Senior Architect - Rail & Transit Facilities

Parsons; Toronto; On-site; CAD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Parsons is seeking a Senior Architect to support and grow our Canada Rail & Transit business. The role focuses on station design, maintenance and storage facilities, rail and bus depots, and zero-emission bus facilities, with proven leadership in project delivery and pursuit support.

You will lead transit facility projects across Canada, coordinating with multidisciplinary teams to deliver design excellence and compliant, safe infrastructure for clients in the public transportation sector.

Qualifications

• Professionally accredited architecture degree (CACB) or equivalent.

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of transit facility projects from planning to construction support.
• Act as Architectural Lead and coordinate with civil, structural, MEP, systems, rail, operations, safety, and sustainability teams.
• Engage with clients and stakeholders; lead workshops, reviews, and value engineering.
• Support pursuits, proposals, schedules, and fee development with Parsons leadership.

Skills

Project leadership

Multi-disciplinary coordination

Business development

Client/stakeholder engagement

Education

Architecture degree CACB-accredited

Tools

Revit

AutoCAD

Navisworks

SketchUp

MicroStation

Job description

In a world of possibilities, pursue one with endless opportunities. Imagine Next! At Parsons, you can imagine a career where you thrive, work with exceptional people, and be yourself. Guided by our leadership vision of valuing people, embracing agility, and fostering growth, we cultivate an innovative culture that empowers you to achieve your full potential. Unleash your talent and redefine what's possible.

Job Description:

Senior Architect - Rail & Transit Facilities

Parsons is seeking an experienced Architect to support and grow our Canada Rail & Transit business. This role is ideal for a senior architect with deep expertise in station design, maintenance and storage facilities, rail and bus depots, and zero-emission bus (ZEB) facilities, along with proven leadership in project delivery and pursuit support.

Our Rail & Transit portfolio across Canada includes new station design, station upgrades, rail depot design, bus depot design, and related systems/infrastructure integration. In addition to leading the execution of active projects, you will help expand our facilities practice by supporting pursuits and working closely with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver excellence for our clients.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Design Leadership

Lead all phases of transit facility projects (planning/feasibility, concept, schematic, detailed design, and construction support) ensuring delivery meets scope, schedule, budget, and quality expectations. Serve as Architectural Lead and/or Project Manager for complex transit facilities and coordinating architectural designs with civil, structural, MEP, systems, rail, operations, safety, and sustainability requirements.

Client Leadership & Stakeholder Management

Act as a primary point of contact for clients and stakeholders, maintaining trusted relationships and responding effectively to feedback. Lead and participate in workshops, design reviews, value engineering, and stakeholder engagement activities (owners, operators, municipalities, Indigenous communities where applicable, constructors, and third parties).

Business Development & Market Growth

Identify, qualify, and support pursuits across Canada including:

• Maintenance & Storage Facilities
• Zero-Emission Bus Facilities (charging infrastructure integration and facility impacts)
• Transit Stations and Station Upgrades

Contribute to proposals, interviews, technical approaches, schedules, resourcing plans, and fee development in coordination with Parsons leadership.

Quality, Standards & Digital Delivery

Champion design quality management and best practices, ensuring deliverables meet Parsons and client standards, applicable Codes, and authority requirements. Lead BIM strategy and execution (model-based coordination, clash detection, workflows, and BIM execution planning).

Team Leadership

Help build, mentor, and develop high-performing teams. Provide technical direction, coaching, and review of deliverables. Support hiring, resourcing, and capability development to help grow Parsons' transit facilities architecture practice in Canada.

Required Qualifications

• Professionally degree in Architecture accredited by the Canadian Architectural Certification Board (CACB) or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Registered Architect with a Canadian provincial association (e.g., the OAA, AAA, AIBC, MAA, etc.).
• 20+ years of progressively responsible experience delivering transit/transportation facilities such as stations, depots, maintenance facilities, operations buildings, and/or intermodal facilities.
• Demonstrated leadership coordinating with multi-disciplinary teams to deliver projects from feasibility/concept design and throughout the various phases of detailed design and construction support/contract administration.
• Strong knowledge of Canadian Building Codes, accessibility requirements, and life-safety principles as applied to complex public/infrastructure facilities.
• Proven experience with alternative delivery models (e.g., Design-Build, P3, Alliance/CM) including architect responsibilities during procurement and construction.
• Business development experience supporting pursuits (proposal writing, technical leadership, interviews, and client strategy).

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with ZEB facilities, charging infrastructure interface impacts, and facility planning for electrification.
• Strong proficiency in BIM and design tools such as Revit, AutoCAD, Navisworks, and related coordination tools and workflows. Familiarity with SketchUp and MicroStation is an asset.
• Experience developing BIM Execution Plans, digital QA/QC processes, and model-based coordination practices across disciplines.
• Familiarity with transit agency standards and stakeholder approvals typical for large public infrastructure programs/projects

This position is part of our Critical Infrastructure team.