Job description
A growing luxury custom home builder and artisan millwork company serving Southwest Michigan's Lake Michigan corridor, is seeking a Lead Carpenter - Luxury Custom Homes & Remodels to join their field team. This is a hands-on role for an accomplished residential carpenter who takes tremendous pride in their craft but also brings the judgment, organization, and leadership skills to independently own work in the field.
You'll work on distinctive custom homes and sophisticated renovations where details matter, tackling high-level carpentry while helping keep jobsites organized, productive, and moving in the right direction. This is an excellent opportunity for a craftsman who wants to stay hands-on while earning the trust and responsibility that comes with being one of the strongest people in the field.
What You'll Do as the Lead Carpenter:
• Perform high-quality carpentry across luxury custom homes and sophisticated residential renovations
• Take ownership of challenging carpentry work from layout and preparation through installation and final detail
• Read and interpret architectural drawings, construction documents, specifications, and detailed plans
• Execute work accurately in environments where tolerances, finishes, alignment, and visual details matter
• Handle a variety of custom carpentry needs rather than relying on repetitive production methods
• Identify field conditions, constructability issues, missing information, and potential conflicts before they affect subsequent work
• Think several steps ahead and understand how your work impacts other trades and later phases of construction
• Work independently and productively without requiring constant direction from a Project Manager
• Plan your work, anticipate material and tool requirements, and communicate needs before they become jobsite delays
• Coordinate effectively with Project Managers, other carpenters, subcontractors, vendors, and specialty trades
• Help maintain clean, professional, organized jobsites appropriate for high-end residential clients
• Communicate field conditions, progress, questions, and potential issues clearly to the Project Manager and internal team
• Provide direction and support to other field personnel when needed
• Help troubleshoot unexpected conditions and develop practical solutions without compromising craftsmanship or design intent
• Interact professionally with homeowners, architects, designers, and other project stakeholders when appropriate
• Step into additional jobsite leadership responsibilities when needed to keep work organized and moving forward
Must-Haves as the Lead Carpenter:
• Significant hands-on residential carpentry experience
• Meaningful experience working on custom homes, high-end renovations, architectural residential projects, or comparable detail-driven construction
• Advanced carpentry skills with the ability to independently execute sophisticated residential work
• Strong understanding of residential construction methods, sequencing, materials, and building practices
• Ability to accurately read and work from architectural drawings, plans, details, and specifications
• Exceptional attention to detail and a genuine commitment to craftsmanship
• Ability to recognize when something is wrong before simply proceeding with the work
• Strong layout, measurement, problem-solving, and field troubleshooting skills
• Ability to plan and execute your own work without constant supervision
• Strong sense of accountability, urgency, and follow-through
• Ability to communicate effectively with Project Managers, coworkers, subcontractors, and other trades
• Professional demeanor appropriate for occupied homes and high-end residential clients
• Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative field team
• Willingness to take ownership beyond your immediate task when the jobsite needs leadership
• Ability to work onsite throughout Southwest Michigan and the Harbor Country/Lake Michigan corridor
Nice-to-Haves as the Lead Carpenter:
• Luxury custom home construction experience
• High-end finish carpentry experience
• Architectural millwork and custom cabinetry experience
• Experience with complex residential renovations
• Experience working on waterfront, second-home, or architect-designed residential projects
• Broad carpentry background spanning framing, exterior details, interior finish work, trim, cabinetry, and punch work
• Previous Lead Carpenter, Foreman, Working Foreman, or Crew Lead experience
• Experience directing other carpenters or coordinating subcontractors in the field
• Ability to temporarily take greater ownership of jobsite coordination when a Project Manager is unavailable
• Familiarity with Southwest Michigan, Northwest Indiana, Harbor Country, or the broader Michiana construction market
The Company Offers:
• $25-$45 per hour, depending on experience and overall skill level
• Flexibility above the stated range for an exceptional candidate who brings an advanced combination of craftsmanship, versatility, independence, and field leadership
• Year-end bonus opportunity
• 10 days of PTO to start, with flexibility based on candidate experience
• 7 paid holidays
• Field-based position with technology and equipment provided to help you remain productive onsite
• Dedicated in-office estimating support and an established Project Management structure, allowing field personnel to stay focused on execution and craftsmanship
• Opportunity to work on distinctive luxury custom homes and high-end renovations throughout Southwest Michigan
• Focused custom project environment rather than high-volume production construction
• Variety of challenging work that allows experienced craftspeople to use a broad skill set
• Access to an artisan millwork and cabinetry operation that places craftsmanship at the center of the business
• Join a growing, approximately 12-person company with significant upcoming project activity
• Collaborative, family-oriented environment built around good people, craftsmanship, communication, and teamwork
• High level of trust and autonomy for experienced professionals who demonstrate strong judgment
• Opportunity to take on greater field leadership and responsibility without having to give up hands-on craftsmanship