Principal Architect

SYSTRA UK & Ireland; Reading; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

SYSTRA UK & Ireland is seeking a Principal Architect to lead projects across the transportation sector, focusing on rail stations, depots, and airports. The role, based in Reading or other locations, calls for a Chartered Architect with a strong track record in design and delivery.

Responsibilities include leading design teams, managing resources, and ensuring project delivery according to timelines and budgets. The ideal candidate will possess strong skills in Autodesk Revit and BIM processes, along with robust knowledge of design principles.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in the creative design process throughout RIBA work stages.
• Proven experience in producing design deliverables for complex infrastructure projects.
• Excellent report and case study writing skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strong project leadership and accountability for design deliverables.
• Manage design teams and coordinate tasks to meet client requirements.
• Prepare feasibility studies and manage projects from conception to completion.

Skills

Chartered Architect (ARB & RIBA Registered)

BIM modelling principles

Autodesk Revit

Adobe Photoshop

Microsoft Office Suite

Construction principles and standards

Education

Chartered Architect

Tools

Autodesk Revit

Bentley software (AECOsim)

Job description

Around the world, SYSTRA’s specialists plan, design, integrate, test, commission, project manage and deliver mass transit and mobility solutions that are relied on by more than 50 million people every day.

For more than 60 years, the Group has been committed to helping cities and regions contribute to their development by creating, improving, and modernizing their transport infrastructure with sustainability, accessibility, and innovation at the heart of our designs. With over 10,300 colleagues globally and around 1000 in the UK & Ireland we are growing significantly and seeking out the best talent to join the SYSTRA signature team and be part of leading the way in infrastructure design.

Context

SYSTRA are immediately hiring for a Principal Architect, based in our London, Birmingham or Reading offices. Following the successful award of multiple landmark international projects, this is an exciting time to join SYSTRA’s Architecture Team as we continue to develop and raise our profile in the UK & Ireland and across our global business regions. With a focus on delivering across the Built Environment specifically in Rail Sector (Stations and Depots), Airport Sector, Energy Sectors & Masterplanning the RIBA Chartered Practice within SYSTRA benefits from being an integral discipline to this world leading multi-disciplinary design consultancy.

Missions / Main Duties

A Duties:

• Provide strong, pro‑active project leadership.
• Responsible and accountable for the production of designs and all associated deliverables (drawings, reports, schedules, and calculations).
• Take responsibility for allocated tasks and coordinate supporting staff as required.
• Direct and manage in-house architectural designers/technicians, other design disciplines, and Architectural Partners to meet client and business requirements.
• Liaise with architectural and wider multi‑discipline colleagues to produce organised, collaborative built‑environment design solutions.
• Manage design input from Architectural partners and Sub‑contractors/consultants.
• Responsible for taking projects from conception to completion, covering preparation of feasibility studies, development of outline designs, detailed design, and site support.
• Assist in managing resources to achieve the agreed targets regarding the effective delivery of projects to current engineering and safety standards, within agreed timescales and budgets.
• Provide technical assistance to site‑based personnel.
• Review tender opportunities with view to bidding, preparation of deliverables, cost estimates, programme and multi‑disciplinary collaboration requirements.

Profile / Skills

• Chartered Architect (ARB & RIBA Registered) with significant subsequent experience and an excellent understanding of the creative design process throughout the RIBA work stages.
• Proven experience in production of design deliverables for complex infrastructure projects, ideally in transportation.
• Detailed understanding of BIM modelling principles as an Experienced / Accredited user in Autodesk Revit at a minimum.
• Knowledge of Adobe Photoshop / InDesign to produce quality graphical presentations.
• Excellent report and case study writing skills.
• Expected to have general skills in Microsoft Office suite of software packages.
• Robust knowledge of design and construction principles and standards.
• Pro‑active solution‑oriented approach.
• Be able to communicate with tact and diplomacy.
• Motivated team player who works well under pressure and engages with colleagues.

Desirable Skills & Experience (not Essential)

• Knowledge and experience of working on international design projects, particularly the Middle East.
• Experience in the use of Bentley software (AECOsim). Experience of using common data environments (CDE) for Design Consultant/Contractor/Client file sharing.