Monsen Collins Builders is a Saratoga-based design-build custom home builder and remodeling contractor that has served the greater San Francisco Bay Area — including Saratoga, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Palo Alto, and Cupertino — since 2000. We take on a small number of homes at a time so an owner is on every job, guided by a commitment to collaboration, transparency, and accountability in everything we build, from custom homes and ADUs to remodels and additions.
The Architect/Interior Designer will play a key role in shaping the design and interior finish of our residential projects — custom homes, ADUs, remodels, and additions across the Bay Area. You'll lead design from early concept through construction documents, select materials and finishes, and work closely with clients, our construction team, and outside consultants to keep every project on track. This role requires strong design and technical skills, clear communication, and the ability to balance client vision with real-world budgets, codes, and job sites.
What You'll Do
- Lead architectural design and interior design for custom residential projects, ADUs, and remodel/addition work, from initial client meetings through schematic design, design development, and construction documents.
- Develop floor plans, elevations, sections, and details that are buildable, code-compliant, and true to the client's brief and budget.
- Select and specify interior finishes, fixtures, cabinetry, lighting, and materials, and build out FF&E packages where scope calls for it.
- Prepare and coordinate permit sets for Bay Area jurisdictions, including Title 24 energy compliance, and manage the entitlement and permitting process with local planning and building departments.
- Work side-by-side with our construction and project management teams throughout the build, resolving design questions and field conditions as they come up.
- Coordinate with structural engineers, civil engineers, Title 24 consultants, and other outside specialists as needed.
- Present design concepts and options directly to clients, and manage their expectations around scope, budget, and schedule.
- Maintain a working knowledge of current Bay Area residential codes, ADU regulations, and jurisdiction-specific requirements across the counties we build in.
- Help build and maintain internal design standards, detail libraries, and preferred vendor/material relationships as the in-house design function matures.
What You Bring
Required
- Professional degree in Architecture, Interior Design, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in residential architecture and/or interior design, with direct experience on custom homes, ADUs, or remodel/addition projects.
- Working knowledge of California residential building codes, Title 24, and local Bay Area permitting processes.
- Proficiency in Revit, AutoCAD, or Chief Architect, plus SketchUp and Adobe Creative Suite (or equivalent).
- Ability to produce complete, buildable construction document sets.
- Strong client-facing communication skills — comfortable presenting and defending design decisions directly to homeowners.
- Willingness to visit job sites regularly across the Bay Area.
Preferred
- California architectural license, or active pursuit of licensure (AXP/ARE), or NCIDQ certification.
- Prior experience working in-house for a builder or design-build firm, rather than a standalone design studio.
- Familiarity with ADU-specific programs and streamlined permitting paths in Bay Area jurisdictions.
- Experience with sustainable/high-performance building practices.
What We Offer
- Competitive salary, commensurate with experience (see range above)
- Health, dental, and vision insurance
- Paid time off and holidays
- 401(k) (add match details if applicable)
- The chance to see your designs built, not shelved — short feedback loop between drawing and framing
- (Add any additional benefits: vehicle allowance, professional dues/licensing support, continuing education, bonus structure, etc.)
Location & Work Arrangement
Based in the Bay Area, with regular travel to job sites and client meetings across the region. Our office is located near downtown Saratoga.
Pay: $110,000.00 - $130,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Dental insurance
- Flexible schedule
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: In person
