Senior Landscape Designer – Design & Drafting Lead
Calimingo Pools | Southern California | Full-Time
About Us
Calimingo Pools designs and builds custom luxury pools and outdoor living spaces across Southern California, with a current footprint spanning from the Mexican border to Santa Barbara, to the desert, and everything in between. Every project starts on paper, and our plans set the tone for everything that follows in the field. We're looking for a senior design leader who takes pride in creating plan sets that are as beautiful as the backyards we build.
The Role
You'll lead our landscape architecture and drafting team. You'll produce and oversee complete plan sets for city permits, HOA approvals, and field construction. You'll set the drafting standard for the company, train and mentor our designers, and review every set before it goes out. The goal is fewer city corrections, fewer questions from the field, and plans anyone can pick up and understand.
What You'll Do
- Produce complete pool and outdoor living plan sets. Draw every detail: pool layout, plumbing runs and equipment locations, runoff and area drain lines, and gas and plumbing stub-outs for BBQs, outdoor kitchens, and fireplaces.
- Detail the hardscape precisely. This includes coping and countertop overhangs and cantilevers, step and bench details, raised walls, water features, and material transitions, so field crews can build without guessing.
- Lead and mentor the design team. Teach our drafting standards and review work at every stage. Manage the team's project workload so every set meets Calimingo's quality bar and deadlines.
- Quality-check plans before submission. Review every set against city, county, and HOA requirements before it's submitted, so we get plans approved the first time as often as possible.
- Handle permitting and HOA approvals. Prepare HOA submittal packages. Pull permits with city building departments and HOAs, and work directly with plan checkers to resolve comments.
- Set the visual standard. Create clean, uncluttered drawings. Use line weights, opacities, layering, and callout placement thoughtfully so plans are easy to read and look professional.
- Bring creative design input. Help shape layouts, select materials, and develop design concepts that make each project unique.
What We're Looking For
- 7+ years of experience in landscape architecture, pool design, or residential outdoor construction drafting, with at least 2 years leading or mentoring others
- Expert-level AutoCAD (or equivalent CAD platform) skills. Experience with SketchUp, Pool Studio / Structure Studios, Photoshop, or rendering software is a plus.
- Deep working knowledge of residential permit requirements in Southern California, including pool, grading/drainage, gas, and barrier/safety requirements
- A proven track record of plan sets approved with minimal corrections
- Experience preparing HOA submittals and pulling permits
- A strong eye for drafting aesthetics: clean line work, intentional use of opacities and hatching, and organized callouts
- Ability to explain technical standards clearly and train others to meet them
- Highly organized, able to manage multiple projects and a team's workload at once
Big Pluses
- Strong material knowledge: natural stone, pavers, tile, plaster and pebble finishes, and how they work together in a design
- Planting design experience: plant and tree selection, planting plans, irrigation, and familiarity with California water-efficient landscape (MWELO) requirements
- A creative, design-forward mindset. You love making spaces look incredible, not just correct.
- Licensed Landscape Architect (California)
Why Calimingo
- Lead the design standard for a growing luxury builder
- Work on high-end, creative custom projects
- Room to grow as we expand into new markets
- Competitive pay $100,000 to $200,000+ depending on talent & skill
- 401k
- Health Insurance
TO APPLY, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR RESUME AND A PORTFOLIO THAT INCLUDES EXAMPLES OF YOUR WORK
Job Type: Full-time
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Work Location: On the road