Senior Transit Facilities Architect 6

Trinnex Inc.; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 193,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith Inc. in the Chicago area seeks a Senior Transit Facilities Architect to lead the architectural design of complex transit infrastructure projects.

This is a senior technical leadership role acting as the technical authority for transit facilities, including stations and maintenance buildings. The successful candidate will manage design from concept through construction, sign and seal as Architect of Record where required, coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, and support proposals

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture; RA registration is required.
• Minimum 10 years of related experience.
• Experience with transit facilities and urban transportation projects.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally.
• Experience leading teams and mentoring junior staff.

Responsibilities

• Lead architectural design from concept through construction for transit facilities.
• Sign and seal documents as Architect of Record where required.
• Coordinate with engineering, construction, and operations teams to deliver integrated solutions.
• Support proposals, scope definition, and fee estimation for transit facility pursuits.
• Mentor junior staff and ensure consistency in technical execution.

Skills

Transit facility design

AutoCAD

Revit

Leadership

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Architecture

Tools

AutoCAD

Revit

3D modeling software

Job description

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here!

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

We are seeking a Senior Transit Facilities Architect to lead the architectural design of complex transit infrastructure projects in the Chicago area—an exceptional opportunity for an architect passionate about shaping the future of urban transportation. This is a senior technical leadership role for an architect passionate about transportation who will serve as the technical authority for transit-related facilities, including passenger stations, maintenance and storage facilities, and other transit-support buildings. The successful candidate will be responsible for delivering architectural designs from concept through construction, directing design teams, coordinating with multidisciplinary partners, and ensuring the delivery of permit- and construction-ready contract documents for active transit environments.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Leadership & Design Delivery

• Serve as the technical lead and subject matter expert for transit facility architecture projects, leveraging deep knowledge of transportation systems and urban mobility solutions.


• Lead architectural design from planning and concept development through final design and construction support.


• Act as Architect of Record where required, including signing and sealing architectural documents.


• Make and document key technical decisions, manage design risk, and uphold quality standards across projects.


• Review and approve architectural drawings, technical calculations, specifications, and design deliverables.

Coordination & Agency Engagement

• Coordinate closely with engineering, systems, construction, and operations teams to deliver integrated solutions.


• Work directly with public transit agencies, navigating agency standards, design review processes, and operational constraints while building relationships with key transportation industry stakeholders.


• Support construction-phase activities in active operating transit environments, including design clarifications and field coordination.

Multidisciplinary Team Leadership

• Lead and manage architectural scope on projects with multiple interfaces, phased construction, and ongoing transit operations.


• Apply sound judgment related to constructability, staging, maintenance, and lifecycle considerations.


• Mentor and guide junior architectural staff, ensuring consistency in technical execution and professional development.

Project Strategy & Business Development

• Contribute to proposal development, scope definition, and fee estimation for transit facility pursuits.


• Serve as Project Technical Leader on select projects and proposals, driving the technical vision of the final deliverable.


• Collaborate with project managers to manage scope, budgets, schedules, and staffing needs.

Skills & Abilities

• Technical knowledge and design application knowledge specific to transit facility design and transportation systems.


• Expert knowledge of technologies and methodologies in the use of construction materials


• Expert knowledge of Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD), preferably AutoCAD and Revit


• Familiarity with modeling and rendering software programs.


• Expert knowledge of basic business office software (Word, Excel, etc.).


• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Qualifications

• 10 years of related experience.


• Bachelor’s degree in Architecture.


• Must possess RA certification.


• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a college degree.


• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience working with public transportation agencies and urban municipalities.


• Leadership experience on projects involving dense urban conditions, constrained sites, and active operations.


• Experience developing: Project scopes of work and fee proposals. Construction plans, technical specifications, and cost estimates. Technical reports and design justification documentation.


• Ability to assign work, provide daily technical direction, and mentor junior staff.


• Experience providing day-to-day oversight of architectural or transportation facility design projects, including budget and schedule management.

#LI-MS1

#LI-HYBRID

Amount of Travel Required

10% or less

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Additional Pay Range Information

CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.

Additional Compensation

All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.

Visa Sponsorship Available

No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position

Pay Range Max

USD $192,899.00

Pay Range Min

USD $110,240.00