Senior Transit Facilities Architect 6

CDM Smith•Chicago, IL

2d•Hybrid

About The Position

We are seeking a Senior Transit Facilities Architect to lead the architectural design of complex transit infrastructure projects in the Chicago area—an exceptional opportunity for an architect passionate about shaping the future of urban transportation. This is a senior technical leadership role for an architect passionate about transportation who will serve as the technical authority for transit-related facilities, including passenger stations, maintenance and storage facilities, and other transit-support buildings. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering architectural designs from concept through construction, directing design teams, coordinating with multidisciplinary partners, and ensuring the delivery of permit- and construction-ready contract documents for active transit environments.

Requirements

10 years of related experience.
Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.
Must possess RA certification.
Technical knowledge and design application knowledge specific to transit facility design and transportation systems.
Expert knowledge of technologies and methodologies in the use of construction materials
Expert knowledge of Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), preferably AutoCAD and Revit
Familiarity with modeling and rendering software programs.
Expert knowledge of basic business office software (Word, Excel, etc.).
Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience working with public transportation agencies and urban municipalities.
Leadership experience on projects involving dense urban conditions, constrained sites, and active operations.
Experience developing: Project scopes of work and fee proposals. Construction plans, technical specifications, and cost estimates. Technical reports and design justification documentation.
Ability to assign work, provide daily technical direction, and mentor junior staff.
Experience providing day-to-day oversight of architectural or transportation facility design projects, including budget and schedule management.
Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a college degree.

Responsibilities

Serve as the technical lead and subject matter expert for transit facility architecture projects, leveraging deep knowledge of transportation systems and urban mobility solutions.
Lead architectural design from planning and concept development through final design and construction support.
Act as Architect of Record where required, including signing and sealing architectural documents.
Make and document key technical decisions, manage design risk, and uphold quality standards across projects.
Review and approve architectural drawings, technical calculations, specifications, and design deliverables.
Coordinate closely with engineering, systems, construction, and operations teams to deliver integrated solutions.
Work directly with public transit agencies, navigating agency standards, design review processes, and operational constraints while building relationships with key transportation industry stakeholders.
Support construction-phase activities in active operating transit environments, including design clarifications and field coordination.
Lead and manage architectural scope on projects with multiple interfaces, phased construction, and ongoing transit operations.
Apply sound judgment related to constructability, staging, maintenance, and lifecycle considerations.
Mentor and guide junior architectural staff, ensuring consistency in technical execution and professional development.
Contribute to proposal development, scope definition, and fee estimation for transit facility pursuits.
Serve as Project Technical Leader on select projects and proposals, driving the technical vision of the final deliverable.
Collaborate with project managers to manage scope, budgets, schedules, and staffing needs.