Construction Subject Matter Expert (SME)

Accela; United States; On-site; USD 102,000 - 138,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus target

Flexible time off

Health, dental, vision benefits

401(k) with company match

Job summary

Accela is seeking a Construction Subject Matter Expert to validate AI-driven plan review outputs against jurisdictional standards and real-world permitting workflows. The role requires deep experience in construction plan review, knowledge of building codes, and the ability to translate complex practices into validation logic.

You will review AI-generated comments, analyze discrepancies, and contribute to model improvements.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in construction plan review, permitting, or design (AEC).
• Strong knowledge of building codes and jurisdictional requirements.
• Experience reviewing construction drawings and specifications.
• Ability to translate real-world review practices into structured validation logic.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Strong written communication skills for documenting findings.
• Experience using electronic plan review platforms and permitting systems.

Responsibilities

• AI Output Validation & Testing across datasets and agency scenarios.
• Validate AI findings against code editions, amendments, and standards.
• Provide cross-disciplinary domain expertise for architectural, structural, and MEP reviews.
• Deliver iterative feedback to support model refinement and prompt improvements.
• Define validation criteria and success metrics for AI review results.
• Produce weekly findings summaries highlighting defects and gaps.
• Create and maintain plan review test scenarios with edge cases.

Skills

Plan review experience

Building code knowledge

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Written communication

Validation logic translation

QA/testing mindset

Education

Professional credentials

Tools

ePermitHub

Job description

Description

The Construction Subject Matter Expert (SME) will provide plan review expertise and validation services to support AI-driven plan review systems. This role ensures that AI-generated outputs align with jurisdictional standards, building codes, and real-world permitting workflows.

Key Responsibilities

• AI Output Validation & Testing
  • Test AI-generated plan review outputs for accuracy, completeness, and consistency
  • Execute hands‑on validation using sample datasets, sandbox environments, and real agency scenarios
  • Verify that AI-generated comments align with
    • Applicable jurisdictional standards
    • Relevant code references
    • Established plan review workflows
  • Validate AI findings against adopted code editions, local amendments, and agency‑specific review standards
• Domain Expertise & Issue Diagnosis
  • Provide cross‑disciplinary expertise spanning architectural, structural, and MEP reviews
  • Analyze discrepancies and determine root cause, including
    • AI model errors
    • Incorrect prompts or assumptions
    • Ambiguous, incomplete, or incorrect requirements
• Model Improvement & Feedback
  • Deliver structured, iterative feedback to support
    • Model refinement
    • Prompt engineering improvements
    • Rule and requirement clarity
  • Define validation criteria and success metrics for AI review results
• Reporting & Insights
  • Produce weekly findings summaries, including
    • Defect patterns and recurring issues
    • Missing conditions or validation gaps
    • False positives and false negatives
    • Actionable recommendations and suggestion logs for system improvement
• Test Case Development
  • Create and maintain plan review test scenarios.
  • Develop edge‑case and exception scenarios to evaluate AI performance.

Required Qualifications

• Strong experience in construction plan review, permitting, or design (AEC industry). Licensed Architect, Professional Engineer, ICC Certified Plans Examiner, State Certified Plans Examiner, Certified Building Official, or equivalent professional credential.
• Deep understanding of building codes and jurisdictional requirements
• Experience reviewing construction drawings and specifications
• Ability to translate real‑world review practices into structured validation logic
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving skills
• Strong written communication skills for documenting findings and recommendations
• Experience using electronic plan review platforms and permitting systems

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with permitting agencies or municipal plan review
• Exposure to AI/ML systems, automated review tools, or digital plan workflows
• Familiarity with IBC, IRC, FBC, or other U.S. building codes
• Experience in testing, QA, or validation workflows
• Experience with digital plan review platforms such as ePermitHub, or similar systems

Compensation and Well‑Being

The annual base salary range for this full‑time position is $120,000(less applicable taxes). The actual annual base salary offered may be adjusted based on a variety of factors, including but not limited to, location, education, skills, training, and experience. In addition to an annual base salary, this position is eligible for an annual bonus target. This is a discretionary bonus awarded based on company and individual goal achievement.

Accela’s U.S. team members will receive a generous benefits package consisting of options including flexible time off, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, family planning benefits, 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match, health savings account with company contributions, flexible spending account, life, accident, and disability coverage, business travel insurance, employee assistance programs, and other well‑being benefits.

Accela is an Equal Opportunity Employer/Affirmative Action Employer and will respond to requests for job accommodations.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, sex, color, religion, national origin, protected veteran status, or based on disability, gender identity, and sexual orientation.