Senior Architectural Specifications Writer

Kinetic-Design-Developmen; Springfield (MO); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flex Fridays

Comprehensive health benefits

Flexible working arrangements

401k with company match

Paid time off & holidays

Job summary

Kinetic Design + Development is seeking a Senior Architectural Specifications Writer to join the Krew. This role blends creative and technical work, turning design intent into enforceable specifications in collaboration with architects, designers, and consultants.

You will own master specification library, develop standards, and coach teams across documentation. The position offers hybrid/remote options depending on location and a path to strengthen firm-wide specifications.

Qualifications

• Significant experience preparing architectural specifications and coordinating construction documents.
• 5+ years of experience in architecture, construction, engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
• Strong knowledge of building materials, assemblies, construction methods, and industry standards.
• Ability to read and understand construction documents and technical details.

Responsibilities

• Lead the preparation, editing, coordination, and issuance of project specifications from design development through construction documents.
• Translate design intent, material selections, building systems, project conditions, and regulatory requirements into clear, enforceable specifications.
• Research products, materials, assemblies, manufacturers, codes, reference standards, and construction methods to support project requirements.
• Coordinate specifications with drawings, schedules, details, consultant documents, and other contract documents.
• Identify incomplete, conflicting, ambiguous, or high-risk technical requirements before documents are issued.

Skills

Senior Experience

Architectural specs

Coordination across docs

Deltek Specpoint

Revit

Technical writing

Education

Architectural licensure

Tools

Deltek Specpoint

Revit

Job description

Kinetic Design + Development is looking for an Senior Architectural Specifications Writer to join the Krew.

If you’re a specifications writer who thrives in both the creative and technical sides of the process, this role is for you.

NOTE: This position is available as a hybrid, remote or in office position depending on candidate location.

You’ll turn design intent, materials, building systems, and performance requirements into clear, coordinated specifications that help projects move from concept to construction with confidence. You’ll work alongside architects, designers, consultants, and technical leads to catch gaps, solve technical challenges, and make sure the written documents align with what’s happening in the drawings.

Beyond individual projects, you’ll help strengthen how Kinetic approaches specifications firm-wide. From improving our master specification library to developing smarter standards, tools, and workflows, your expertise will help reduce risk, improve quality, and make our teams more effective.

Who You Are

You’re a technically minded problem-solver who knows that great specifications are about more than filling in the blanks. You have strong judgment, sharp attention to detail, and the tenacity to see technical work through from research and coordination to final issuance.

You’re comfortable collaborating across disciplines, asking the right questions, and flagging risks before they become project problems. You share your knowledge without becoming a bottleneck, take ownership of your work, and know how to balance high standards with the right level of effort for each project. You’re humble, hungry, and smart, and you’re excited to make the whole team better.

What You’ll Do

• Lead the preparation, editing, coordination, and issuance of project specifications from design development through construction documents.
• Translate design intent, material selections, building systems, project conditions, and regulatory requirements into clear, enforceable specifications.
• Research products, materials, assemblies, manufacturers, codes, reference standards, and construction methods to support project requirements.
• Coordinate specifications with drawings, schedules, details, consultant documents, and other contract documents.
• Identify incomplete, conflicting, ambiguous, or high-risk technical requirements before documents are issued.
• Partner with Design Managers, Account Managers, project architects, interior designers, Design Coordinators, technical leads, and consultants throughout documentation.
• Coordinate requirements across architectural, interiors, structural, MEP, civil, and specialty consultant scopes as appropriate.
• Participate in milestone reviews with a focus on specification-to-drawing coordination and technical quality.
• Support teams in determining when performance, proprietary, reference-standard, or other specification approaches are appropriate.
• Support bidding and construction by interpreting specification requirements and assisting with substitutions, product equivalencies, RFIs, and submittals when your expertise is needed.
• Capture construction-phase lessons learned and use them to improve future specifications and firm standards.
• Identify recurring documentation issues that contribute to RFIs, substitutions, change orders, or construction risk, and recommend systemic improvements.
• Own and continuously improve Kinetic’s master specification library, templates, and specification workflows.
• Develop scalable standards for both repeatable Corporate programs and custom Flex projects.
• Partner with technical and operations leadership to improve coordination between specifications, Revit standards, details, schedules, and other documentation systems.
• Build practical processes that reduce duplicated research and specification effort across projects.
• Serve as a firm-wide resource for specification, product, material, and construction documentation questions.
• Coach project teams on effective specification practices and the relationship between drawings and specifications.
• Develop tools, examples, and training that strengthen technical competency across the firm.
• Mentor developing team members interested in specifications and technical architecture.
• Help establish clear responsibility boundaries between the specification writer and project technical leads so specification quality remains a shared project responsibility.

Tools You’ll Use

• Web-based specification-writing and document-management software, including Deltek Specpoint
• Revit and related documentation standards
• Construction documents, drawings, details, schedules, and consultant documentation
• Specification libraries, templates, and firm standards

What You’ll Bring

• Significant experience preparing architectural specifications and coordinating construction documents.
• 5+ years of experience in architecture, construction, engineering, or a related technical field preferred.
• Strong knowledge of building materials, assemblies, construction methods, and industry standards.
• Ability to read and understand construction documents and technical details.
• Experience coordinating specifications across architectural, interiors, and consultant documentation.
• Understanding of general project requirements, including bidding, payment, performance, and closeout.
• Experience with specification-writing and document-management tools, preferably including web-based platforms such as Deltek Specpoint.
• Strong written communication, organization, judgment, and follow-through.
• Proven ability to identify inconsistencies, coordination gaps, constructability concerns, and technical risks.
• CSI certification such as CCS (Certified Construction Specifier) is strongly valued.
• Architectural licensure is beneficial, but not required unless responsibilities expand into work requiring professional licensure.

Why Join the Krew:

Our Vision:

Kinetic Design + Development is pushing the limits of traditional architectural practice. With a focus on forward motion in technology and design principles, Kinetic is dedicated to bringing energy and innovation to each and every project and client. Kinetic is dedicated to helping clients navigate the adventure of development with ease and energy that moves them forward.

Who We Are:

People are our purpose. Kinetic was created with the idea that people – both our staff and clients – should be above everything else. The firm puts this principle in motion in work-life balance for employees and emphasis on truly getting to know our clients so we can better understand their dreams, goals, and ideas.

Benefits & Perks:

• FLEX FRIDAYS: Our standard workweek is Monday through Thursday. Need to shift a day for life stuff? No problem! Swap a weekday with Friday if/when needed.
• Comprehensive health benefits
• Flexible working arrangements
• Opportunities for internal advancement and career development
• Relaxed office environment with “smart casual” dress code
• Monthly company sponsored events (Check out our socials for pics!)
• Monday Morning Breakfasts
• Frequent Lunches
• PTO & paid company holidays (Including the entire week between Christmas and New Year!)
• Traditional & Roth 401k with a 3.5% company match
• Daily Snack Cart

Awards:

• 2026 Biz 417 Best Places to Work
• 2025 Biz 417 Best Places to Work
• 2025 ULI Impact Award
• 2024 Biz 417 Best Places to Work