Senior Architect

Overview

SSOE provides unparalleled opportunities for professional growth, offering the advantages typical of a large firm combined with the collaborative and supportive culture commonly associated with smaller organizations. We prioritize an employee-centric atmosphere that fosters a healthy work-life balance, exceptional benefits, and a commitment to continuous learning.

SSOE is seeking a talented and experienced Senior Project Architect with strong project management experience to join our growing Architectural practice group. This opportunity is ideal for a registered architect who combines design and technical expertise with the ability to guide projects, lead multidisciplinary teams, and build lasting client relationships.

You will play a pivotal role in designing and delivering projects within the higher education, healthcare, governmental, workplace, and general commercial markets. Working closely with clients, architects, engineers, designers, and specialty consultants, you will guide projects from concept through completion, ensuring architectural quality, regulatory compliance, and successful delivery on schedule and within budget.

In this role, you will combine hands-on architectural leadership with responsibility for project planning, team coordination, client communication, and financial performance. Your expertise will help shape innovative and practical solutions while supporting the professional development of team members and the continued growth of our practice.

AI and Innovation

At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

Responsibilities

What You'll Do

• Architectural & Multidisciplinary Leadership: Lead architectural design and project delivery for higher education, K-12, healthcare, governmental, and commercial projects from concept through completion. Direct multidisciplinary teams of architects, engineers, and specialty consultants to ensure fully coordinated, practical solutions.
• Scope, Work Planning & Resourcing: Establish project work plans, schedules, budgets, and discipline task assignments in coordination with department managers. Oversee architectural production staffing and resource forecasting in Vantagepoint across multiple concurrent projects.
• Financial Performance & Project Controls: Drive project financial health and milestone adherence by tracking labor hours, fee performance, and construction cost estimates. Implement corrective actions when necessary and review and approve client billings.
• Client & Stakeholder Management: Act as a primary client point of contact, leading project meetings, communicating expectations to team disciplines, and presenting design concepts and milestones to key stakeholders.
• Proposals & Business Development: Partner with leadership and marketing to prepare fee proposals, negotiate client agreements, coordinate outside consultant contracts, and participate in project interviews.
• Code Compliance & Quality Assurance: Conduct comprehensive code analyses and oversee regulatory conformance throughout design. Lead and participate in peer reviews to uphold rigorous architectural standards and ensure constructible, well-coordinated documents.
• Change Management: Administer change management procedures to track scope variations promptly and secure timely authorization for additional services and change orders.
• Field Verification & Construction Support: Conduct site walks and field verifications to integrate existing conditions into design deliverables. Resolve field challenges during construction and interface with regulatory and inspection authorities.
• Team Mentorship: Provide ongoing mentorship and training to junior staff and project architects, fostering technical growth and adherence to SSOE and client-specific standards.

Qualifications

What You’ll Bring

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Architecture from an accredited architectural program.
• A Registered Architect (RA) license in good standing with 10+ years of relevant experience.
• Demonstrated project management experience guiding architectural projects from concept through completion, including responsibility for scope, schedules, budgets, and multidisciplinary coordination.
• Proven ability to lead project teams and manage the workload and resource needs of multiple projects of varying complexity.
• Ability to effectively manage the financial aspects of projects, including fee development, resource planning, budget monitoring, billing review, and change management.
• Strong client relationship, communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to communicate design concepts and project requirements to clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Proven experience in code analysis and understanding of building codes and regulations, including egress, fire-resistant assemblies, occupancy, and building types.
• Proficiency in relevant design software and tools, such as Revit and AutoCAD.
• Experience performing field verifications and site walks to identify, verify, resolve, and incorporate solutions into design packages. Ability to troubleshoot design problems in the field.
• Ability to guide and mentor architectural team members.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Ability to travel locally and regionally for site visits, client meetings, and construction administration as project requirements dictate.
• A valid driver's license. May be waived for international assignments.

What We’ll Bring

• Work-life balance and flexibility: We support our team members with generous paid time off, paid company holidays, and flexible work arrangements designed to help you balance professional commitments with personal life.
• Professional growth and leadership ownership: We provide structured mentorship, continuing education support, licensure assistance, and defined career ladders at every level.
• Technology investment and digital delivery: We equip our teams with cutting-edge design tools, advanced BIM/VDC workflows, and collaborative platforms that foster innovation and streamline project execution.
• An award-winning, people-first culture: Recognized for our commitment to employee satisfaction, we foster an inclusive and safety-driven environment where individual contributions are recognized and rewarded.
• Salary Range: $110,000 - $130,000/year depending on location, education, depth of relevant experience, and any specialized licensure/certifications. Opportunity for ample rewards and generous bonus opportunities.
• Benefits: Includes comprehensive health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401K retirement savings plan (with company matching), opportunities for professional development and training (including support for relevant licensure & certifications), and generous PTO & paid holidays.