Senior Architect, Real Estate

Empire State Development; New York (NY); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive Benefits Package

Job summary

Empire State Development seeks a Senior Architect to lead the design vision for real estate projects in New York, ensuring public benefits align with housing and climate goals. You will work with project managers, agencies, and consultants to oversee feasibility, reviews, and code compliance.

The ideal candidate holds NY-licensed Architect or NY-licensed Professional Engineer, with at least five years in planning, design, and construction of diverse buildings, including mixed-use developments,

Qualifications

• Licensed NY Architect or NY Professional Engineer with relevant design experience.
• Minimum five years of professional experience in planning, design, and construction of diverse building types.
• Experience with master planning of mixed-use developments preferred.

Responsibilities

• Perform architectural feasibility studies to support preliminary financial analyses and project visioning.
• Coordinate with external design consultants on planning, infrastructure and decarbonization studies.
• Review site plans, incorporate stakeholder feedback, and provide technical guidance to internal teams.
• Ensure design documents comply with Design Guidelines and zoning/approvals processes.
• Manage design development with outside architectural firms and review RFP responses.
• Monitor code compliance through construction and coordinate with inspectors.

Skills

Architectural design understanding

Education

Registered Architect (New York)

Professional Engineer (New York)

Tools

AutoCAD

SketchUp

Adobe Creative Cloud

ArcGIS

Job description

• This position will require in-office presence. Hybrid work schedules may be possible based on specific job duties and consistent with ESD policy.
• Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Please contact Human Resources if you require an accommodation.

Description

The Senior Architect helps direct the design vision for Empire State Development (ESD) real estate projects. This role ensures that projects incorporate meaningful public benefits and align with New York State’s ambitious housing and climate agendas. The Senior Architect oversees project feasibility, conducts design reviews, manages legacy design modifications and monitors ongoing code compliance. This position requires close collaboration with ESD real estate project managers, technical staff, public agencies, and external consultants.

Work Performed

• Perform physical site visits and evaluations.
• Conduct architectural and spatial feasibility studies to support preliminary financial analyses, project visioning sessions, and interagency coordination.
• Select and manage external design consultants conducting planning, infrastructure, and decarbonization studies.
• Coordinate with consultants to develop master plans and design guidelines.
• Evaluate the preliminary feasibility of proposed projects by reviewing site plans, incorporating feedback from elected officials and public stakeholders, and providing technical guidance to internal ESD departments.
• Examine physical aspects of existing structures to identify viable reuses, necessary rehabilitation work, and associated architectural costs.
• Assist in drafting and evaluating architectural and design-related sections of Requests for Proposals (RFP’s).
• Assist in reviewing and scoring RFP responses for awarding ESD development.
• Coordinate with external architectural firms on design development and the drafting of Design Guidelines governing land use, bulk, massing, etc.
• Perform reviews to ensure design documents comply with established Design Guidelines before issuing zoning approval letters.
• Coordinate design requirements with environmental compliance measures.
• Review and approve required design changes during construction.
• Review architectural bulletins, proposed design modifications and change orders for ESD funded projects prior to agency approval.
• Manage contracted third-party code compliance inspectors.
• Establish and maintain comprehensive agency compliance files and official records.
• Review post construction for substantial completion and issue substantial completion letters.
• Prepare project schedule status updates, work-in progress reports, and ESD Board materials
• Conduct internal architectural research and studies to support agency initiatives.
• Review development proposals, legal agreements and consultant contracts.
• Review and approve architectural and technical consultant invoices.

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

Education Level Required: Must be a registered Architect (RA) licensed in the State of New York or a Professional Engineer licensed in the State of New York with relevant architectural design experience.

Relevant Experience required: A minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in planning, design, and construction of diverse building types (Including residential, commercial, and public assembly venues). Professional experience in master planning of mixed-use developments is preferred. In depth working knowledge of New York State and New York City building codes preferred. Strong familiarity with the New York City Zoning Resolution is highly preferred. Successful completion of the NYS Code Enforcement Official (CEO) training program administered by the New York State Department of State (DOS) Division of Code Enforcement and Administration preferred.

Knowledge Required: Ability to read, review, and comment on architectural design drawings, construction documents and specifications for public infrastructure, capital improvement and building projects. Broad working knowledge of structural design, construction methods/materials, building systems, specifications, and trade contracts. Familiarity with public bidding laws and public agency review processes. Experience with AutoCAD, SketchUP, Adobe Creative Cloud and ArcGIS are preferred.

Additional Comments

• Salary range as specified.
• Comprehensive Benefits Package.