Develop your craft. Do great work.
We are an award-winning, people-based architecture practice with capabilities in multiple sectors, including residential, hospitality and commercial across the Bay Area and beyond.
Our goal is excellence in all aspects of architectural work, including our workplace culture.
When we hire, we look for people who are motivated, adaptable, and growth-oriented, aspiring to do the best work of their career.
We believe investing in the professional growth and personal well-being of our people not only helps them connect meaningfully with their work but enhances the quality of our architecture.
Our business runs on the creative energy of our people. We actively support our people in finding balance between the demands of work and life. That’s why we offer generous personal time off and regularly encourage it. It’s all part of our commitment to fostering a creative work environment.
We also believe in communicating with transparency. Throughout the year, we share and discuss our firm’s goals and objectives, business plan, and company financials.
We’ve been serving clients for over 25 years and are excited for the future. We’re always looking for bright, motivated people to join our team to create architecture that makes the world a better place.
SF Business Times: Best Places to Work
Built as a people-based practice, we were the only architecture firm to place consecutively in the last five years on the San Francisco Business Times Best Places to Work List.
Benefits
We offer competitive salaries, full benefits, a transit-friendly workplace, and opportunities for professional growth.
Competitive Compensation
- Competitive salaries based on experience
- 401K retirement plan
- Bonuses
- Profit Sharing (401K)
Flexible Workspace
- Hybrid work schedule
- Combined PTO
- 9 paid holidays
- 25 remote days a year
- Summer hours
Wellness
- 100% employer sponsored health, dental, vision & life insurance
- Ergonomic sit/stand workstations
- In-house bike parking and shower
Professional Development
- Robust in-house mentorship program
- Annual professional development stipend
- Architectural licensure support – AXP & ARE
- Frequent tech upgrades
Community Engagement
- Employer-sponsored charitable activities
- Arch Camp initiative for local high school students
- Volunteer events
Team Building and Perks
- Quarterly office outings
- Weekly happy hours
- Commuter benefits
- Retail discount program
Current Openings
- Job Captain - Hospitality Studio QSR Focus
William Duff Architects (WDA) is seeking a Job Captain with strong technical and documentation experience to support a growing portfolio of elevated Quick Service Restaurant (QSR) projects in the Pacific Northwest and nationally.
We are an award-winning, people-first architecture firm known for thoughtful, well-crafted design across residential, hospitality, retail, and commercial work. Our studio is collaborative, design-driven, and grounded in the belief that architecture should elevate everyday experience.
This is a remote-friendly, U.S.-based role, with occasional travel for site visits and project meetings (typically once per month or less).
About the Role
You will play an important role in supporting projects and teams through design, documentation, coordination, and construction, working closely with team leaders, clients, and consultants in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Key Responsibilities
Project Development, Coordination and Documentation
- Produce coordinated, high-quality construction documents
- Develop design, architectural details and drawing packages in collaboration with project architects and project managers
- Conduct and support building systems coordination and product research
- Conduct and support code analysis, permitting, and agency coordination.
Construction Administration Support
- Support construction through RFIs, submittals, documentation updates and site visits
- Support the team efforts to ensure design intent is carried through in the field
Team Collaboration
- Communicate effectively with internal team, external parties and clients.
- Mentor team members and contribute to WDA’s collaborative studio culture
Qualifications
- 4-8+ years of professional architectural experience
- Experience with hospitality, retail and restaurant projects. Experience delivering QSR restaurant projects a plus
- Experience with all project phases and construction documentation
- Familiarity with building codes and permitting processes
- Highly proficient in Revit, with experience in producing visualizations.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and Bluebeam.
You bring:
- A thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to design and execution
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
Education
Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Architecture from a four-year college, university, or equivalent; or five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Location
This role is remote-friendly within the U.S., with occasional travel (~1x/month or less).
Bay Area-based team members have access to a hybrid work environment and remote flexibility.
Compensation
Base compensation is based on experience, qualifications, and skillset.
Base compensation range: $80,000 to $125,000 (San Francisco Bay Area). Compensation for roles filled outside this area may vary by location, labor costs, and market conditions.
Please submit the following in PDF form by email (less than 4MB):
- Resume
- A cover letter articulating why you could be a good fit at WDA, and a bit about your personal inspirations and aspirations
- Relevant work samples (required for design positions only)
- References
- How you heard about WDA
No drop-in visits or phone calls, please. WDA is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer
(AA/EOE). Candidates must be eligible to work full time in the United States. Immigration or work visa sponsorship will not be provided.
Protect our team, protect our community: WDA requires our team members to be fully vaccinated (up-to-date) against COVID-19. If you are hired, vaccination verification documents will be required to complete the hiring process successfully.
Apply Now- Designer - 1 to 5+ Years Experience
William Duff Architects (WDA) is seeking a Designer with 1 to 5+ years of experience to join our firm. We are looking for someone who enjoys learning, embraces a good challenge and thrives in a collaborative, friendly and creative environment.
We are an award-winning, people-first architecture firm known for thoughtful, well-crafted design across residential, hospitality, retail, and commercial work. Our studio is collaborative, design-driven, and grounded in the belief that architecture should elevate everyday experience.
About the Role
You will play an important role in supporting projects and teams through design, documentation, coordination, and construction, working closely with team leaders, clients, and consultants in a fast-paced, collaborative environment.
Key Responsibilities
Project Development, Coordination and Documentation
- Produce coordinated, high-quality construction documents
- Develop design, architectural details and drawing packages in collaboration with job captains, project architects and project managers
- Develop visualizations, and presentation with the project team
- Conduct and support document coordination and product research
- Support code analysis, permitting, and agency coordination
Construction Administration Support
- Support construction through RFIs, submittals, documentation updates and site visits
- Support the team’s efforts to ensure design intent is carried through in the field
Team Collaboration
- Communicate effectively with internal team, external parties and clients
- Contribute to internal design and coordination discussions and contribute to WDA’s collaborative studio culture
Qualifications
- 1-5+ years of professional architectural experience
- Proficient in Revit, with experience in producing visualizations preferred
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, MS Office, Adobe Creative Suite, and Bluebeam
- Strong writing, editing, organizational, and verbal communication skills
- Interest in green building technologies, products, and net-zero design strategies
You bring:
- A thoughtful, detail-oriented approach to design and execution
- Strong communication and collaboration skills
- A proactive, solutions-focused mindset
Education:
Bachelor’s degree (B.A.) in Architecture from a four-year college, university, or equivalent; or five years related experience and/or training; or equivalent combination of education and experience.
Location
Bay Area-based team members have access to a hybrid work environment and remote flexibility.
Compensation:
Base compensation is based on experience, qualifications, and skillset.
Base compensation range: $71,000 to $90,000 (San Francisco Bay Area).
Please submit the following in PDF form by email (less than 4MB):
- Resume
- A cover letter articulating why you could be a good fit at WDA, and a bit about your personal inspirations and aspirations
- Relevant work samples (required for design positions only)
- References
- How you heard about WDA
No drop-in visits or phone calls, please. WDA is an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer
(AA/EOE). Candidates must be eligible to work full time in the United States. Immigration or work visa sponsorship will not be provided.
Protect our team, protect our community: WDA requires our team members to be fully vaccinated (up-to-date) against COVID-19. If you are hired, vaccination verification documents will be required to complete the hiring process successfully.
Apply Now