Project Architectural Designer

About the role

Most designers spend years executing someone else's prototype. This role puts you in the room where the prototype gets built. You'll own restaurant projects from first test fit through construction documents, work directly with hands-on founders, and see your decisions show up in every new location as the brand scales to 50 to 100 openings a year. As the team grows, so does this role, with a clear path to leading a design team.

The company is a fast casual restaurant group with a strong and growing footprint across multiple states, known for fresh, house made food prepared daily. Every location is company owned, and the business is in a high growth phase with national expansion ahead. The culture is collaborative, face to face, and high performing, with an ownership mindset expected from everyone.

Responsibilities

As the Architectural Project Designer, you will lead restaurant design projects from concept through construction documentation, balancing brand vision, operational needs, budgets, and construction realities. Most projects involve adapting existing and repurposed buildings, with some new construction, so strong space planning and problem solving are essential.

• Lead restaurant design projects from initial concept through construction documentation
• Review as built drawings and adapt designs to fit existing spaces
• Create and refine test fits, site plans, floor plans, elevations, and layouts
• Prepare presentations for city and design review committees
• Coordinate with architects of record, engineers, consultants, and internal stakeholders
• Support entitlement, zoning, design review, and permitting processes
• Review construction documents, RFIs, submittals, and design packages
• Refine finishes, lighting, signage, millwork, and interior environments
• Manage design schedules, deliverables, and consultant coordination
• Partner with Operations, Marketing, Construction, Facilities, and Executive Leadership
• Continuously improve and evolve the restaurant prototype to support future growth

Requirements

• 6+ years in architecture, interior architecture, or restaurant, hospitality, or retail design
• Commercial project experience; multi unit brand rollouts or prototype development strongly preferred
• Strong experience developing test fits, floor plans, elevations, and construction documentation
• Working knowledge of zoning, entitlement, permitting, and building codes
• A track record of owning projects independently from start to finish
• Ability to manage multiple projects at once with exceptional communication and organization

Skills

• Proficiency in AutoCAD required; Revit preferred
• Experience with SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite, Bluebeam, and Procore a plus
• Comfort discussing design vision with executives and technical details with contractors and engineers
• Familiarity with AI tools is a plus

Pay

$65,000 to $95,000, depending on experience

Schedule

Sandy, Utah; 100% in‑office