Design Director - Residential

This is more than a job—it’s a chance to take ownership of design at the highest level, and to grow a portfolio of work that reflects your talent and vision in the Residential community. If you're ready for a role that offers leadership, creativity, and opportunity in equal measure, we’d love to connect.

This role offers a unique opportunity to define, elevate, and lead innovative residential design across builder communities including single family, townhomes, condominiums—bringing these ideas to life for our clients and the residents they serve. You’ll thrive in a supportive, collaborative culture that values design excellence and people-first leadership.

At DAHLIN, as award winning architects, planners and interior designers, we believe that great design starts with great leadership. We’re seeking a bold, experienced DESIGN DIRECTOR to take charge of our Residential portfolio—leading with creativity, innovation, technical knowledge, and a deep understanding of how homes shape lives and communities.

This is a hybrid position, requiring a minimum of 3 days per week onsite at our San Diego, CA office as well as travel to other company locations.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Lead design innovation across a range of residential typologies.
• Present directly to clients and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with project managers, architects, and consultants to coordinate solutions and strategies.
• Champion the firm’s design approach while inspiring, mentoring, and developing staff.
• Ensure designs not only meet but exceed client expectations, resulting from meaningful design solutions that drive value and successful outcomes.

WHAT YOU WILL BRING

• A strong portfolio of residential work, demonstrating success across a wide variety of residential project types.
• Exceptional design sensibility, innovation, and technical knowledge.
• Excellent communicator and collaborator who thrives in a team environment.
• Able to manage multiple concurrent projects and lead design teams effectively.
• Problem solving skills from a community/site planning and home design standpoint.
• Recognized industry leader.

YOUR QUALIFICATIONS

• 12+ years of relevant experience.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an NAAB-accredited program.
• Strong commitment to professional growth—for yourself and others.
• Must be legally authorized to work for any employer in the United States without any restrictions. Please note that visa sponsorship is not offered for this position.

We offer a competitive compensation package based on experience and qualifications. Excellent benefits include medical, dental, and vision coverage. We also offer the opportunity to participate in a pre-tax Flexible Spending plan, Employee Stock Ownership Plan, and 401k.

Salary range: $130,000 -$150,000 depending on qualifications. Placement within this pay range will be determined by factors such as education, qualifications, project complexity and/or experience. The maximum is reserved for candidates who currently meet all job requirements. We believe in the importance of pay equity and consider internal equity of our current team members as part of any final offer.

DAHLIN is an award-winning architecture, planning and interior design firm with 190+ multi-cultural professionals located throughout the Western United States. We offer more than 45 years of experience building communities where we live and work, driven by the vision of creating places that promote h