Lead Architectural Designer

This Opportunity

WSP, an award-winning and innovative multi-disciplinary firm, is currently seeking a Lead Architect / Architectural Designer to join the Industrial Center of our Property and Buildings team. This individual can sit in Boise, Minneapolis or our Atlanta office.

As part of our growing organization committed to solving complex challenges and exceeding client expectations, you will contribute technical expertise throughout multiple phases of project development, including planning, concept design, construction documentation, and implementation. Working alongside experienced architects, engineers, and project managers, you will help develop functional and sustainable building solutions for both public and private sector clients.

In this role, you will assist with project visualization and contribute to the preparation of design proposals, drawings, and construction documents. You will produce clear and accurate design documentation, renderings, installation methods, feasibility, and construction technologies. All work is expected to meet established standards for design quality, safety, structural integrity, and occupancy requirements.

Your Impact

• Prepare detailed drawings showing both the external and internal appearance and structure of building projects.
• Determine well-defined methods for collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, surveys, blueprints, GIS data, subsurface utility information, maps, environmental data, historical use, and other matrices for project development, design, and construction.   
• Perform professional architectural work and conduct research and inspections of proposed and existing site conditions, resources, building, infrastructure, and transportation channels to determine conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction or operating permits.
• Develop building construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates; updating design plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Develop or incorporate advanced modeling techniques, concept development, design requirements, and operating strategies to account for the safety and functionality of occupants and end-users; incorporating future-ready solutions with architectural design standards.
• Work as an individual or as part of a cross-functional team of engineers, architects, planners, and scientific professionals to execute project work on multiple concurrent projects, assist with laying out structure installations, establishing reference points to guide construction, selecting appropriate materials to ensure durability, calculating costs and quantities of material/equipment/labor, establishing project timelines,  and ensuring project work conforms with specifications, permit applications, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Verify the characteristics of a site and structure, providing technical guidance on securing structural soundness from loads and pressures caused by environmental or human influence.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, accurate reports, artistic sketches, renderings, calculations, and 2D/3D illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses.
• Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurements, illustrations, and documentation.
• Assist with development and scoping of medium-sized projects.
• Provide guidance and training to entry-level architects.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address timeline, design, and/or construction issues, problems, and opportunities.
• Conduct research to gain further information on a particular design and construction issue and to assess feasibility, environmental impact, and action plans for mid-level or more involved risk mitigation activities.
• Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data obtained during site investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.
• Comply with regulatory requirements pertaining to the data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, and record compliance and retention.
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
• Remain current in latest architectural techniques and practices.
• Work collaboratively with other engineers, professionals, subcontractors, and building authorities on Federal, State, regional, local, and privately funded building, infrastructure, and development projects.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Architecture, or equivalent experience required
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience in the learned discipline.
• Proficient knowledge of architectural principles, practices, process, and the application to project work-related issues. 
• Experience with building planning, drawing standards, design, and construction management; including active involvement in a variety of restorative and new design projects.
• Strong creative, visualization, and technical drawing skills.
• Working knowledge with process and concepts for sustainability, green building design, and reducing and eliminating the use or generation of hazardous substances/greenhouse gas.
• Working knowledge of relevant building and construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Ability to make technical computations, renderings, and calculations involving the application of architectural principles; understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons and illustrations to the appropriate regulations. 
• Project management experience with small to mid-level projects including tracking hours and expenses for project work.
• Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of buildings, facilities, or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies. 
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Highly capable self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., MicroStation, AutoCAD, REVIT, SketchUp, Adobe Creative Suite), technology, math principles, graphics, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from data collation, feedback, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Ability to assertively direct others in the field such as subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree is preferred. 
• Essential Professional Licensure/Certification.

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