Principal Architect

Overview

As Principal Architect in AECOM’s Architecture team in Manchester, you will lead design in MoJ and dormitory accommodation projects, coordinating across multidisciplinary teams and delivering high-quality design information through RIBA stages. You will act as lead designer and Technical Assessor on justice sector projects, using REVIT daily and guiding complex design packages from concept to completion. Your expertise will shape secure, compliant facilities while collaborating with clients and contractors to drive efficient delivery. This role offers meaningful impact in the justice domain and opportunities to mentor others and grow within a global infrastructure firm.

Pay / Benefits

• hybrid working options
• mandatory Wednesday office day
• 2–3 non-working at home days per week
• Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office
• Equal Opportunity Employer
• inclusive workplace culture

Responsibilities

• Lead designer within a multidisciplinary team
• Produce and coordinate REVIT and AutoCAD models and drawings
• Support design proposals for new builds, refurbishments, and upgrades
• Prepare, review and approve drawings
• Liaise with design and drafting teams across disciplines
• Deliver design packages of moderate to high complexity
• Produce detailed drawings per project standards
• Prepare specifications, reports, and data tables
• Perform material take-offs and area calculations from REVIT
• Conduct basic architectural calculations
• Review vendor, subcontractor, and 3rd party documentation
• Ensure compliance with codes, permits, and standards
• Knowledge/experience with CDE platforms for document control and coordination
• Markup drawings using Adobe PDF; use Microsoft Office effectively
• Line management and mentoring of junior staff
• Lead verification role within sector and meet sector experience requirements
• Support fee proposals, bids, and monitor hours on projects

Key requirements

• Experience in MoJ and dormitory sleeping accommodation and communal facilities
• Strong REVIT capability (preferred) and AutoCAD knowledge (essential)
• In Design and Photoshop (desirable)
• Strong understanding of construction documentation and design standards
• Experience with Common Data Environments (CDEs)
• ARB Registered Architect
• Ability to obtain BPSS and SC clearance
• High security government project experience and SC clearance (recent)
• Detail-oriented with strong coordination skills
• Confident interpreting technical specifications and instructions
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams
• Ability to lead and mentor team members

• strong collaboration and communication
• detail-oriented and coordinative
• mentoring of junior staff
• REVIT
• AutoCAD
• In Design

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