Specifications Writer - EV Construction

Turner & Townsend; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 120,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

Turner & Townsend is seeking a Specifications Writer who will act as the technical authority for how our EV clients’ physical infrastructure is built, maintained, and scaled globally.

You will collaborate with Design, Governance, BIM, and Engineering to research material performance, close standards gaps, and craft buildable, legally sound, cohesive technical specifications.

Qualifications

• Experience drafting and editing architectural and engineering specs for cohesive delivery.
• Knowledge of CSI MasterFormat, UniFormat, and SectionFormat structures.
• Familiarity with code and standards (IBC, NFPA, ADA, ASTM, ANSI, UL).
• Proficiency with Spec software including BSD SpecLink or MasterSpec.

Responsibilities

• Draft & evolve master specifications (Divisions 01-48) to support design standards and R&D.
• Collaborate with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, and civil engineers to align specs with architectural needs.
• Identify gaps in standards and develop new specifications from scratch.
• Research products, finishes, and equipment against durability, cost, sustainability, and codes.
• Create quality control guidelines and review tools for AOR CD submittals.
• Maintain MasterSpec/SpecLink databases and templates for production teams.
• Incorporate field lessons learned into master specifications to prevent failures.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role.

Skills

Cross-disciplinary collaboration

Technical writing

Clear technical communication

Industry frameworks knowledge

Research & code mastery

Editing architectural/engineering docs

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Architecture or Engineering

Tools

BSD SpecLink

MasterSpec

Job description

Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries. Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working inpartnershipmakes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects andprogrammesas we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success. Our capabilities includeprogramme, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions. We aremajority-ownedby CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premierprogramme, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.

Job Description

Turner & Townsend is looking for a Specifications Writer, that will serve as the technical authority defining how our EV Clients physical infrastructure is built, maintained, and scaled globally.

The Design Studio builds and governs the physical footprint of our global network of facilities. Sitting at the intersection of architecture, engineering, and procurement, our mission is to translate spatial concepts into high-performance material standards. As a Specifications Writer, you will actively collaborate with Design, Governance, BIM, and Engineering teams to research material performance, close standards gaps, and craft buildable, legally sound, and cohesive technical specifications.

Responsibilities:

• Draft & Evolve Master Specifications: Write, review, and continuously refine technical specification sections (Divisions 01 through 48) to support our evolving design standards and R&D requirements.
• Drive Cross-Disciplinary Alignment: Partner closely with mechanical, electrical, plumbing, structural, and civil engineers to ensure engineering specifications seamlessly integrate with architectural materials and spatial requirements.
• Identify & Bridge Standards Gaps: Proactively audit active design standards, identify missing specification sections, and independently research and develop new standards from scratch.
• Lead Technical & Material Due Diligence: Research and vet proposed products, finishes, and equipment against durability, cost, sustainability targets, and building codes (IBC, NFPA, ADA, ASTM, ANSI, UL).
• Establish Quality Control Guidelines: Create standardized checklists and review tools to help project managers evaluate external Architect of Record (AOR) CD submittals for brand and technical compliance.
• Maintain Specification Databases: Own and curate the studio's MasterSpec/SpecLink cloud database, keeping templates up to date and readily accessible for production teams.
• Integrate Real-World Insights: Partner with construction and operations teams to incorporate field "lessons learned" back into master specifications, preventing recurring field failures.
• SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.

Qualifications

Required Experience:

• Experience: 5–8+ years in technical specifications writing, architectural production, or A/E contract documents delivery (or equivalent technical expertise).
• Cross-Disciplinary Comfort: Demonstrated ability drafting and editing both architectural and engineering (MEP/Structural) specifications for cohesive delivery.
• Industry Frameworks: Solid understanding of CSI MasterFormat, UniFormat, and SectionFormat structures as applied to corporate facility rollouts.
• Specification Software: Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as BSD SpecLink or MasterSpec.
• Technical Research & Code Mastery: Experience evaluating material data sheets, testing standards (ASTM, ANSI, UL), and building codes (IBC, NFPA, ADA).
• Clear Technical Communication: Strong writing and editing skills with the ability to translate complex engineering concepts into concise, enforceable standards.
• Education & Background: Bachelor’s degree in Architecture, Civil/Mechanical Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent technical training/experience.

Preferred Experience:

• CSI Credentials: Certified Construction Specifier (CCS), Construction Documents Technologist (CDT), or Certified Construction Contract Administrator (CCCA).
• Industry Engagement: Active membership in SCIP (Specifications Consultants in Independent Practice) or similar organizations.
• Specialized Facility Experience: Background writing specifications for large-scale rollout programs, industrial spaces, R&D labs, EV charging infrastructure, or technical prototyping facilities.
• BIM Integration: Familiarity with aligning Revit model metadata (shared parameters, keynotes) with specification databases to enable automated "BIM-to-Spec" workflows.
• Sustainability Standards: Familiarity with sustainable building certifications (LEED, WELL) and green material specifications.

Additional Information

The salary range for this role is $120,000 - $140,000. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.

*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.

We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.

Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.

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