Senior Architect/Spec Writer

STV Incorporated; New York (NY); On-site; USD 150,000 - 171,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) Plan

Paid Time Off

Job summary

STV Incorporated seeks an experienced Senior Architect / Architectural Spec Writer with about 15 years of experience. You will develop, coordinate, and QA architectural specifications across diverse building projects, ensuring alignment with design intent and codes.

You will collaborate with project teams through schematic design to construction documents, maintain specification standards, and support QA/QC processes while staying current with codes and construction tech.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of experience as an Architectural Specifications Writer or Technical Architect with a strong specifications focus.
• Proficiency with CSI MasterFormat, SectionFormat, and PageFormat.
• Experience preparing specifications using industry-standard tools (e.g., BSD SpecLink, MasterSpec, or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of building materials, assemblies, performance criteria, and construction methods.
• Familiarity with major building codes (IBC, ADA, applicable local codes) and sustainability frameworks (LEED preferred but not required).
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Responsibilities

• Prepare, edit, and maintain architectural specifications (Divisions 00 and 01, and Divisions 02-49 as applicable) for projects across multiple building types and delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build.
• Coordinate specifications with drawings to ensure consistency, accuracy, and constructability.
• Collaborate with architectural and engineering teams during all project phases, from schematic design through construction documentation.
• Review consultant specifications for coordination, compliance, and integration into the overall project manual.
• Maintain firm specification standards, guide specifications, and master sections; contribute to updates related to codes, sustainability requirements, and industry best practices.
• Research materials, assemblies and products in support of use on specific projects as well as for general potential use on future projects.
• Support QA/QC reviews of construction documents to reduce risk, resolve conflicts, and improve document clarity.
• Respond to contractor RFIs related to specifications and assist with addenda, substitutions, and change documentation as needed.
• Stay current with building codes, material standards, and emerging construction technologies.

Skills

Specification writing

BIM workflows

Revit coordination

Documentation management

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

BSD SpecLink

MasterSpec

CSI MasterFormat

Revit

Job description

We are seeking an experienced Senior Architect / Architectural Spec Writer with approximately 15 years of professional experience to support the development, coordination, and quality control of architectural documents, and in particular specifications, across a diverse portfolio of building projects. The ideal candidate will work closely with project architects, engineers, and consultants to ensure that technical specifications align with design intent, design drawings, and applicable codes, standards, and client requirements. The ideal candidate is a self-starter who is a proactive team member for the projects they are supporting.

Key Responsibilities

• Prepare, edit, and maintain architectural specifications (Divisions 00 and 01, and Divisions 02-49 as applicable) for projects across multiple building types and delivery methods, including Design-Bid-Build and Design-Build.
• Coordinate specifications with drawings to ensure consistency, accuracy, and constructability.
• Collaborate with architectural and engineering teams during all project phases, from schematic design through construction documentation.
• Review consultant specifications for coordination, compliance, and integration into the overall project manual.
• Maintain firm specification standards, guide specifications, and master sections; contribute to updates related to codes, sustainability requirements, and industry best practices.
• Research materials, assemblies and products in support of use on specific projects as well as for general potential use on future projects.
• Support QA/QC reviews of construction documents to reduce risk, resolve conflicts, and improve document clarity.
• Respond to contractor RFIs related to specifications and assist with addenda, substitutions, and change documentation as needed.
• Stay current with building codes, material standards, and emerging construction technologies.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Construction Management, Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of experience as an Architectural Specifications Writer or Technical Architect with a strong specifications focus.
• Proficiency with CSI MasterFormat, SectionFormat, and PageFormat.
• Experience preparing specifications using industry-standard tools (e.g., BSD SpecLink, MasterSpec, or equivalent).
• Working knowledge of building materials, assemblies, performance criteria, and construction methods.
• Familiarity with major building codes (IBC, ADA, applicable local codes) and sustainability frameworks (LEED preferred but not required).
• Strong attention to detail, organizational skills, and ability to manage multiple projects concurrently.
• Excellent written communication skills and ability to collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.

Preferred Credentials and Skills

• Experience working on institutional, commercial, residential, or public-sector projects.
• Exposure to Design-Build or fast-track delivery environments.
• Knowledge of BIM workflows and coordination with Revit-based drawing sets.
• LEED accreditation or sustainability-focused project experience.
• CSI Certified Construction Specifier
• CSI Certified Construction Contract Administrator

Compensation Range

$149,671.54 - $171,053.19

Benefits

• Health insurance, including an option with a Health Savings Account
• Dental insurance
• Vision insurance
• Flexible Spending Accounts (Healthcare, Dependent Care and Transit and Parking where applicable)
• Disability insurance
• Life Insurance and Accidental Death & Dismemberment
• 401(k) Plan
• Retirement Counseling
• Employee Assistance Program
• Paid Time Off (starting at 16 days)
• Paid Holidays (9 days)
• Back-Up Dependent Care (up to 10 days per year)
• Parental Leave (up to 80 hours)
• Continuing Education Program
• Professional Licensure and Society Memberships

STV is committed to paying all of its employees in a fair, equitable, and transparent manner. The listed pay range is STV’s good-faith salary estimate for this position. Please note that the final salary offered for this position may be outside of this published range based on many factors, including but not limited to geography, education, experience, and/or certifications.

We know great candidates don’t always meet every qualification, and research shows women and people of color are less likely to apply unless they do. At STV, we believe strong talent comes from a wide range of backgrounds, and your skills and experience may align with this or another opportunity as we continue to grow.

STV is one of the top infrastructure-focused professional services firms in North America. Founded in 1912, STV advises, plans, designs, engineers and delivers the infrastructure that powers local economies, including transportation systems, buildings, water and other facilities. Headquartered in New York City, the company has more than 65 offices and 3,400 employees who reimagine the solutions and structures that connect our communities. The firm is ranked 32nd in Engineering News-Record’s Top 500 Design Firms survey and is 10th in its transportation category.

STV is deeply committed to investing in its people and creating a world-class employee experience. We are passionate about mentoring, coaching and cultivating our talent because we know they are destined to become the next generation of industry leaders. We’re also committed to delivering formative career experiences – and we do that by providing challenging and unique work experiences, by mapping multiple ways to advance (beyond the traditional career ladder!) and by recognizing those who successfully chart new and exciting paths for the firm. We value a wide range of perspectives and experiences, without regard to any factor or characteristic, regardless of whether it is a category protected by federal, state and/or local law, making them an integral part of how we work. Our approach ensures that every individual is respected, heard, and given opportunities to contribute meaningfully. We remove barriers and create pathways for growth, embedding fairness into our daily operations.

Learn more at stvinc.com.

STV exists to make communities better through innovative solutions that connect people, places and the present to the future. Our local teams throughout the country deeply understand the needs of their communities and have the expertise to provide solutions. We are also committed to giving back to our communities and our neighbors through volunteering and philanthropic activities; fundraising events; scholarships, internships, and mentoring; and sustainability and community improvement projects. Learn more.

STV provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information.