Airport Design Specialist

Calgary Airports • Calgary, AB

4d • Hybrid

About The Position

Planning Services shapes the long-term future of Calgary Airports by leading how our airport is planned, designed, and developed across airside, terminal, and landside areas. The team is responsible for creating and maintaining master plans and design standards that guide how spaces look, function, and evolve over time. This includes defining the design direction for key areas of the airport (such as terminal zones and passenger spaces), ensuring consistency in materials, finishes, and overall passenger experience, and supporting infrastructure projects from early planning through design. Working closely with internal teams and external consultants, Planning Services ensures every project aligns with Calgary Airports’ long-term vision, operational needs, regulatory requirements, and design standards.

Requirements

• Eligible to obtain and maintain a RAIC.
• Minimum 6–8 years of experience in architectural design, interior design, or design standards development within infrastructure or large-scale built environments.
• Degree in Architecture, Interior Design, Engineering, or a related built-environment discipline. Relevant professional experience may be considered in lieu of formal education.
• Experience working on airport, transportation, institutional, or large-scale public infrastructure projects, with involvement in design coordination, planning, or standards application.
• Demonstrated experience developing, maintaining, or applying design standards, thematic plans, or technical design guidelines.
• Proven experience reviewing architectural drawings, specifications, shop drawings, and material submissions for compliance with established standards.

Nice To Haves

• Bilingual in English and French

Responsibilities

• Lead the maintenance and evolution of Calgary Airports’ thematic plans, design standards, and technical specifications to ensure alignment with organizational goals and industry best practices.
• Own and advance thematic design initiatives (e.g., terminal zones, concourses, material and finishes standards), including ongoing updates and future fit-up or redesign projects.
• Review and evaluate project designs, drawings, specifications, and submissions (including shop drawings) to confirm compliance with established standards and provide technical feedback.
• Provide design governance and subject matter expertise during planning and early design phases to support risk identification and standards compliance.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external consultants to ensure alignment on design intent, standards interpretation, and implementation across projects.
• Participate in design coordination and site meetings to resolve design-related issues and support project delivery.
• Reinforce Calgary Airports’ spatial identity by providing guidance on materials, finishes, and user experience consistency across infrastructure projects.
• Manage and maintain material samples and technical reference documentation to support standards application and internal design governance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level