and buildable.
Related AIA Position Description: Coordinates technical project efforts to ensure effective execution and prepare strategic plans. Estimates scope of work and overseas less experienced technical staff. Handles the most complex projects of the
largest magnitude. Responsible for coordination of all technical project efforts, to ensure the most efficient and cost-effective execution of assigned projects. Prepares strategic plans for project success. Provides oversight and monitoring of work of less experienced technical leads. Acts in a team leader capacity in the absence of the Project Manager.
Compensation Alignment: Baseline compensation for this position will be aligned to the salaries listed for the Project Manager position defined by the AIA Compensation Report for the California Region. Baseline salary ranges will be updated in alignment with the publication of this report. Final compensation for each employee will be determined based on skillset alignment with the position as described below as determined by the Studio Directors and Principal Architects. This is an exempt position as defined by the state of California.
Supervision Hierarchy: Senior PTL → Master Tech Lead → Technical Director → Managing Partners
Position Responsibilities:
- Serve as a project’s technical manager, partnering with PMs/PAs to drive technical quality and consistency.
- Ensure design intent is incorporated into detailed documentation and properly executed through all phases (SD, DD, CD, CA).
- Teach junior staff and recent graduates through redlines, desk critiques, training sessions, and standards development; help grow technical capability.
- QA/QC reviews of drawing sets and specifications; identify coordination gaps, technical risks, and constructability concerns early.
- Enforces project-specific documentation standards, detailing conventions, and technical best practices.
- Develop and review complex architectural details and assemblies (e.g., envelope, waterproofing, accessibility, and life-safety interfaces).
- Review documents for code compliance in all phases and provide code interpretations (CBC, ADA, and where applicable DSA/CDE processes).
- Coordinate technical integration of consultant work (structural, civil, MEP, fire protection, etc.) and resolve design/coordination conflicts.
- Support plan check and agency review responses; provide technical input to address comments efficiently and accurately.
- Support construction administration by reviewing RFIs, submittals, and shop drawings; provide technically sound recommendations and redlines.
- As needed to conduct or attend site visits/observations as needed to verify field conditions, support issue resolution, and inform documentation improvements.
- Support the completeness and coordination of specifications in collaboration with the design team and/or spec consultant.
- Contribute to the development and maintenance of office technical resources (details library, QA/QC checklists, and Revit/documentation standards).
- Escalate technical risks or quality concerns to Sr. Technical Lead/Studio Directors/Principals with proposed solutions and clear recommendations.
- Thorough review and annotation of drawings and specifications for projects related, but not limited to, new school campuses, campus modernizations, new construction projects, and land use / site development work.
- Assist the team reviewing client deliverables utilizing Bluebeam, Adobe Creative Suite, Microsoft Office Suite & Outlook, Sketch-Up, Revit, and AutoCAD.
Position Qualifications:
- Five or more years of professional experience, including technical leadership and/or documentation responsibility.
- Licensure by the California Architects Board preferred but not required.
- Degree from a NAAB-Accredited Architecture Programs is preferred but not required.
- Proficient knowledge of Architectural detailing and construction standards.
- Extensive knowledge of construction detailing, construction, constructability, and architectural standards of care.
- Extensive working knowledge of applicable codes and processes (including CBC, ADA, and where applicable DSA/CDE).
- Proficient with Revit, AutoCAD, and Microsoft Office Suite & Outlook; able to guide teams in efficient production workflows.
- Ability to professionally communicate verbally and in writing; strong emphasis on clear documentation, redlines, and technical guidance.
- Demonstrated ability to coach and mentor team members; provides performance-enhancing feedback and supports technical growth.
- Organized with strong attention to detail, follow-through, and the ability to prioritize across multiple concurrent projects.
- Collaborative mindset; works effectively with PMs/PAs, principals, consultants, contractors, and reviewing agencies.