Sr Architect

The Walt Disney Company•Anaheim, CA

1d•$117,000 - $143,000•Onsite

About The Position

Architecture & Facilities Engineering (A&FE) is seeking a Senior Architect to join the core team supporting the Disneyland Resort as an Owner’s Representative across a diverse portfolio of properties in Anaheim, California. A&FE is the trusted steward of the Disneyland Resort’s physical environment, upholding safety, technical integrity, and design excellence while enabling the business to grow, evolve, and succeed. Serving as the Owner’s Representative on projects throughout the Resort, our multidisciplinary team of architects and engineers is embedded in each project from concept through implementation — defining operational needs, establishing technical and design requirements, and protecting Disney’s long-term interests, while guiding decisions on safety, compliance, quality, maintainability, cost, schedule, and the guest and cast experience. Drawing on technical expertise, code knowledge, lessons learned, and Resort-specific operational experience, A&FE identifies risks and resolves complex issues to keep projects moving forward safely. As a Senior Architect, you will own that mission across a portfolio of concurrent projects, exercising independent judgment as you lead assigned work from concept through closeout, review technical detailing, confirm code compliance, and plan construction phasing. You will report to the Architecture Manager – Project s.

Requirements

8+ years of professional architectural experience with a strong, demonstrated foundation of technical knowledge.
Strong problem-solving skills, with the resourcefulness to research and resolve questions independently.
Developing expertise in code interpretation and practical application.
Demonstrated ability to lead individual projects, including complex, multi-discipline scopes.
Bachelor's or Master's degree in Architecture from an NAAB-accredited program.
Active Architectural License in the State of California.
Working knowledge of California codes, health and safety regulations, and construction practices.
Demonstrated experience with permitting and inspections involving AHJs.

Nice To Haves

Experience working in complex, operationally active environments.
Familiarity with large, multi-stakeholder organizations and fast-track project delivery.
Experience developing construction phasing strategies in occupied facilities.
Experience with AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and ACC/BIM 360.
Mechanical, Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) coordination experience.

Responsibilities

Manage medium to large-size projects as the Owner's Representative, from concept through construction and closeout.
Take full ownership of assigned projects from concept through closeout, escalating only decisions with resort-wide or budget-defining impact.
Define operational and technical requirements, constraints, and design goals that require deep visibility into the Resort environment.
Support a diverse portfolio spanning immersive attraction buildings, themed retail, destination hotels, restaurants, offices, entertainment facilities, and backstage infrastructure.
Coordinate all disciplines across concurrent projects, partnering with Disney Project Managers and internal stakeholders.
Manage and direct external Architects, Engineers, consultants, and contractors to ensure alignment with project scope, schedule, budget, and Disney standards.
Provide hands-on design management by reviewing outside work and helping outside firms navigate Resort-specific complexity.
Develop project scopes of work and prepare Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for external design and consulting services.
Lead project design reviews at key milestones to ensure compliance with Disney design guidelines, standards, and master specifications.
Plan construction phasing and packaging that allows complex work to happen safely around Resort guests and operations.
Produce and own the time estimate for the Architecture team's effort on assigned projects, from concept through closeout, and reconcile actual hours against that estimate as the project proceeds.
Sequence and prioritize your own portfolio of concurrent projects.
Develop varied architectural project work at all stages of assigned projects from concept, feasibility, schematic design, design development, construction drawings and construction administration, turnover and project closeout.
Perform technical tasks and documentation, including base sheets, construction details, plans/sections/elevations, design drafting, 3D visualization, and general project coordination for any in-house performed project.
Maintain a strong working knowledge of the California Building Code (CBC), accessibility and fire-life-safety regulations, and Cal/OSHA requirements.
Set code strategy for assigned projects — including design packaging, construction phasing, alternate means and methods, Requests for Modification, and TCO’s — and represent those projects directly to City of Anaheim plan reviewers.
Evaluate egress and permitting requirements as part of code compliance review.
Support Construction Administration, including coordination with Architects of Record (AOR), Engineers of Record (EOR), and General Contractors, and resolution of RFIs and submittals.
Act as technical resource for less experienced Architects; mentor early career Architects, Facility Designers and interns on code application, project leadership, and design approach, sharing lessons learned from your own projects.