Senior Architect
GFT
A complete application in a minute
Tailored resume and cover letter, ready to send.
Benefits offered by this job
Job summary
GFT is seeking a Senior Architect in Chicago for a hybrid role highly focused on design excellence and technical detailing. You will lead interdisciplinary teams, prepare documents, and ensure compliance with codes and standards across diverse projects.
The ideal candidate holds a US licensed architecture credential, a Master as applicable, and advanced skills in AutoCAD and Revit, with a proven track record in design, coordination, and client engagement.
Qualifications
- Bachelor or Master of Architecture degree required.
- Licensed/Registered Architect in the United States.
- Proficient in AutoCAD and Revit for design and construction documentation.
- Strong design, graphic skills, and creativity.
- Effective communication with team, clients, and regulatory officials.
- Proficient with Microsoft Office and Adobe Suite or Bluebeam Revu.
- Knowledge of building materials and building codes including IBC, NFPA, ADA, and LEED.
Responsibilities
- Lead interdisciplinary collaboration with engineering, construction management, and consultants to deliver successful projects.
- Oversee project deliverables, schedules, and budgets while maintaining alignment with client goals and standards.
- Manage client engagements through meetings, workshops, and presentations to advance project objectives.
- Direct the preparation of architectural documents, drawings, specifications, and reports across project phases.
- Coordinate with clients, consultants, vendors, and contractors to address challenges and advance project intent.
- Provide guidance on material selection, systems, and sustainable strategies balancing performance, cost, and constructability.
- Review codes and regulatory requirements and integrate them throughout the project lifecycle.
- Prepare and present materials for stakeholder, regulatory, and public approvals.
- Lead technical detailing to strengthen clarity and constructability.
- Conduct quality assurance reviews for consistency and accuracy.
- Review shop drawings, submittals, and RFIs to confirm alignment with requirements.
- Perform site visits and field observations, generating reports on progress and compliance.
- Collaborate with Project Managers and Principals to align execution with firm goals and client expectations.
- Mentor peers in design excellence, detailing, process, and technical integration.
Skills
Education
Tools
Job description
GFT is seeking a talented Senior Architect to grow our team in Chicago. This role follows a hybrid work model, requiring regular attendance at our Chicago office.
At GFT, our architecture team is at the forefront of innovative design, shaping inspirational, sustainable, and aesthetically striking structures that stand the test of time. Collaborating with a diverse group of industry experts and our in-house engineering teams, our architects leverage advanced technologies and creative solutions to deliver exceptional projects that positively impact and reshape communities. Explore some of our signature architecture projects.
As an architect, you play a key role in the design development of a diverse range of project types, including but not limited to commercial, institutional, federal, transportation, and utility sectors. You contribute to both the creative and technical aspects of design, translating conceptual ideas into cohesive architectural solutions. Responsibilities include applying standard architectural principles, techniques, and procedures to support and advance the overall design vision, with a focus on spatial planning, aesthetics, and functional performance.
- Leading interdisciplinary collaboration with engineering, construction management, and specialty consultants to deliver successful projects.
- Overseeing project deliverables, schedules, and budgets while maintaining alignment with client goals and organizational standards.
- Managing client engagement through meetings, workshops, and presentations to advance project objectives and strategies.
- Directing the preparation of architectural documents, including drawings, specifications, and reports, to support all project phases.
- Coordinating with clients, consultants, vendors, and contractors to address challenges and advance project intent.
- Providing guidance on material selection, systems, and sustainable strategies that balance performance, cost, and constructability.
- Reviewing codes and regulatory requirements and integrating them throughout the project lifecycle.
- Preparing and presenting materials for stakeholder, regulatory, and public approval processes.
- Leading technical detailing efforts to strengthen clarity, constructability, and building performance.
- Conducting quality assurance reviews to maintain consistency, accuracy, and adherence to best practices.
- Reviewing shop drawings, submittals, and RFIs to confirm alignment with project requirements and intent.
- Performing site visits and field observations, generating reports to track construction progress and compliance.
- Collaborating with Project Managers and Principals to align project execution with firm-wide goals and client expectations.
- Mentoring peers in areas of design excellence, detailing, project process, and technical integration.
- Bachelor’s degree in architecture or a Master of Architecture degree is required.
- Licensed /Registered Architect in the United States
- High proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit with experience in both design and construction documentation is required.
- Ideal candidate must be dynamic, creative, and detail oriented with strong design and graphic skills.
- Must be effective at communicating with team members, clients, and regulatory officials.
- Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Suite or Bluebeam Revu.
- Proficient knowledge of building materials and building codes or standards is required, including current International Building Codes, NFPA, ADA, and LEED.
- Must be able to work effectively in large team environments for multiple projects and independently on smaller assigned tasks.
- Bachelor’s degree in architecture or a Master of Architecture degree is required.
- Licensed /Registered Architect in the United States
- High proficiency in AutoCAD and Revit with experience in both design and construction documentation is required.
- Ideal candidate must be dynamic, creative, and detail oriented with strong design and graphic skills.
- Must be effective at communicating with team members, clients, and regulatory officials.
- Must be proficient with Microsoft Office Suite, and Adobe Suite or Bluebeam Revu.
- Proficient knowledge of building materials and building codes or standards is required, including current International Building Codes, NFPA, ADA, and LEED.
- Must be able to work effectively in large team environments for multiple projects and independently on smaller assigned tasks.
- Advanced knowledge of Revit with experience serving as a project BIM lead, including model setup, family creation, and team coordination.
- Experience developing high-quality architectural details and technical documentation that support design intent, constructability, and building performance.
- Familiarity with BIM 360, Autodesk Construction Cloud, Navisworks, or related model coordination platforms.
- Experience mentoring staff in Revit workflows, documentation standards, and detailing best practices.
The salary range for this role is $125,000 - $160,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.
GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™ is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
GFT does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
8:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Full-Time
Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
-Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
'/%3e%3cpath%20d='M101.744%2012.4726L102.894%2016.1947L99.0021%2013.2201L101.744%2012.4726ZM105.3%208.40937H100.488L99.0026%203.59473L97.5116%208.41047L92.7%208.40385L96.5965%2011.3834L95.1055%2016.1942L99.0021%2013.2196L101.408%2011.3834L105.3%208.40992V8.40937Z'%20fill='white'/%3e%3cdefs%3e%3clinearGradient%20id='paint0_linear_5593_1381'%20x1='90'%20y1='9.44471'%20x2='99'%20y2='9.44471'%20gradientUnits='userSpaceOnUse'%3e%3cstop%20stop-color='%2300AD70'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='0.998594'%20stop-color='%2300B67A'/%3e%3cstop%20offset='1'%20stop-color='%23DCDCE6'/%3e%3c/linearGradient%3e%3c/defs%3e%3c/svg%3e){kind=small}
