Principal Architect

AECOM Canada’s Buildings + Places team (B+P Canada) is seeking a Principal Architect to join our team. This position is based out of our Ottawa or Montreal offices, with hybrid work options available. 

B+P Canada is a vibrant and growing transdisciplinary team spanning architecture, building engineering, landscape architecture, urban planning, urban design, economics and asset management for large public realm and infrastructure projects.

In this role, the Principal Architect will primarily focus on leading exciting projects within the Science, Technology and Defence Research sectors.

Why AECOM?

AECOM is where design and innovation meet. We are a melting pot of ideas, cultures, and expertise, all driven by the desire to enhance community living and leave a sustainable legacy. Join us and be a part of a team that values professional growth, creative freedom, and the chance to contribute to projects that are more than just buildings—they are the backbones of communities.

Join AECOM, where your vision has the power to become the world’s reality. We are not just building structures; we are building a brighter future for all.

Job Summary: 

The Principal Architect will provide technical leadership in the delivery of very large architectural commissions (>$200M construction values) including project management, design quality, and client relationships for the duration of the projects, acting as a dedicated principal-in-charge through active, hands-on management of the integrated consultant team.

As a project leader, you will have overall control and accountability for the delivery of AECOM’s technical services, fostering a collaborative team environment and promote an integrated approach to delivering successful projects.  

As a strategic collaborator, you will lead communications and coordination with various stakeholders, including clients, communities, authorities, contractors, trades, and other consulting professionals.  

Major Responsibilities: 

• Negotiate critical and controversial issues with top level professionals internally and with client personnel.
• Actively engage in Business Development activities including presentations to current and potential clients as a technical expert.
• Make decisions and recommendations that are recognized as authoritative and have a far-reaching impact on extensive activities for architectural projects.
• Keep informed of new developments and requirements affecting the organization for the purpose of recommending changes in programs and applications.
• Interpret, organize, execute and coordinate assignments.
• Make decisions independently on technical problems and methods and represent the organization in meetings and conferences to resolve important questions and to plan and coordinate work.
• Apply advanced or state-of-the-art knowledge and experience to resolve crucial issues and/or unique conditions.
• Supervision received will be essentially administrative, with assignments given in terms of broad general objectives and limits.  

Minimum Requirements:

To be considered for this position, candidates must possess, at a very minimum: 

• University Degree in relevant field of study plus 10 (ten)+ years of experience as an Architect. To substantiate, please list as many projects as necessary to demonstrate collective 10+ years of experience, where:
  • Each project was undertaken in past 15 years (start date October 2009 or later)
  • At least one project must be a new build construction or renovation, delivered using a Design-Build or Construction Management delivery model
  • At least one project had a construction value >=$200M
• Registered Architect with the Ontario Association of Architects (OAA) and/or the Ordre des architectes du Québec (OAQ)

Demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education may be considered. 

See Preferred Qualifications below. 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Local expertise recognized within the profession and externally as an expert in Science, Technology, and Defence Research facilities, providing technical leadership in some or all those specialty areas; submitted relevant projects should demonstrate some or all the following complexity characteristics:
• Sustainable design performance where loads are significantly reduced through design achieving, or ready to achieve, net zero carbon emissions and net zero; and/or
• Control of chemical or biological process(es) (e.g., laboratory facilities, chemical distillation or reaction, disinfection, material containment, radiation, industrial processes, etc.); and/or
• A security environment using progressive security layers, like the RCMP Standard G1-206, from a minimum “public zone” up to, and including, a “security zone” that are typical to legislative buildings, laboratories, courthouses, and government facilities, and the purpose of which is to secure valuable assets and to restrict access to authorized individuals; and/or
• Layers of circulation or technical programming (e.g., research space(s) and laboratories, industrial or biological process control, hazardous materials storage, local and centralized safety systems, multiple user groups, etc.); and/or
• Intensive stakeholder and authority approval processes – government, crown corporations or public context (e.g., numerous approval bodies, ministerial or equivalent approval, etc.)
• A valid RELIABILITY STATUS security clearance, granted or approved by the CSP, PWGSC
• Certifications: Sustainability certifications and licensure with other architectural jurisdictions in North America are highly regarded
• Skills: Proficiency in BIM, MS 365, Adobe Suite, and strong communication abilities

• Company paid relocation is not available for this position.
• Sponsorship for Canadian employment authorization is not available for this position.

About AECOM

AECOM is the world’s trusted infrastructure consulting firm, delivering professional services throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. On projects spanning transportation, buildings, water, new energy and the environment, our public- and private-sector clients trust us to solve their most complex challenges. Our teams are driven by a common purpose to deliver a better world through our unrivaled technical and digital expertise, a culture of equity, diversity and inclusion, and a commitment to environmental, social and governance priorities. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm and its Professional Services business had revenue of $14.4 billion in fiscal year 2023. See how we are delivering sustainable legacies for generations to come at aecom.com and @AECOM.

Freedom to Grow in a World of Opportunity 

You will have the flexibility you need to do your best work with hybrid work options. Whether you’re working from an AECOM office, remote location or at a client site, you will be working in a dynamic environment where your integrity, entrepreneurial spirit and pioneering mindset are championed.

You will help us foster a safe and respectful workplace, where we invite everyone to bring their whole selves to work using their unique talents, backgrounds and expertise to create transformational outcomes for our clients.

AECOM provides a wide array of compensation, benefits and well-being programs to meet the diverse needs of our employees and their families. We’re the world’s trusted global infrastructure firm, and we’re in this together – your growth and success are ours too.

Join us, and you’ll get all the benefits of being a part of a global, publicly traded firm – access to industry-leading technology and thinking and transformational work with big impact and work flexibility. As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in each person’s potential, and we’ll help you reach yours.

All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.